A LESSON ?

AN INVITATION

 

Come back with me, a long, long way to 1930. Before your time? That's O.K. Live a nip with me.

 

As I sat on my Mama's lap her kitchen apron strings tickled my skinny legs. She told me the story of Goldilocks for the hundredth time and I clapped as usual. Then Mama hugged me. I kissed her neck, and got off her lap to get a glass of water.

 

'Wait, Sweetheart. I have another story to tell you.' I stayed. Mama recited a new  poem to me:

 

'There was a little girl
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very, very good–
But when she was bad,
She was horrid.'

 

'That's a funny poem, Mama. I liked it.' I asked her to say it again and again until I knew it, then left her sitting near the stove, her elbows on the kitchen table where they were not supposed to be. Mama was crying.

 

'What's the matter, Mama. Why are you crying. Did your burn yourself on the stove?' 'No. Sit here near me.' She pulled out a chair and I wiggled to get comfortable.

 

'Lois, did you throw a big rock at Robert yesterday?'  I remembered what I did and told her, 'No, Mama I didn't throw a big rock at Robert.'
Mama warned me not to lie and asked me again if I threw a big rock at Robert. 'Mama, I didn't, I didn't.  I threw a little stone at Robert and Harvey screamed. Honest, I was aiming at Robert.'

 

My answer didn't please my Mama. 'But you did throw something, right?'
I nodded a slow 'yes.' 'Well, my darling Angel girl, your aiming was so bad you hit Harvey's  eyeglasses. One lens broke and cut his eye. His father said the doctors aren't sure they can save it. This is a terrible, terrible thing you did. Do you understand what I am telling you, Child?'

 

'Yes, Mama, I understand. I have to learn to aim better.'

 

I was sent to bed without dinner and the very next morning I had to use all of my saved Indian head pennies and Christmas money, to buy Harvey a present. Mama and Daddy had to pay for new glasses and all the doctor bills.

 

The curl in the middle of my forehead was cut off and horrid me learned a very good lesson.