The Wee Ones- Chapter 13

 

  The Wee Ones

 

A novel

By Paul McCann

Chapter 13

 

Switching Trains

In vision valley there lived a young boy called Sammy . He was innocent and a decent lad . Unfortunately Sammy was born blind and even though he grew up lonely he always had a positive outlook on life . He was taught by the blind society how to find his way around . Before he had a blind dog he was trained how to walk from hole to the  green grocers store . He counted how many steps from his front door to the first turn on the corner and then how many steps to the traffic lights where he waited and crossed over together with the people who were there . His sense of hearing was amazing and even through he had lost one of his senses he had gained an extra sense . Sammy had been given an inner vison where he saw and spoke to those who were called the wee ones  . They often guided him and made him aware if ever he was in danger .

Sammy had a few hours work in the  green grocers , packing potatoes and fruit into cardboard boxes before the owner Mr Wright weighed and loaded them for delivery

Mr Wright wasn’t very nice to Sammy and made him  work hard but Sammy was  glad of the job because it made him feel useful and he was able to help his parents with the bills at home . One day Sammy had to work late as Mr Wright asked him to make a special delivery to Mrs O Hara who had ordered a box of  fruit the day before

Sammy was a little worried about venturing intro areas he wasn’t sure of but he knew and Mrs O’Hara lived in the next village . However he told Mr Wright that said he the wee ones would help him to do the job . So Mr Wright handed Sammy his train fare and the box of fruit to be delivered and Sammy set off towards Vision Valley railway station . He had a pretty good knowledge of most of the streets around Vision Valley as he was trained by the blind society how to get around unassisted .

Sammy listened and followed behind the footsteps of girls in high heel shoes , thay always made it easy for him to find his way on the concrete footpath . Up the hill he went to the top of the town and then around to the corner to the train station .

ones alerted pedestrians of his situation . Most people were aware of Sammys condition and always made way for him .

With his special delivery to do before he could go home for his dinner Sammy had this awareness of something strange happening in the sky and one of the wee ones spoke to him

“The moon is dancing tonight Sammy ‘

Sammy responded to the voice .

“So what’s the occasion “

“There’s a special train arriving soon Sammy .”

“Oh that’s interesting , special in what way “: He asked and the wee one said ,

“Wait and see “
Then he heard a train whistle tooting and the engine chugging away but he never saw the train descending down from the sky and coming to a rest on the pavement right on the corner that had been blocked off to traffic and people by the wee ones .

There was nobody there but Sammy who was unaware what had just occurred .

 .“All aboard .“  A voice rang out .

Sammy was guided on to the train by the wee ones who instructed him that the train he was to catch had been switched but there was no need to be concerned as they would be there to guide him .

Sammy stepped on board the train and then he  heard the train driver say ,

“Next stop Cloud City ”.

Sammy never heard that .

 

“Oh I wonder how long this journey will take to where I’ve got to go “

Sammy said  .

The train carriages were all empty and Sammy took a seat as the train gave a very  long toot on its whistle as it returned slowly up into the sky . Higher and higher it went until it was above the clouds and poor Sammy still was none the wiser .

He couldn’t see any of the goings on and as far as he was concerned it was just another train trip he was on going to the next village .

A voice called out ,

“Tickets please “

It was a ticket collector who stood there beside Sammy who immediately began to search his pockets for his ticket , then he remembered he didn’t buy one but the ticket collector laughed and said ,

“You’re tickets already been booked and paid for by the wee ones . “

Sammy said ,

“What’s all this about then ?”

“You have a very special ticket sir .“

The ticket collector said and Sammy replied ,.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what on earth’s going on “.

The ticket collector just smiled and said ,

“Well this is your first time on board the train to Cloud City Central. ”

The wee ones spoke to Sammy .

“You have been allocated a special journey to a place hundreds of feet or maybe even thousands of feet above the ground to receive a gift from the wee ones of

Looking Better Than Ever  Before . “

“:Tell me what is the gift I am receiving :

Sammy asked and the wee one replied ,

“The gift of sight “ the wee one said ,

Sammy lifted his head  up and said “
‘How can this be ?

“Better not to ask Sammy , just receive and be happy “

The wee one said .

,“Please tell me what about Mrs O’Hara’s fruit , if I don’t get it delivered I’ll loose my job and then all the money Mr Wright gives me will be gone . I have a special delivery for Mrs O’Hara from Wrights Green groceries “

The wee ones laughed and said ,.

She has already got the delivery , We took care of that for you .

