by Stefanie Kyak

Created on: January 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

"A Father's Love"

The day was like a painted picture. The sky was brilliantly shaded in blue while streaming clouds were splashed across the horizon. The hills and the valleys rolled across the dusty pasture land. The summer humid heat floated in the air. Gazing out into the wide land, a little girl, about the age of seven, is astounded by the monstrous view. Her bonnet lightly flapped in the gentle warm wind as her dress hung softly on her frail body. The little girl's childhood innocence playfully danced on the path as she runs to her Papa.

"Papa! Papa!" She exclaimed dashing down the path. Her eyes lit up when her Papa put the cider barrel down and opened his arms. Swinging the little girl in the air, he listened to his youngest daughter laugh to his heart's delight. Then placing her down, he tried to return to his work. Blooming with excitement, the little girl inquired, "When will you be done with your work today, Papa?"

He glanced at her and wiped the sweat off his forehead with his wrists. "I don't know, Darlin'. I've got to deliver this here barrel to Mrs. Drutherford. She lives bout three miles east from here. You know that's a long journey."

"But Papa," the little girl whimpered, "you promised you'd take me and Sarah and Johnny and Roger to the carnival in town today!"

Standing politely with her hands behind her back, the little girl waited as her Papa looked for a place to sit on the cart beside them. His soiled flannel shirt and tightly fitted jeans were covered with a day's hard work of sweat. His worn wide brim hat shadowed his face from the harsh sun.

"Come here, Darlin'." As the little girl pranced to his side, her Papa couldn't help but smile to be taking a break for someone as cute as her. "Now I know I'd promise you that I'd take you and your brothers and sister to the carnival today, but I'm afraid there's too much work to be done." A tear of disappointment fell down the little girl's face. "I'm terribly sorry, Darlin'." He felt horrible as he wiped away a tear and asked, "How much longer is the carnival going to be in town?"

Sniffling, she answered, "Two days. Then they'll be gone the mornin' after the morrow." Papa stood up and took his hat off to scratch his head in thought. Suddenly, the little girl walked over to the cider barrel with a face of determination. Placing a little bit of spit in her small hands, like she had seen Papa do earlier, she placed them on the barrel and began to push with all her strength. Only moving it half and

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>