Building Your House
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely
Wait For The Brick
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and drove the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting, "What was that all about and who are you?
Just what the heck are you doing?
That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money.
Why did you do it?"
The young boy was apologetic. "Please mister ... please, I'm sorry... I didn't know what else to do," he pleaded.
"I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."
With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car.
"It's my brother," he said.
"He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.
Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the little boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!
God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us.
It's our choice: Listen to the whisper ... or wait for the brick
Trees That Wood
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Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull." Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me." After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest. At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship. When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down. When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat. Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it. The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best |
MAISIE AND THE DOLPHIN
IN THE NAME OF GOD
This story is about American life. The United States America (the USA or US) is the fourth biggest country in the world
Theseus and the Minotaur
This story is about Theseus. Theseus was the son of tow father, Poseidon (the god of sea) and king Aegeus
The Galapagos
Sophie and David are making a movie for a famous American movie festival it is about the Galapagos Island. The Galapagos Islands are volcanoes . They are in the Pacific Ocean. Some islands are very big and some islands are very small and have no name. Many of them stay in the Town of Puerto Agora on the island of Santa Cruz there is a small town on sun Cristobal and a very small town Villain on the island of Isabella. Isabella is a big island. There is sometimes a problem because animals and birds live near the volcanoes. There is not much food and not much water. Only very strong animals can survive.
The hat
Bernardo hives in rome.he likes hats.one day he is at a street market near the colosseum.suddeny he stop.”I like that hat”and buys the hat.
Do you like my new hat?she thinks.says”why do you want another hat”bernader says.i like this hat.
The place is the Rivesville town art gallery. A man comes in. his name is harry, and he is thief. It's dark in the gallery, but harry has a light. He looks across the room at a painting. He looks at a painting. A million dollars for this .Then he takes the painting very, very slowly from is frame. Harry has room Mrs. Allen's rooming house. He goes quietly up to room and closes the door. Takes Painting from his bag. A news paper, then he puts he news paper under his bed. In the morning, On the TV, a reporter is at the Rivesville art gallery. He talks about the painting. Opens Harry's door and looks into his room. She thinks. "There's a newspaper under Harry's bed." Jenny puts the old newspapers into a black recycling box. She says. And she quickly gives the box to one of the man. Hurry is coming back to the house. He says." The newspaper! Oh, No!" hurry jumps into the back of the trunk" Why is your newspaper import, hurry?" It's two days old.my million dollar painting! Where is it? But new Jenny is looking at hurry's shoes. There's some blue glass in Harry's shoes. She remembers the photo of the blue glass vase on the TV. In the house, Jenny is talking to the police on the telephone. But there's blue glass in his shoes…Two policeman arrive quickly. Let's look at your shoe. One of the policemen takes the glass from Hurry's shoe. They find the right newspaper and they find the painting.
This story is about wonders of the wold.In ancient Greece about 2,500 years ago , the writer Herodotus made a famous list of seven great places.Today only one thing on Herodotus’s list is standing_ the Great Pyramid in Egypt.
.The Great Pyramid: This pyramid is 4,500 years old and 150 meters tall. For the anciet Egyptians , the end of life in our world was the start of another life. The pyramids were for the country’s dead rulers..The Great wall of China: The most famous wall in the world is the Great wall of China.At one time more than one million men worked on the wall and protected their country.Years ago the wall was 5 meters hight there ;now it is only about 2 meters.
Bridges,Dams and Calals:Most of our world is water, so of course water is an important part of many world’s wonders.The Akashi-kaikyo Bridge:This bridge goes from the Japanese city to Kobe Awaji Island.The biridge is very tall because ships have to go under it.Dams:River bring watwr , and water bring life to an area. But sometimes there is no water at the right time . One answer to this problem is a dam.