“Well then what’s in the box I’m carrying “

Sammy asked and the wee one replied

“Why don’t you open it up and find out “

When Sammy opened the box a blinding light shone out from inside  and immediately he could see . Before him were a carriage full of wee one who were cheering and applauding . They were all dresses in different coloured clothes and Sammy was overjoyed to see colours for the very first time . He screamed out with a voice of sheer delight sayinf g

‘“Wow this is unbelievable , I just can’t believe my eyes .“

Inside the box was filled to the top with lots and lots of money “

The wee one said

“That money is a bonus for you Sammy . Now there will be no need for you to work for Mr Wright anymore”

Sammy asked

“What can I tell my parent’s “

one of the wee ones replied .

“;Everything has been taken care of Sammy :

“But how “ Asked Sammy and another wee one answered

“Lets just say that , their minds have already been rewired . Their knowledge of your being blind has been erased and they have been told that you went to collect an inheritance from an business man who left you his fortune before he died.

Sammy took another look inside the cardboard box that was full of money . Then the ticket collector came over and looked deep into Sammys eyes and said ,

“Seems to me you can see now . Yes indeed , so sit back and enjoy the ride .Take a look out the window and watch the stars go by like flashes of silver and see the glow of the moon my child  and colours of the universe surround you“

The train turned around and light shone through all of the windows in the carriage . The silver glow became a golden glow then a multicoloured display of lights shobe all around the train .“

Sammy started to scream for joy ,

“I can see , look at all this . Its so amazing . Everything I can see is juts so beautiful ‘ All the stars and the wonder beyond . Yes I can see it all for the very first time .”

The ticket collector said ,

“Ok now Sammy , settle down in your seat now young lad because we are pulling into a place called. Cloud City Central .”

The train rolled to a stop and Sammy jumped off the train and rushed all the way along the platform screaming .

“Look at me . It’s a miracle I can see .“

The train driver peered out from the window and said ,

“Hurry up young man . Go have a look around , I’ll wait ten minutes for you .“

Sammy ran through the gate at the station then up the main street until he came to a door with a sign  “Better Latre Than Never “ and went inside .

A nice grey haired lady stood there with a warm expression on her face .

“Thank you for coming my son . It must have been a long journey for you”

“It was not so far and I can see everything now .“

“ Did you catch the train ok then son?”

Sammy nodded and replied ,

“Yes . I really would like to stay and talk with you a while but I must dash because the train driver will only wait another five minutes for me .“

The nice old lady said

“Take this for all the trouble you’ve gone to getting here .“

]The old woman handed Sammy an envelope  that he put it into his pocket and thanked her before saying farewell .

Then he ran next door back that had a sign

“ Looking Better Than Ever  Before :

On the other side of the door a man stood  with a ticket .

“This is your return ticket to come back anytime you want “

Sammy said ,

“Goodbye’s are not for long . I’ll see you again soon”

‘Sammy smiled and took the ticket and ran back to the train .

He was just in time as the train driver said

“All aboard  for Vision Valley“

Sammy took his seat and sat back to enjoy the ride . He opened up the envelope that the nice lady had given him and took a message from inside ,

“Three wishes for you to be made at any time you please .”

The ticket collector walked past Jones and said ,

“Well I hope you’ve enjoyed your train ride son . Now its time to go young man .

We are pulling into Vision Valley .”

“That was quick “

Sammy said and the ticket collector replied .

,“The long way out is always a short trip home. Your first trip to Cloud City Central was without a fare but the next time you want to come you’ll need a ticket   “

Sammy held up the return ticket he was given as the train rolled in at the top end of town and Sammy got off the train ..

He waved as the train soared back into the sky and watched until it was out of sight . He then looked towards Wrights Grocery store and saw old Mr Wright closing the shutters and doors .

He shouted as he ran towards him ,

“Mr Wright I’m back .“   

“Did you do what II asked ?”

“The fruit was delivered Mr’s O’Hara as you asked .“ Sammy proudly said

Mr Wright seemed a little puzzled and said.

“Nonsense boy . I had no order for a Mrs O’Hara .“

“But you did . You told me it was on top of yesterday’s list .“

Sammy said and Mr Wright blurted out ,

“If you think you can fool me by making up some story about an order that never existed so you can find yourself another job . If anyone is silly enough to take you .” .“

Sammy  took a deep breath and said ,

“ Well that’s fine with me Mr Wright . So you can keep whatever you owe me . I’m sure you need the money more that I do . I’ll call it quits and you can find someone else to work for you .“

The old man reached out his hand and tried to apologise but Sammy just walked away with his head in the air .

 

End of chapter 13

 

  The Wee Ones

Link to Chapter 14

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/wee-ones-chapter-14

By Paul McCann

 

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