06/08/2013
A UNIQUE CANADIAN CHILDREN'S BEDTIME STORY - and free, right
here AND just in time for FATHERS DAY: With compliments:
"FATHERS AND SONS.." - by Mr. Nickle Penny.
Robin was bored silly. His dad was working all week and his mother was busy with the twins and it had rained too many days. There was nothing to do. Or, nothing he hadn't done already.
"Dad..." Robin said, when his father came home for lunch. "I'm bored silly."
"Now where did you hear that?" his father laughed.
"Mom says it sometimes," Robin said " - and there's nothing to do. Dad, can we go fishing?"
"Well," said his father, finishing up his tea. "I'd like to. I surely would. But I've to to get back to work. We'll go fishing on Sunday, like I promised."
"But I want to go right now," Robin complained. "You're always working and mom is so busy and it's never Sunday!"
"Now hold on just a minute," his father said. "Calm down. Sunday is the day after tomorrow. Why don't you play with your toys or go over and call for Billy?"
"I did that," Robin said, "and Billy's sick or something. Besides, dad, I want to go with you." Robin was pretty said.
His father looked at his watch. "My, I've got to be going," he said, and got up from the table.
"But, dad..." Robin whined.
"Robin!" his mother scolded, as she came in from the clothesline. "Leave your father alone, dear. You know he's got to get back to work."
His father put on his hat, bent down and gave Robin a quick hug. "I'll be back, Peg, as soon as I can. - See you suppertime, son." And he headed out the door.
Robin followed after him and sat down on the front steps.
His father looked back for a goodbye wave. But Robin wasn't watching. He had his head down in his hands and he looked like he was crying.
His father checked his watch again, hesitated a moment, then turned off the motor of the car and got out.
"Come here, son," he said. "Come over here and sit down."
Robin came over and put his arms around his father's big leg. "Dad, I want to come with you," he sobbed. "We never get to go anywhere..."
"I know," said his father, softly, "I know." And he picked Robin up and sat him down on the hood of the car.
"Hey, there - let's dry your eyes," and he pulled out his big, white handkerchief.
"Listen to me, son," he said. "I know it's hard. But I've got to work. It's hard on me, too. There's nothing I like more in this world than spending time with you. But people have to work, especially fathers.
There's groceries to buy and rent to pay and money for things that kids don't know anything about. And the only way I can get it, son, is to work - and to work hard."
"But every day, dad?" Robin asked, looking up at his father.
"Well, almost....we need the money. And I don't have much choice right now.
It's my job to look after the family - Number One. It's the big problem fathers all over the world have. They want to be home more, but they can't. It's hard being a father - and lonely too, sometimes. But it's our job and we try to do it. Your mother helps with
too, with her part time job at the library and her night courses, but you know
you have a little baby brother or sister on the way...
We get some time together," his father said, "now don't we? And soon, there'll be more. We're going fishing on Sunday for sure. It won't be long. And it'll be lots of fun."
"I guess so..." Robin answered.
"Hey, now," his father continued, "and we're still pretty lucky. Look, some father have to o away to work - far away. Fathers in the army, and fishermen who go on the ocean, and lots of men like that. So, see how lucky we are - we have some time together. I know it's not much. And when things are better, there will be more. I promise.
But we'll always have to work, Robin - at least until you're grown up."
Robin nodded his head.
"Now I've really got to go, son. I'm late already. You dig some worms and get them ready for Sunday, eh?"
Robin's face brightened a little. But his father still hesitated. "You understand, don't you, son?...Some day you'll have kids of your own - and, when you grow up, you'll understand more."
"Will I, dad?" Robin asked."Sure," said his father. "That's what 'grown-up' is about. Understanding. - Okay?"
"Okay," said Robin.
"Good," said his dad.
And he drove off down the street, the way fathers do.
...............................................................................................................................The End (for our other unique Canadian
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