Canals:Some times people want a river in a new different place. What can they do?They can make an artificial river-a canalThe staue of liberty:The people if france gave the Statue of Libetry to the United States in 1884.The statue is 93 meters tall. Venice:One of the world’s most famous cities is about 120 islands.There are no big streets,but the city has 150 canals.People can go around the city in their boats or in “boat taxi” and “boat buses.Works of Rulers and Religion:People built many of the most famous building s in the world for great rulers or for their churches.The Taj Mahal:It takesits name from a woman.Shah Jahan built it when she died in 1632.
22 thousand people wrked on the building for more than 20years.
.The Eiffel Tower:Guestave Eiffel finished the tower and showed it to the world.1886.It is 324 meters.Strong winds are not a problem for the Eiffel Tower because they can go through it.
It was almost midnight when the family heard a terrible noise.mom dad and their sons ran to the deck of ship and looked at the sky. In the morning the weather was so much better. The family started to make a raft to the island.dad said: tomorrow we are going to make our new home on the island. The boys were excited. The family climbed on the raft and sailed toward the island while mom and dad made a tent out of the blankets for them all to sleep in. frits and his brothers went fishing in the ocean. Later, dad and fritz sailed back to the ship on the raft. Fritz and jack quickly learned where the chickens liked to hide their eggs, and collected them each day. Soon the weather began to change. come on boys. We are going to make a tree house, dad answered .When everything was Finished, Mom cooked them all a delicious meal. ”he island is our home now, said Dad. Come and look at this! Shouted Ernest. Our clothes were so old and dirty said Mom, but look at us now. We look great. The family lived on the island for the long time. They caught fish, drank milk, and ate eggs butter every day. When winter came, everybody was surpised. The family stayed inside duning the storms and read. One morning, when the family woke up, dad was not there. The next morning, dad took his sons to the other side of the island. this is your new home.
Said dad. Come and look at this. Ernest shouted. Our clothes were so old and dirty said mom. But look at us now. We look great. The family lived on the island for the long time. They caught fish, drank milk, and ate eggs and butter every day. When winter came, everybody was surprised. The family stayed inside duning the storms and read. One morning, when the family woke up, dad was not there. The next morning took his sons to the other side of the island. This is your new home. The boys could not belive their eyes. Finally, it was jack who found some softer rock. When the cave was ready, the family moved out of tree house. Soon the cave did not look like a cave. We have a beautiful new home. Said mom. The new house was perfect, but there was one prablem !the monkeys! They were very noisy. The years passed, and the family lived happily on the island. Mom and dad were older. One day, fritz did discover a small island with a beautiful beach. Inside was pearl. It was really beautiful. Frits read the letter. I have been on the smoking island for the long, long time. Please help me. . JENNY.
Frits was very excited. Early the next morning, fritz took his boat and began the long and difficult search for the smoking island fritz sailed for a long time before he finally saw smoke in the sky “your lucky” jenny told frits. Jenny and frits talked until morning. A few days later, frits, jenny, and her dad left the island by skip. As they went good bye, frits shouted “ .DON’T WORRY. I WILL BE BACK SOON.
This story about nelson mandela. in 1652,WHITE DUTCH PEOPLE(BOERS)WENT TO THE CAPE IN SOUTH AFRICA,
The ANCfought apartheid and they won this fight in 1994.
When he was child,nelson mandela was very happy.
His father,s three other wives and their and their children were
Also his family.nelson enjoyed the freedom of life in the country.
When nelson was sixteen years old,the chief took him to school in clarkbury.
Nelson had to study hard.when they are sixteen years old,they stop being boys.
Nelson met a teacher from the sotho trible,and his wife was a xhosa.when he was twenty-one years odl,he went to university at fort hare.
I have to make plans for my son,s ,so you are going to marry=now.
At the end of the 1942,nelson finished his university studies.
People many countries round the world protested,because the ewre angry with the sout africa government.
They arrested mandela and thirty-nine protesters.
They got some very bad food and ate it with their hands.
