{"id":4259,"date":"2019-03-27T03:29:18","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T03:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.incirliseviye.com\/?p=4259"},"modified":"2019-03-27T03:29:18","modified_gmt":"2019-03-27T03:29:18","slug":"wee-beasties-a-christmas-tale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/?p=4259","title":{"rendered":"Wee Beasties: A Christmas Tale"},"content":{"rendered":"

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,<\/em><\/p>\n

In proving foresight may be vain;<\/em><\/p>\n

The best-laid schemes o\u2019 mice an\u2019 men<\/em><\/p>\n

Gang aft agley,<\/em><\/p>\n

An\u2019 lea\u2019e us nought but grief an\u2019 pain,<\/em><\/p>\n

For promis\u2019d joy!<\/em><\/p>\n

Still thou art blest, compar\u2019d wi\u2019 me<\/em><\/p>\n

The present only toucheth thee:<\/em><\/p>\n

But, Och! I backward cast my e\u2019e.<\/em><\/p>\n

On prospects drear!<\/em><\/p>\n

An\u2019 forward, tho\u2019 I canna see,<\/em><\/p>\n

I guess an\u2019 fear!<\/em><\/p>\n

From \u201cTo a Mouse\u201d by Robert Burns<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The day after Christmas, the year Daddy Jim\u2019s truck caught on fire, I was 8 and the only kid on the farm. You\u2019d think it would be heaven \u2014 two grandparents, two parents, two uncles, an aunt, and a great-grandmother, all giving me presents at once, but I didn\u2019t like it.<\/p>\n

Of course, on Christmas Day, being the only one wasn\u2019t bad. But after opening up all the packages, I was also the only one to pick up the bright paper and put it in the recycling bag and pull the ribbons off and save them for next year. Plus, my parents, who were usually pretty good at playing with me, were busy.<\/p>\n

When I asked Mom if she would help me put together the model dinosaur I got, she put her hands on her hips like she does and said, \u201cHoney, you know I\u2019ve got this big meal to prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, I didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

She put a warm hand on my back and gently pushed me towards Dad, who was watching football with my uncles and aunt. I figured he would play with me because we didn\u2019t even have a television at home, and I didn\u2019t think he liked football. That\u2019s what he told Mom anyway. But when I asked him, he said kind of quiet like, \u201cAfter the game, kiddo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daddy Jim saw I was bored, so he started in teasing me.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s school, Little Lady?\u201d Daddy Jim would ask, his booming voice filling the room. \u201cYou break any hearts yet with that pretty face and sweet smile?\u201d Of course, he usually asked the question in front of my two uncles who had these goofy grins on their faces waiting for my answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Daddy Jim,\u201d I would say, flipping my long brown hair back so he could see my pretty face, \u201cyou know I\u2019m not interested in boys, yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to hear it. But you didn\u2019t answer my question about school, now. How do you like third grade?\u201d<\/p>\n

So I\u2019d tell all about third grade and how I especially liked math, but hated writing, not really writing, I wished they would let me write on the computer because I liked that but handwriting was a pain, really. My hands all cramped, and how come I have to hand write when I\u2019m going to be writing on a computer all the time when I grow up? I told him all that and he just laughed. I guess at the way I said the things I said.<\/p>\n

When I told him all these things, when he laughed, he seemed younger somehow. I thought even he might play with me, with the walkie-talkies he gave me for Christmas. \u201cMaybe later\u201d was all he said as he settled back to watch the game.<\/p>\n

Bored, I went into the kitchen to ask Mama Sue for a drink. I just asked her for a drink, one drink, so she pulled out cranberry juice, which she should have known by then I can\u2019t stand, and apple juice which I liked okay and regular milk which I still can\u2019t drink because I\u2019m lactose intolerant and soy milk which is, well, soy milk. My mom put chocolate in it so it was okay, I guess.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have that Coke?\u201d I asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think your mama lets you drink caffeine, darlin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about that Sprite?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, okay, but don\u2019t tell your mother. She doesn\u2019t want you drinkin\u2019 many, you know.\u201d She pulled the drink down from the shelf and popped the top for me, leaning down to get to my level. I knew what was coming. \u201cHow\u2019s school, sugar?\u201d<\/p>\n

So I told her. The story was a little different this time. I told Mama Sue about reading and how much I loved it. Mama Sue was a librarian at the public library, so she liked to hear about that. I also told her about my teacher and how I felt that I had been unjustly treated by being punished with all the talkers when I hadn\u2019t been one of the ones to talk. I always told Mama Sue about the injustices in my life because she listened and didn\u2019t lecture me about it being just life and everything like my mother did.<\/p>\n

