A Wish and Other Night Things

Annie ‘pig-tails and freckle- face” was a daring young girl. But names and faces could not hurt her. It was also a bother when some said girls were not as brave as boys.

Near their village beside a large Quebec woods was a cave. More likely it was a large hole behind some bushes.

That secret adventure place was shared among her chums. Only the fearless went there. Well, she would show them.

Getting there was easy on her bike. Good thing mom and dad were heavy sleepers. Only her cat Meow almost lived up to her name, as she followed Annie to the doorway

The sky was full of stars and nightly sounds of loons and coyotes.

Now here she was. Annie found the opening quickly and noticed a thick rope wrapped around a pipe where the entrance had once been blocked. Might this be an opening into an old mine shaft?  

She lowered to her knees and peered into the black space. There was supposed to be a ledge large enough to sit on or lay down if tired.

One of the bragging school-boys said he had held onto the rope, lowered himself down and easily reached a ledge to stand on. At least that was his story.

If she repeated the same task her name would be on everyone’s lips. And it would turn her into the most popular girl in school. She had something to prove – that girls could do as well as boys.  

The first ten feet came easily. There were knots in the rope and handy to hold onto. Blackness in the four foot wide shaft tested her courage.

Suddenly above her, clouds shifted. And the path below was lit up by a large ray of moonlight.

It was as if a huge flashlight showered her with light. Now she could see rough rock and soiled walls. Annie saw the ledge and chills quickly covered her. It looked as if there was enough room for three or more children.

Just then she felt a movement in the air. A bat flew around as if to welcome her. Didn’t bats get their skinny feet caught in someone’s hair? She fluttered her arms around after stepping onto the ledge.

It was very dark and the outline of a cave faced her. Not going in there she whispered to herself. I’m not that brave.  

Young Annie had a chance to feel success right down to her toes. If some boy could do it, a girl could too. There was not much left to discover, especially with her moon light beginning to move away.

She decided her mission was completed. It was time to go home.

Young Annie felt no need to brag about what she had done. She knew in her heart what was accomplished. And that was enough for her, as she reached for the rope.

Meow was waiting for her return.