These men and womens did not use violence.there are some problems in the new sout africa ,but there is something more important there now-freedom,and hope.this is possible because one man loved his country and his people.
This is a story about Thesues he was very clever and he has two fathers
Thesues lived with his mother in Troezen in Greece .
Thesues was strong and he had a sword of course a king sword. This is a sword of king Aegeus.
Theseus is son of king Aegeus . King Aegeus lives in Athens. I am going to walk to my father’s home. He said to her.Thesues walked for ten days . There were many bad men on the road but he fought them. All though we should know that Aegeus had a new wife, Medea and she had son too she was angry about Theseus she wanted to kill Theseus. The king talked to Theseus you moved the rock and you have my sword .he said. You are my son .after this matter Theseus went to sail to the island. He wants kill the Minotaur. The Minotaur is halfbull and half man. That evening Ariadne went Theseus s room. Under her dress she had a knife and some string .Take theseshe said quietly to Theseus .kill the Minotaur with the knife. Theseus arrived at the door to the Minotaur. He sees it .The Minotaur his had goes his knife and the string falls to the floor .The Minotaur s eyes open at the noise and it moves quickly. But in the end Minotaur is on the floor .It is dead . Where was the door? Theseus remember and then to rhe bout and there were Ariadne and the young Athenians. Theseus remember you promise .Ariadne said. Athens .
The cup in the forest
Per and his girlfriend ,live in a big town in Norway .They are on holiday in the country.They are driving on a road near a big forest .
It's beautiful here,per says.Let's stop the car and walk in the forest.But the forest is very dark and quiet .I don't like this place,Nina says.I'm cold.Let's go back to the car .
Suddenly,Per falls over a tree.
Are you OK?Nina asks.
Yes,Per answers.Then he sees some old stones.These are very strange stones ,he says.He moves them with his hands.They are very heavy.There's a hold under the stones .he says .He puts his hand into the hold.
Be careful ,Nina says.
Perhaps an animal lives in there.
Per takes his hand from the hold .He has an old cup in his hand.
Look at this old cup ,Nina !he says.It's vary interesting .But why is it here?And look!!There are some strange Words on it.
Nina looks at the cup too.It's beautiful ,she says.she looks again.And very expensive !she thinks.
The forest is very dark and cold.
Let's go now ,Nina says.I don't like forest.
What is it?Nina asks.
Per looks into the trees .There's man there ,he says.
Nina looks too .I can't see a man ,she says .
Per looks again .You're right ,he says.It's only a tree.
Per and Nina drive to a small town .
It's getting dark,per says .Let's stay in this town
They find a small hotel .The people are very friendly .
I like this hotel ,Nina says .Let's stay here.Near the hotel is a museum.
We can take the cup to the museum in the morning ,Per says .We can ask the curator about it.
Nina screams and screams.
she cant's stop the car and she can't see the road .His eyes are cold and strange .They are the eyes of a dead man .
The car leave the road and hits a tree.Then it falls into a river .The water closes over the car .It is very quiet .The cat,Nina and the cup are in the river .
Later ,the police come amd take the car from the river .
There's a girl in here,he says.She's dead.
Per is there too.Suddenly ,he sees a man .The man is walking into the forest .
The ghost of Hakon ! Per thinks .He is very afraid.But Hakon is walking away now.He has his cup
In the name of God
This story about David and Brain. They are motorcycle racers from England. This time they are going to Brazil. Racers from many countrise are going there. They are all going to racer across The Amazon jungle.The Amazon rally starts. The first day is ok . The roads are good. On the second day the roads are not very good. On the third day the racers are in the jungle. The roads are very bad. This is David answer:
(this is our second day in the jungle .the rain not never stops and the road is very bad).