I had to answer the \u201cHow\u2019s school?\u201d question a few more times before it was done, but when it was finally finished and nobody would play with me, I settled into a little corner behind the Christmas tree to read the books I got from Mama Sue. Next thing I knew, my mom was calling me. She always waited until I was busy doing something before she ever called my name.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllen!\u201d She called and I didn\u2019t answer. \u201cEllen?\u201d I still didn\u2019t answer. \u201cI know you\u2019re in there by the tree readin\u2019. Now, come on. You want to go with Daddy Jim to get the horse feed, don\u2019t you? He wants to go now during halftime.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was it. Finally, something to do. I was out of my cubby like a shot and putting my riding boots and coat and hat that I kept by the door. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say so, Mom?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I thought I just did say so.\u201d<\/p>\n

I tugged on the left boot and huffed. It was always the tough one. \u201cHe hadn\u2019t left yet has he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mom paused from taking out the butter and putting it on the counter to put her hands on her hips. \u201cDo you think Daddy Jim would go anywhere without you if he could help it?\u201d she said, smiling.<\/p>\n

I smiled back and opened up the door, rushing out the door so fast I forgot to let the screen door close easily and it banged shut. I heard Mom yelling to close the door lightly, like she always did, but it was muffled by the door and I ignored her. Daddy Jim was waiting in the old truck and reached over to open the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, little girl,\u201d he said smiling, \u201cThe horses are hungry, and I want to get back for the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n

I grabbed the doorframe and seat and grunted as I swung up in the big truck. The vinyl on the sides of the doors and the carpet covering on the seats were faded and ripped. On the floor lay little mounds of moldy looking hay.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt smells kind of funny in this old truck,\u201d I said, wrinkling my nose.<\/p>\n

Daddy Jim sniffed the air. \u201cFunny? I don\u2019t smell anything.\u201d With that, he put the truck in gear. I looked down to watch his big hands, wrinkled and covered with dark spots, jerking the stiff stick around. The truck finally moved, bucking, before it settled into a steady rhythm, and we headed down the gravel drive.<\/p>\n

I moved around uncomfortably in my seat, feeling a spring sticking up through the cracked vinyl. \u201cAre you ever going to get a new truck, Daddy Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if I can help it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t want to spend the money. Besides I kind of like this old gal. She\u2019s been faithful for 30 years.\u201d He patted the dashboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d I said, moving closer to the window where the padding was thicker.<\/p>\n

We were quiet then, and I leaned close to the window, my breath fogging up the glass. I was amazed as usual how green everything was here in the winter. My mom told me it was winter grass the farmers planted; you had to live far enough south for it to grow. The black cattle stood bold against the bright green grass and the evergreens crowded the side of the road, dressed in a darker green.<\/p>\n

It seemed like a long time, the trip to Dodson, the closest town that was big enough to have a feed store. Gray\u2019s Feed and Seed was an old yellow building in the center of town. It still had wooden floors, and I usually went in just to hear the sound of them beneath my feet, but Daddy Jim told me to stay in the truck, of course. Soon he was back, though, followed by a tall man in dirty overalls who slung the 50-pound sacks easily into the back of the truck. It didn\u2019t seem to bother him that the tailgate on Daddy Jim\u2019s truck didn\u2019t work anymore.<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas,\u201d said Daddy Jim, shaking the man\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

The man smiled, his teeth white against his dark, leathery skin. Then he sniffed the air, putting his hands on his hips. \u201cMr. Jim,\u201d he said, \u201cdo you smell somethin\u2019 kind of funny?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daddy Jim turned and sniffed. \u201cWhy, I suppose it smells kind of smoky, don\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon somebody\u2019s got a wood fire. It is right chilly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon so. It doesn\u2019t take much to make a skinny man cold,\u201d said the man and the two stood there, laughing and talking a while.<\/p>\n

I squirmed in my seat, getting bored.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a fine young man,\u201d Daddy Jim said, finally climbing into the truck. He had to slam the door a couple of times before it stayed closed. \u201cHe always has a handshake and a smile for me.\u201d He slapped me on the knee, told me to buckle up, and we were on our way.<\/p>\n

Daddy Jim talked a lot going back, about how much he liked the sun catcher I painted for him that said, \u201cGranddads are Special.\u201d But when I told him that I thought the walkie-talkies were the greatest and could we go out in the pasture and play with them when we got back, he said he\u2019d be watching the second half of the game. I tried not to be too disappointed.<\/p>\n

After that I started noticing the smell again. But it was stronger this time. \u201cDaddy Jim?\u201d I said, \u201cIt smells like maybe something\u2019s burnin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t smell anything,\u201d he said, but sniffed the air anyway.<\/p>\n

He drove on, but I squirmed down into my seat and stared out the window at the trees.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the truck lurched. I grabbed the dashboard. Looking ahead of me, I saw smoke billowing out of the sides of the truck. \u201cDaddy Jim!\u201d I cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see it! I see it! Truck\u2019s on fire!<\/em>\u201d He turned the wheel hard and stopped with a jerk, yelling, \u201cGet out of the truck, baby! Get out!\u201d<\/p>\n

