What do you see? Part 5 by Lydia Rachel Stone

 What do you see?

By Lydia Rachel Stone

Part V

What do you see? A stream with gurgling water, flowing past a campsite.

And who is camping on this fine evening?

Why, It's Mrs. Patience and Mr. Patience!

Their daughter Blessing, and her husband Perseverance are there.

Mr. Patience's granddaughter, Joy, is helping collect firewood with her father, Perseverance.

"How about this one?" Little Joy says, waving a stick at her father.

Perseverance laughs, "Yes, my Angel. That one looks great!"

A dimple appears on Joy's chubby face and she nods proudly, 

adding her prize to the pile in her father's arms.

They stop here and there in the woods, gathering sticks and branches 

for their campfire. As it grows dark, Perseverance looks up at the sky. 

"It's time to head back to the campsite" The man tells his little girl, Joy.

"But I'm tired Daddy! I can't walk... will you carry me, Daddy?"

Perseverance looks at the stack of wood in his arms and back at his daughter.

He sighs. "Joy, we collected all of this fine wood for the camp fire." Joy looks at her father 

inquisitively. "Joy," He tries again, "Do you want me to dump all of the branches 

and sticks we picked up and carry you back like a log?"

"Yes" Came the simple reply.

"No."

"But why...?" The little girl whines.

 "Dear," Perseverance starts. Then he stops as small Joy looks up at him with big doe eyes.

He sighs again, putting down the branches and sticks from his arms. 

"How about this," He asks, kneeling in front of his little girl.

"Let's compromise.You carry some sticks in your arms, and I will carry you in my arms."

Joy's face lights up and she giggles, clapping her hands in glee.

"Yes, Daddy, yes yes! What a great idea! You're really smart Daddy!"

Perseverance smiles,"I try." He whispers under his breath.

Joy walks over to the pile of discarded wood and begins to select the best sticks, 

looking at each one carefully and judging their size and merits.

Perseverance helps his daughter collect a few sticks and he picks her up in his arms.

They slowly walk back to the campsite, Joy holding sticks in her father's arms,

 guided by the light of the rising moon.

The trees are shadowed figures around them.

Joy huddles in her father's arms. An owl hoots. 

Joy lets out a squeak of terror and drops the sticks.

She grabs her father's neck in fright and clings to him.

Joy begins to cry.

"Oh Joy, it's okay." Perseverance says softly, trying to sooth his little girl.

"But Daddy," Joy sobs, "I'm scared!" 

"It's only a little bird cooing, Angel." Perseverance says, trying to comfort small Joy. 

Tears in her eyes, Joy exclaims, "It doesn't Sound little to me!"

"Okay...so it's not that little," Perseverance concedes, "Maybe, medium size?"

"Medium size? Like McDonald's?" Joy asks, perking up at the idea of fast food.

Perseverance laughs and nods, following her track of thinking.

"Are you thinking of medium fries?" He asks.

"Yes!"

"Well, how about this," Perseverance tells his daughter, "Let's pick up our hoard of sticks and head back

 to the campsite where Mommy is. Grandpa and Grandma Patience are waiting for us too. 

We will add the sticks to the stock for our fire and when we go home, 

I will buy you a happy meal from McDonald's. Sound good?"

Joy claps her hands excitedly, fear forgotten for the moment.

"YES!" She squeals.

       A fire crackles as they return, entering the light of the campsite.

*    *    *

To be continued

A story for NANOWRIMO

By Lydia Rachel Stone