On the third day in the jungle, Brain and David stops and looking for the town of Una-Una they hear a noise .suddenly they see some men they are walking to Brain and David. David asks: who are they ?they are …Indians. These Indians are very angry .A woman with blue eyes comes and talks to Brain and David .David asks : why are you angry ? Astrid says :are you miners ? the miners want this place some times they come here and they kill Indians .Brain and Chrauak take the road to Una-Una
They arrive in Una- Una. they meet capitan silva at the police station and Brain talks to him .two miners find David and catch him. David thinks: they are going to kill me.
Chief maoni has two beautiful neckleces in his hand .he gives a red and a Black neckles to Brain and David .the champions are Luigi and Enrico ,the two Italians. Brain and David talk to Enrico and Luigi a bout the Indians and miners .Luigi says : you are champions, too. Brain and David look at their Indians necklaces.
برای دانلود خلاصه داستان Mr Bean که بسیار داستان جالبی است بر روی لینک زیر کلیک کنی.
نویسنده خلاصه داستان:امیرحسن آذرفر
دانلود کتاب شازده کوچولو به زبان انگلیسی و ترجمه آن.
کتاب را از اینجا دانلود کنید.
ترجمه این کتاب با صدای احمد شاملو
Prophet Moses
Israel's family decided
to stay in Egypt. For a
long time they were
happy. The family grew.
There were many people
related to Israel and they
became known as the
Bani Israel
For some reason the
Egyptian people did not
like the Bani Israel.
A new pharaoh became ruler
of Egypt. Israel's people
became slaves to the
government. They were forced
to do many unpleasant jobs
and were treated very badly
One night pharaoh had a
dream. His high priest, Haman,
told him what he thought the
dream meant. An Israel boy would be born
and he would grow up and cause
the death of pharaoh
This made pharaoh very
angry and so he thought of
a horrible plan.
All the boys born to the
Israilites would be
killed at birth.
He thought this would
stop the dream from
coming true.
Imran and his wife had two
children, a girl called Maryam
and a boy called Haroun. Soon
after pharaoh told of his
plan, Imran's wife found out that
she was going to have another
baby.
They were pleased but they were
also worried that if the baby was
a boy, he would be killed
She did not tell anyone that she was
going to have a baby. She stayed at
home and kept her secret until the
baby was born
It was a boy.
She loved the baby very much but
realized that if she kept him, he
might be killed
She put the baby in a special
box and Maryam went with her
to the river Nile
They carefully put the box in
the river and prayed that it
would sail to safety
Allah was watching over the
baby. No harm would come
to him
The box sailed into pharaoh's
gardens. Some maids were there
and saw the box caught in the
bulrushes. They pulled it out
and were amazed to find a
beautiful baby inside.
They took him to pharaoh's wife,
Asia, who looked at him and
knew at once that he was an Israeli
pharaoh wanted to kill the
baby but Asia cried and
cried and was so upset that
eventually he said she could
keep him and even adopt him.
The baby was called Moses.
He was not happy. He cried
because he was hungry but
would not take milk from
anyone
Maryam heard of this and she let
it be known that she knew someone
who might be able to help.
She went to her mother
and told her
what had
happened. They
went to the
palace and when
Moses was put
in her arms he
stopped crying
and took milk
from her
Moses and his
mother were reunited.
She was able to look after
Moses for a long time and
he loved her dearly
One fine evening a young princess put on her bonnet and clogs, and went out to take a walk by herself in a wood; and when she came to a cool spring of water with a rose in the middle of it, she sat herself down to rest a while. Now she had a golden ball in her hand, which was her favourite plaything; and she was always tossing it up into the air, and catching it again as it fell.
After a time she threw it up so high that she missed catching it as it fell; and the ball bounded away, and rolled along on the ground, until at last it fell down into the spring. The princess looked into the spring after her ball, but it was very deep, so deep that she could not see the bottom of it. She began to cry, and said, 'Alas! if I could only get my ball again, I would give all my fine clothes and jewels, and everything that I have in the world.'
