Quote of the Week

Things fall apart so that other things can fall together. 

 - Author Unknown

Sometimes when it looks like everything is going wrong, and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel,  things have a way of working themselves out.  The bad times can be paving the way for good times ahead.

School Days

Photo courtesy of  Magpie Tales

Growing up in the South in a family of five back in the 1960s, I was the last girl born into the family, with the only boy being my younger brother, Frank.  As we each reached school age, we were sent to the St. Francis Catholic school for our education, and a continuation of our parental teachings.

The school was an old building, built back at the turn of the century and showing its age.  The wooden framing around the windows was weathered, and there were cracks where the brick and mortar had separated.  Inside, the wooden desks were polished smooth with many years of use.  Students had come and gone for generations.  Parents, their children and now their grandchildren were learning the scholarly arts at these same desks.

While some things didn't seem to change over the years, others did.  With the influx of rock and roll, flower children, hippies, drugs and the love movement, the children were subject to all manner of new evils.  The Mother Superior at St. Francis was also the principal.  It was her job to rule the children with a firm hand, and ensure they were able to take their proper place in society.

Being the youngest, it seemed Frank and I were always getting into trouble.  I could hear Sister Maria yelling across the school yard, "Jean, come here this instant young lady."  Frank was usually nearby, egging me on to even greater mischief.  The fact that I was such a tomboy was a continuing source of consternation for Sister Maria.  One day as Frank and I were playing catch, he threw the ball too high for me to catch it, and I cringed as it crashed through the library window.  It just so happened that the principal was in the library at the time, reading.  As soon as the glass shattered, we turned and ran behind some trees.  The Mother Superior heard the crash, saw the ball on the floor, and immediately called for Sister Maria.  She came on the run, yelling at the top of her voice,  "Jean, Frank, come here right NOW".  I swear to this day that even with her back to the window, that woman knew everything that happened and who was to blame. 

A work of fiction written for Magpie Tales #31.

Quote of the Week

Painting by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim

Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth. 
- Ludwig Börne



Illusions are often deeper and on a more personal level, so their loss is more of a life lesson than that of a truth  found through searching.

The Magic Apple

There was a special tree in the apple orchard - a magic tree.  It was said that anyone who ate the apples from this tree became enchanted with special powers.  Johnny had heard this story ever since he was little, but he'd never believed it.  The science geek in him wouldn't let him believe in magic, plus how would anyone get one of those apples anyway.  The story said the tree was guarded by magic.

Johnny was always getting kicked around and usually ended up being chased home by Saul, the school bully.  Today was no different.  Johnny ran all the way home with Saul hot on his heels.  Slamming the door, Johnny was safe one more time.  His mom usually left a snack for him on the counter.  She had no idea that Johnny was being bullied because he never talked about it - didn't want to show any sign of weakness.  After all he was 12 now, nearly a man in his opinion.  He should act like one, and was embarrassed about letting Saul chase him home every day.

Photo courtesy of  Magpie Tales

Johnny grabbed an apple from the bowl and headed upstairs to do his homework.  While social situations were difficult for the awkward 12-year old, his studies were a place he excelled.  He loved science and figuring out how things worked.  He was all the time doing experiements in the basement, much to his mother's dismay after the last experiment ended rather loudly.

Opening his book, he prepared for an afternoon of scientific delight.  He settled in and took a bite of his apple, while taking notes on a new project he wanted to try.  As he was reading, he began hearing strange sound.  It sounded like a kitten, but they didn't have a kitten.  "That's strange" he thought.  "I'm just imagining things."  But he kept hearing it, so he decided to follow the sound.  He went down the stairs and out the door.  The sound kept getting louder and louder, as he approached the garage.  There, behind the garbage can, he found a small, orange tabby kitten.  Wow, he thought, "I heard this kitten all the way inside, upstairs in my room."  Johnny takes the kitten into the house and offers her some milk and some tuna left over from his Mom's lunch.  "I hope you like this", he said as he pondered what just happened.

The next day after school, Johnny is on the lookout for Saul, hoping against hope to avoid him this time.  But no, there he is by the fence.  There is only one gate out of the playground, and Saul is guarding it.  "Hey, Saul, how about let's make peace?  You know, I stay out of your way, and you don't chase me home?" said Johnny hopefully.  Saul replied with a nasty grin, "Nah, ain't gonna happen.  You see, I don't like punks, and you're a punk" as he strode toward Johnny.  "You gonna run now, or do I have to teach you a lesson?"  Johnny decided that today wasn't the day to test his budding bravery, so he turned to run, as usual.  As he did, he found himself gaining speed, going faster and faster, and the trees he passed became a blur.  What?  "I thought I was getting braver, but I guess not, I'm running faster than ever"  He raised a cloud of dust behind him on the gravel road, and left Saul choking and confused.  As Johnny reached his house, instead of bouncing up the stairs one by one, he leaped to the top in one bound.  "Gee, what's the matter with me?  I can't run that fast or jump to the top of the stairs."  As he reached for the door knob, instead of opening it, he appeared on the other side.  "Whoa, this is too strange."  Could it be...?

"MOM" he called loudly, "MOM, where did you get those apples yesterday?"  "What apples", she asked?  "The ones on the counter.  I had one when I got home from school."  His mom responded with a startled look, "There were no apples on the counter yesterday.  They were out at the store, so I got some yogurts instead.  They were in the fridge."

Now Johnny began to consider what had happened to him.  Where had those apples come from?  How did they get there, and where were they now?  Could they possibly be from the magic tree, if indeed, it really did exist?  So many unanswered questions, but the thing that kept running through his head was..."I guess maybe now Saul won't be kicking me around anymore."

Written for Magpie Tales #30.

The Lock and the Key

Said the lock to the key

Will you marry me

We'll live forever more

Here upon this weathered door

It's charming and quaint

With it's peeling paint

Said the key to the lock

It's the best on the block

It's sheltered in shade

So we'll have it made

You and me together

Forever

Posted for One-Shot Wednesday