I started crying and fumbling with the door handle but in my panic couldn\u2019t open the door. \u201cDaddy Jim! Daddy Jim! I can\u2019t get it open.\u201d Then, the door was open and my grandfather was pulling me from the truck. He was breathing hard, and when I looked in his face, it was white.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay?\u201d He asked, pushing back my hair from my face. \u201cYou all right?\u201d He carried me away from the truck.<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t speak so I nodded, then looked back at the car. The smoke was just barely curling up through the sides of the hood now. I saw something moving and tried to get closer. Daddy Jim pulled me back. \u201cNo, baby, we got to stay away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut there\u2019s something moving. See?\u201d I pointed at the truck. The smoke had lessened now, and we crept closer to the vehicle.<\/p>\n

Daddy Jim stopped suddenly and peered close to the truck. Then, he laughed out loud. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be,\u201d he said, \u201cThe wee beasties.\u201d Then, he sniffed the air. \u201cSmell that, honey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, huh,\u201d I said, sniffing the air too. \u201cI do. It\u2019s what I smelled before. Smells like when Daddy burns leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. Look now!\u201d He pointed to the truck. \u201cThere\u2019s another one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother one what?\u201d I asked, trying to follow his finger as it pointed. Then I saw it, a little brown body against the rusted silver truck, scrambling for its life. Climbing down the tires now, it dropped onto the green grass and headed for the pines. \u201cIt\u2019s a mouse!\u201d I squealed with delight.<\/p>\n

Daddy Jim chuckled. \u201cI know what was burning. Leaves. Those mice made themselves a nice little home in that old truck they did. Made a bed of leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

I shook my head. \u201cWhat silly mice!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Daddy Jim said, \u201cI guess it was right smart. Till I started up the old truck to get horse feed.\u201d He kneeled beside me, putting an arm around me. \u201cThe best laid plans of mice and men…\u201d His voice trailed off. He just stared at the smoldering truck as his breath, his heart, slowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why did it take them so long, I wonder. Why didn\u2019t they run out right away?\u201d<\/p>\n

I looked up at Daddy Jim, the color coming back in his face. \u201cMaybe they were just scared,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

Daddy Jim nodded. \u201cMaybe,\u201d he said. \u201cMaybe.\u201d He got back up, slowly, holding a hand to his side. \u201cAll I know is it\u2019s a miracle they survived. Don\u2019t see how they could have, but they did, didn\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey sure did,\u201d I said giggling, and Daddy Jim just laughed.<\/p>\n

He looked back at the truck. \u201cLooks like it\u2019s gone totally out now. Let\u2019s take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d I said, sounding like Mom.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will. It was just those leaves burning, but it gave me a start. Enough to get the blood pumping that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh huh,\u201d I said, feeling my own heart still thumping wildly against my chest.<\/p>\n

He went around the truck; I covered my ears and ducked my head. \u201cBe careful<\/em>,\u201d I whispered so he couldn\u2019t hear. \u201cBe careful<\/em>.\u201d I heard him pop the hood and looked up to watch him walk around to it. The smoke had stopped now. I took my hands from my ears. Daddy Jim\u2019s head disappeared under the hood.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, yep. It was those mice all right. Bunch of leaves caught on fire. That\u2019s all.\u201d He looked down around him on the ground and moved to pick up a long, sturdy stick. Then, he came back and using the stick, removed the remaining leaves. \u201cThat ought to do it. Bye, bye, Mickey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy Jim,\u201d I said, my hands on my hips. \u201cPoor little mice, losing their home on the day after Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least they didn\u2019t lose their lives,\u201d he said and climbed into the truck. \u201cAnd I still got my truck.\u201d He gestured for me to follow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it safe?\u201d I wasn\u2019t too sure I wanted to climb into an old truck that was just on fire.<\/p>\n

He leaned over and opened the door. \u201cIt\u2019s safe. Don\u2019t you trust me?\u201d Then, he smiled. I still hesitated. \u201cWhen we get home, maybe we could take those walkie-talkies out in the pasture after all. We can plan our mission on the way back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d I said, thinking of the adventures ahead and climbing into the truck. The smoky, moldy smell greeted me. \u201cIt smells worse than ever,\u201d I said, holding my nose and waving my hand in front of my face<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Daddy Jim said, \u201cI know.\u201d He took a deep breath of the smoky air and cranked the engine. It started up without a sputter. \u201cBut she still runs smooth, don\u2019t she?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane, In proving foresight may be vain; The best-laid schemes o\u2019 mice an\u2019 men Gang aft agley, An\u2019 lea\u2019e us nought but grief an\u2019 pain, For promis\u2019d joy! Still thou art blest, compar\u2019d wi\u2019 me The present only toucheth thee: But, Och! I backward cast my e\u2019e. On prospects … <\/p>\n

Read more “Wee Beasties: A Christmas Tale”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4259\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}