Whilst she was speaking, a frog put its head out of the water, and said, 'Princess, why do you weep so bitterly?'
'Alas!' said she, 'what can you do for me, you nasty frog? My golden ball has fallen into the spring.'
The frog said, 'I do not want your pearls, and jewels, and fine clothes; but if you will love me, and let me live with you and eat from off your golden plate, and sleep on your bed, I will bring you your ball again.'
'What nonsense,' thought the princess, 'this silly frog is talking! He can never even get out of the spring to visit me, though he may be able to get my ball for me, and therefore I will tell him he shall have what he asks.'
So she said to the frog, 'Well, if you will bring me my ball, I will do all you ask.'
Then the frog put his head down, and dived deep under the water; and after a little while he came up again, with the ball in his mouth, and threw it on the edge of the spring.
As soon as the young princess saw her ball, she ran to pick it up; and she was so overjoyed to have it in her hand again, that she never thought of the frog, but ran home with it as fast as she could.
The frog called after her, 'Stay, princess, and take me with you as you said,'
But she did not stop to hear a word.
The next day, just as the princess had sat down to dinner, she heard a strange noise - tap, tap - plash, plash - as if something was coming up the marble staircase, and soon afterwards there was a gentle knock at the door, and a little voice cried out and said:
'Open the door, my princess dear,
Open the door to thy true love here!
And mind the words that thou and I said
By the fountain cool, in the greenwood shade.'
Then the princess ran to the door and opened it, and there she saw the frog, whom she had quite forgotten. At this sight she was sadly frightened, and shutting the door as fast as she could came back to her seat.
The king, her father, seeing that something had frightened her, asked her what was the matter.
'There is a nasty frog,' said she, 'at the door, that lifted my ball for me out of the spring this morning. I told him that he should live with me here, thinking that he could never get out of the spring; but there he is at the door, and he wants to come in.'
While she was speaking the frog knocked again at the door, and said:
'Open the door, my princess dear,
Open the door to thy true love here!
And mind the words that thou and I said
By the fountain cool, in the greenwood shade.'
Then the king said to the young princess, 'As you have given your word you must keep it; so go and let him in.'
She did so, and the frog hopped into the room, and then straight on - tap, tap - plash, plash - from the bottom of the room to the top, till he came up close to the table where the princess sat.
'Pray lift me upon chair,' said he to the princess, 'and let me sit next to you.'
As soon as she had done this, the frog said, 'Put your plate nearer to me, that I may eat out of it.'
This she did, and when he had eaten as much as he could, he said, 'Now I am tired; carry me upstairs, and put me into your bed.' And the princess, though very unwilling, took him up in her hand, and put him upon the pillow of her own bed, where he slept all night long.
As soon as it was light the frog jumped up, hopped downstairs, and went out of the house.
'Now, then,' thought the princess, 'at last he is gone, and I shall be troubled with him no more.'
But she was mistaken; for when night came again she heard the same tapping at the door; and the frog came once more, and said:
'Open the door, my princess dear,
Open the door to thy true love here!
And mind the words that thou and I said
By the fountain cool, in the greenwood shade.'
And when the princess opened the door the frog came in, and slept upon her pillow as before, till the morning broke. And the third night he did the same. But when the princess awoke on the following morning she was astonished to see, instead of the frog, a handsome prince, gazing on her with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen and standing at the head of her bed.
He told her that he had been enchanted by a spiteful fairy, who had changed him into a frog; and that he had been fated so to abide till some princess should take him out of the spring, and let him eat from her plate, and sleep upon her bed for three nights.
'You,' said the prince, 'have broken his cruel charm, and now I have nothing to wish for but that you should go with me into my father's kingdom, where I will marry you, and love you as long as you live.'
The young princess, you may be sure, was not long in saying 'Yes' to all this; and as they spoke a brightly coloured coach drove up, with eight beautiful horses, decked with plumes of feathers and a golden harness; and behind the coach rode the prince's servant, faithful Heinrich, who had bewailed the misfortunes of his dear master during his enchantment so long and so bitterly, that his heart had well-nigh burst.
