Short Stories

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Featuring the Adventures of Harry the Heron
(Based on a character created by Russell Hessler) (1143 words)

Picture a large, majestic bird of royalty, swooping down from the sky and gracefully landing on a pier or dock. Well, you can FORGET that image with the hero of our story. Or, is he just the main character, and not really a hero? I guess you’ll just have to read on to find out.
Harry the heron is a sea-weary, grizzled, old and tired bird, who’s seen much adventure in his lifetime. Some adventures were good and, some not-so-good. He has sailed the 7 seas, and some more local bodies of water. Although he spent most of his career as a sailor, there were times he took on the role of a pirate. But, as he explains it, it was only for the good and welfare of all of the featured comrades and brethren of the air. And, it was always totally justified.
Hence, his title: The Pirate Sailor.
Our story begins as Harry decides to finally pack-it-in and call-it-quits from the active, sea-farin’ life. After tediously and thoroughly searching for a quiet place near a small body of water to retire, he decides to settle down on a little boat dock or pier overlooking a small pond, across the street from the home of a freind, out in the country. Perched on the end of the dock, while wearing his sailor cap, and either puffin’ on his pipe or chompin’ on a cigar, he becomes the unofficial ‘keeper’ of the pond. With the hopes of a peaceful and unruffled waning existence, and only the occasional interruption to dine on fish in the pond, he calmly closes his eyes, and attempts to doze-off.
Alas, the quietness will be short-lived, as two groups of waterfowl individually move in and also claim the pond as their new home. A family of geese, named the Gooseingtons, and a family of ducks, named the Duckingtons.
“ARRRRH!!!! SHIVER ME TIMBERS!! Can’t a body have any peace?!” bellows Harry, as these two families take-up residence around ‘his pool’.
Initially, ‘HIS HIGHNESS’ becomes very agitated. Doing his absolute best to ignore and avoid these intruders, he occasionally flaps his wings while puffin’ on his pipe or chompin’ on his sea-gar, and muttering improprieties under his breath so the little ones don’t hear them.
However, as the days, weeks, and months roll-by, Harry starts to settle down, mellow-out, and eventually resigns himself to their presence. In fact, the only time he leaves his ‘throne’, is to go after a meal in the water.
BUT, something happens that will dramatically change our character’s outlook forever!
On a bright, clear, mild, sunny, and warm day, the two families decide to go on a picnic at the opposite side of the pond from where they normally roost. (You can tell this is fantasy. Ducks and geese never get along in reality.) This place is where Harry has made his ‘domain’.
As the excitement builds amongst the picnic-goers, so does the confusion level. The mothers of both families do their best to make sure the little ones stay close together with them and not wander-off, get lost, or even worse!
“Duckbill, sweetie,” quacks mother Duckington. “You stay with us and don’t go near the water, okay? You know you’re not able to swim by yourself yet.”
“Okay momma,” he replies.
However, little boys being what they are, curiosity gets the best of him, and he strays over to the edge of the water. And, not only to the edge of the water, but right to where Harry’s perched!
“Dad-blasted pipe tabackie stinks!” spews Harry under his breath. “It smells like the cesspool down the street that backed-up last year! Peeeu!”
“Excuse me, sir,” interrupts little Duckbill, with his little beach towel over his shoulder and his little inflatable raft under his wing. “Are you the lifeguard? My momma says I shouldn’t go near the water by myself, since I’m not able to swim alone yet.”
“LIFEGUARD!?!?” blares Harry so loud, that he launches his pipe out of his beak and practically blows the little guy over backwards. “Blast ye, you little squirt! What be ye thinkin’ I look like, buck-o? Why, I’d have ya’ swap the deck—if I had one! Does your mudder know where ye be at?”
Looking up at the great bird, Duckbill points over to where the rest of the crowd is located.
Then, something unexpected and amazing happens. Staring down at the little fellow, his heart starts to become tender.
Trying to regain his gruff character, he quickly attempts to remember some of his former encounters, so as to ‘buck-up’ his demeanor.
“ARRRH! I reckon’ I can be a lifeguard for a small while. But, just don’t be a causin’ no trouble, or the deal’s off! Got it!?” barks Harry.
“Sure thing, sir. And, thank-you very much! My momma will be real pleased!” joyously answers Duckbill. With that, he goes about his play.
“He is a cute, little fur ball” Harry thinks to himself.
But soon enough, our grizzled, though-guy forgets his commitment, and settles down to enjoy a peanut butter and sardines on rye with a nice cold one. Shortly afterwards, he starts to doze-off.
All of a sudden, Harry’s snooze comes to an abrupt end when he’s awakened by the sounds of water being splashed in panic and a high-pitched squeal for help.
Also noticing the commotion is Duckbill’s mother, who starts quacking in a high-pitched panic! “OH MY! OH MY! I TOLD him not go near the water!”
“DING-DANG-IT!!” exclaims Harry out-loud." The little tyke must’ve fallen off of his contraption for floatin’"
As the others race towards the place of calamity, our hero spreads his large wings and lifts-off from his perch, shooting straight-up, circling in a loop, and immaculately swooping down to level-off, while skillfully and cautiously plucking the little guy from the water with his beak. After that, he graciously lands on the bank. As the others arrive, he tenderly deposits the small one in his mother’s outstretched wings, as the crowd cheers by honking and quacking.
“OH, my little boy! Are you okay, now?” she asks, as finally stops spewing water and coughing.
“Oh, thank-you, kind sir, for saving my son’s life!” gushes Mrs. Duckington. After carefully putting her son on the ground, she gives Harry a big hug with her wings and smooches him on the side of his head.
Not being used to such attention, the Old Guy becomes embarrassed and turns several shades of red.
“ARRRRH! I reckon’ I may be a-changin’ after all!” He smiles.
THE END
Will you see what a little love can do? It can even change a grizzled, old coot. That’s what God wants for you through His Son-Jesus. Will you seek Him?

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