Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Before and After (05/14/09)
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TITLE: The shotgun | Previous Challenge Entry
By James Stone
05/19/09 -
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Trouble, that's why Cain was at his Grandparents farm, his parents thought hard work and the wide open spaces would help. "Cain needs to be away from the city, and grandpa will be good for him" he had heard his dad say. So despite his mom's mild objections Cain was packed up and sent away for a month. "Mind your grandpa, or he'll tan you.” With his moms words of warning still ringing in his ears Cain dosed off in the back seat of the car. I don't even know what that means he thought.
Cain looked with wonder at the 12 Gage shotgun in the corner behind the door. He had never been so close to a real live gun before. How hard could it be, he thought. Having watched his grandpa shoot this gun with ease, Cain grabbed the shotgun and shells with confidence that he could get it back before grandpa got back from town. The newness of the gun wore off in the hot July sun. Man! It’s hot thought Cain. Close to his favorite swimming hole Cain took a detour to cool down in the crystal clear creek that cut across his grandpa’s land.
Propping the shotgun in the crook of an oak tree Cain jumped in. The cool waters enveloped him, and soon Cain was in a different world. Time does fly when you are having fun and soon Cain looked at the darkening shadows and knew he just had to get home. It would be supper time soon.
Cain ran down the now familiar path that led home as fast as his legs could carry him. It wasn’t until he passed the old rail fence where he stopped to take aim a few times he remembered the gun. Sick with fear Cain ran even harder trying to get the gun. If he could just get home before his grandpa’s old truck rolled up the dusty lane leading to the farm house. Breathing harder than he ever had Cain rounded the last bend on the trail just in time to see his grandpa shut the door on the old truck. The dust was still settling when Cain met his grandpa in the front yard holding the shotgun.
Cain could see the sadness and relief in his grandpa’s eyes. “You took my shotgun,” he stated flatly. As grandpa was speaking Cain replayed the only conversation that occurred concerning the shotgun. “I will teach you how to handle a gun if you want, but don’t touch it unless I’m with you,” grandpa had said. “Well I’m thankful you weren’t hurt.”
Cain spent supper in silence replaying his mothers warning. Grandpa disappeared after supper, and Cain hopping that he had gone to bed climbed the latter to the loft where his bedroom was. As his surveyed his bedroom Cain’s eyes came to rest on grandpa setting in the only chair in the room. Setting there with an open Bible and a belt, Cain could see that he had tears in his eyes.
After Grandpa was gone his words about honor, respect, and love was ringing deep in Cain’s heart. Picking up the still open bible Cain’s tears mixed with grandpa’s tears that were still drying in the pages. The words that grandpa had read jumped off the page at him. Cain purposed in his heart to obey the words on this page. Gingerly Cain set down, his heightened senses reminding him of the tanning he now understood. “Man! It’s hot.”
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