They then took leave of the king, and got into the coach with eight horses, and all set out, full of joy and merriment, for the prince's kingdom, which they reached safely; and there they lived happily a great many years.
Fannie Poteet sat cross-legged on her Uncle John's front porch; her favorite rag doll clutched under one arm. The late afternoon sun shone through the leaves of the giant oak tree, casting its flickering light on the cabin. This golden motion of light entranced the child and she sat with her face turned upward, as if hypnotized. The steady hum of conversation flowed from inside of the cabin.
"Ellen, I'm sure happy that you came to church with us today. Why don't you spend the night? It's getting awfully late and it will be dark before you make it home."
"I'll be fine Sally," replied Fannie's mother. "Anyhow, you know how Lige is about his supper. I left plenty for him and the boys on the back of the stove, but he'll want Fannie and me home. Besides, he'll want to hear if Sam Bosworth's wife managed to drag him into church."
The laughter that followed her mother's statement broke the child's musings and she stood up, pulled her dress over the protruding petticoat, and stepped inside.
"Get your shawl Fannie. When the sun goes down, it'll get chilly."
As the little girl went to the chair by the fireplace to retrieve her wrap, her uncle came in from the back with a lantern.
"You'll need this Ellen. The wick is new and I've filled it up for you."
"I appreciate it Johnny," Ellen said. "I'll have Lige bring it back when he goes to town next week."
Ellen kissed her younger brother good-bye and hugged Sally gently. Patting her sister-in-law on her swollen belly, she said," I'll be back at the end of the month. Don't be lifting anything heavy. If that queasy feeling keeps bothering you, brew some of that mint tea I left in the kitchen. Lord knows I've never seen a baby keep its mammy so sick as much as this one has. It's a boy for sure."
Upon hearing this, Fannie frowned. She was the youngest in her family, and the only girl. After living with four brothers, she had prayed fervently to God every night for Him to let her aunt have a girl. The only other comfort she had was the pretty rag doll that her mother had made for her. Tucking the doll under her left arm and gathering the shawl with the same hand, she stood waiting patiently. Aunt Sally kissed her lightly on the cheek and squeezed Fannie gently. "If I have a girl, I hope that she will be as sweet as you," her aunt whispered. Uncle John patted her on the head and said, "Bye Punkin. When that old momma cat has her kittens, I'll give you the pick of the litter."
This brought a smile to Fannie's face and swept away the darkening thoughts of boys.
Ellen secured her own shawl about her shoulders and tossing one side around and over again, picked up the lantern, which had already been lit. Taking Fannie's right hand, the pair proceeded on the three-mile trek back home. Heavy rains during the last week had left the dirt road virtually impassable for anyone on foot. Ellen and her daughter would return home the way they had come, by following the railroad track. The track was about one half mile above the road. It wound and wound around the mountains and through the valleys carrying the coal and lumber, which had been harvested from the land. Once on the track, they proceeded in the direction of their own home. Ellen began to tell Fannie about the trains and all of the distant places they went to. The little girl loved hearing her mother's stories of all the big cities far away. She had been to town only a few times and had never traveled outside of Wise County. Fannie remembered her papa talking about his brother Jack.
Uncle Jack had left the county, as well as the state of Virginia. He was in a faraway place called Cuba, fighting for a man called Roosevelt. She wondered what kind of place Cuba was, and if it was anything like home.
The sun's last rays were sinking behind the tree-studded mountains. Shadows rose ominously from the dense woods on both sides of the track. Rustling sounds from the brush caused Fannie to jump, but her mother's soothing voice calmed her fears.
"It's all right Child; just foxes and possums."
A hoot owl's mournful cry floated out of the encroaching darkness and Fannie tightened her grip on her mother's hand.
Finally, night enveloped the landscape, and all that could be seen was the warm glow of the lantern and the shadow of the figures behind it. It was a moonless night, and the faint glow of a few stars faded in between the moving clouds. Fannie tripped over the chunks of gravel scattered between the ties and Ellen realized that her daughter was tired.
"We'll rest awhile child. My guess is that we have less than a mile to go."
Ellen set the lantern down and the weary travelers attempted to get comfortable sitting on the rail.
"Mammy, it's so scary in the dark. Will God watch over us and protect us?"
"Yes, Fannie. Remember what that new young preacher said in church today. The Good Lord is always with you, and when you need His strength, call out His name. Better still, do what I do."
"What's that mammy?"
"Well," Ellen said, stroking her daughter's hair," I sing one of my favorite hymns."
While contemplating her mother's advice, Fannie was distracted by a sound. The sound came from the direction they had traveled from, and the girl's eyes peered into the ink like darkness. It was very faint, but unlike the other noises she had grown used to along the way. The slow methodic sound was someone walking, and coming in their direction.
"Mammy, do you hear that?"
"Hear what child?"
Fannie moved closer to her mother and said, "It's somebody else coming!"
Ellen gave her daughter a comforting hug and replied," You're just imagining things Fannie. We've rested enough. Let's get on home. Your papa will be worried."
Ellen picked up the lantern, took Fannie's hand, and the two resumed their journey. After a while, the sound that had unnerved the little girl began again. This time the steps were more distinct, and definitely closer. The distant ringing of heavy boots echoed in the dark.
"Mammy, I hear it again!"
"Hush child."
Ellen swung the lantern around.
"See, there's nothing there."
Fannie secured the grip on her mother's hand and clutched her rag doll tightly. The hoot owl continued its call in the distance, and the night breeze rustled the leaves in the trees.
"The air sure smells like rain," said Ellen. "The wind is picking up a mite too. We'll be home soon, little girl. Yonder is the last bend."
Fannie found comfort in her mother's voice, but in the darkness behind them, the steps rang louder. It was the sound of boots, heavy hobnail boots.
"Mammy, it's getting closer!"
Ellen swung the lantern around again and said, "Child, there's nothing out there. Tell you what; let's sing "Precious Lord".
Fannie joined in with her mother, but her voice quivered with fear as the heavy steps came closer and closer. She couldn't understand why her mother seemed oblivious to the sound.
Ellen's singing grew louder, and up ahead the warm glow of light from their own home glimmered down the side and through the trees. A dog barking in the distance brought the singing to an abrupt end.
"See child, we're almost home. Tinker will be running up to meet us. Big old Tinker. He's chased mountain lions before. He'll see us safely home."
"Let's hurry then Mammy. Can't you hear? It's closer and I'm scared. Let's run!"
"All right child, but see, I'm telling you there's nothing there."
Ellen made another sweep around with the lantern and as they proceeded she cried out, "Here Tinker! Come on boy!"
The dog raced up the path leading to the track and the two nearly collided with him as they stepped down on the familiar trail to home.
"Ellen, is that you?"
Fannie's heart filled with joy as her father's voice rang out of the darkness.
"Yes Lige. I'm sorry we're so late. I'm afraid I walked a bit fast for this child. She's worn out."
Elijah picked up his daughter and carried her the rest of the way home. Once inside of the cabin, Ellen helped Fannie undress and gently tucked her in bed.
The comforting sounds of her parents' voices drifted from the kitchen. Even the snores of her brothers in the back made her smile and be thankful that she and her mother were safe and sound. Before closing her eyes, her mother's voice rang in her ears.
"Lige, I heard the steps. I didn't want to frighten the child. I kept singing and swinging the lantern around and telling her there was nothing to be afraid of. But Lige, just before we got off the tracks, I turned the lantern around one last time. That's when I saw what was following us. I saw the figure of a man. A man without a head!"
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