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*A Boy's Tale* 2/26/02 ____________________________ If you enjoy this free daily email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends that we may bring inspiration into the lives of many! If you are not on the list and this has been passed along to you, join the thousands of HeartTouchers.com readers around the world by sending an e-mail with the word "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@aol.com Visit our inspirational web site and read all the past stories in our archives at: http://www.HeartTouchers.com ____________________________________________ From now on we will be offering our book, Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life" for only $13 (instead of the regular price of $14.95), and best of all, we will pay the shipping! So if you have any interest in purchasing an autographed copy of the book for yourself, or as a gift for your loved ones, now is the time to get it! To order your autographed copy send a check or money order for $13 (We pay the shipping!) for each book made out to Michael T. Powers, and then send it to: Michael T. Powers 1918 Liberty Lane Janesville, WI 53545 To preview the book by reading some of the stories visit: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/michael_t__powers/ AOL Users Click below: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life _________________________________________ Before we get to today's wonderful story by Edwin Williams I wanted to let all you writer's know about an upcoming Chicken Soup project that is still looking for submissions: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is currently seeking non-fiction inspirational stories 250 - 1250 words in length on the following topics: love, friendship, self-acceptance, body image, and identity. Excellent exposure in best-selling series. Deadline: March 15. Please address questions and/or submissions to: mitch@iam4teens.com or tasha@iam4teens.com. Don't put it off! From my family to yours, Michael ________________________________ A BOY'S TALE By: Edwin Williams Looking down in to the valley, the river delta sparkled in the early morning sun. The boy sat with his chin cupped in his hands, oblivious to the morning dew on the grass and its wetness seeping through his shorts. For what seemed ages, he sat entranced watching people below scurrying about like ants. He likened his position as that of a lord surveying his land and protecting his property, or a tyrant prevailing over his kingdom. His finger was transformed into a ray gun, able to disintegrate any of the scurrying creatures. Ancient dry stone walls and Hawthorne and Black Wood hedges bordered the patchwork quilt of green meadows and golden wheat. Majestically it spread before him. His eyes followed a heavy goods vehicle as it made its way along the road that ran adjacent to the river, only to disappear behind the distant wooded bank. A sudden movement to his right caught his attention. Reaching into his duffel bag he slowly drew out his binoculars, carefully, to not frighten the rabbit, which slowly moved within his site range. It appeared so close that he was sure he could almost reach out and touch the creature. It twitched nervously pausing to graze for a moment, looked up, head twisting left, right and then back to the middle, nostrils testing the air and returning once again to graze. The call of a bird suddenly caused it to momentarily freeze and in an instant, it disappeared back to its former place in the woods. Using his duffel as a pillow, his attention now shifted to the clouds as they floated lazily across the blue summer's sky, expanding in an ever-changing form and shape. They took on godlike faces or animals and with a swirl they vanished until new ones took their place. He propped himself up on his elbow and snapped a long grass stem, then laid back once more and giggled while tickling his chin with the fluffy seed head. Lacing his fingers behind his head, he drank in the warmth of the early morning sun as it bathed his face. Closing his eyes to block out its brightness, he noted the smells of fresh grass mingled with the perfume of wild flowers carried by the wind. The sun warmed the ground where he lay and insects awakened from their slumber. They joined in a chorus of sound that only nature could provide, birds announcing the arrival of another day and crickets sending messages to one another. Feeling the tranquillity of solitude and the sweet lullaby of nature's chorus, he slipped into that state where dreams and reality exist as one, where imagination casts childish woes aside. In his innocence, he could never comprehend that this was a freedom he would seldom if ever, experience again. In the distance a sound grew close becoming louder and louder as it neared, accompanied by labored breathing. The panting breath was almost upon him now. Refusing to acknowledge its presence, he laid as still as he could and heard footsteps pacing from one side to another, and then moving all around him. Only when a great drooling tongue, warm and sticky swiped across his mouth and nostrils did he move. Sitting up with a jerk he scolded the source. "You mucky pup " he scolded his friend, and uttered a disgusting "blech" as he used the back of his hand to wipe saliva from his face. His friend stepped back, the big gentle face almost smiling, tongue dangling lazily to one side, bright brown eyes shimmering with glee to be able to elicit a response from her master. Enjoying the game she sat on her haunches and let out a playful yap. "Where you been girl?" the boy continued to scold. For a fleeting moment he detected a flicker of doubt in the dog's eyes, but unable to continue teasing his friend any longer, he erupted with a playful laugh. Instantly, the dog was upon him and they wrestled playfully, rolling and tumbling in the soft grass and bracken. Breaking free, the dog charged around him at full lick, yapping in an unnaturally high pitched yelp. Then grabbing his sleeve she began a game of tug-of-war, with all four paws taking the strain, growling ferociously while jerking backwards. The boy was a surprised by the dog's strength -- jerking once, twice and a third time. Their play continued, neither side willing to give ground until the sleeve ripped. Seeing the boy's expression and sensing something was wrong, the dog instantly released its grip. "Darn! Mam's going to kill me," he exclaimed out loud. Looking deep into his friend's eyes, the boy knew he couldn't stay angry with her. A soft click of the tongue signaled to the dog that all was right again and she dashed into the boy's arms. Together they lay on that remote hillside, he gently running his fingers through the soft animal fur. He knew he could never have a truer, more selfless or faithful friend. That was many years ago, in a far off place, and in a state of being that will never be again. My dog Peggy was my constant companion throughout my childhood, and departed this world on New Year's Eve, 1977. Somewhere, Peggy is running through fields and waiting until the time we can be reunited once again. The bond between a boy and his dog is the greatest experience a boy could wish for. Edwin Williams ed@universalverse.co.uk Send Edwin an email and let him know your thoughts on his story! © 1999 Edwin Williams _________________ Hello, my name is Edwin Williams and I live in East Yorkshire, England. For my work-a-day profession I am an Electrical /Mechanical Engineer. For my time to relax I write -- stories and poetry. I have recently developed a love for words -- written, spoken, getting into word play... painting pictures with words -- creating an emotional response. Visit my site at: http://www.ewilliams.karoo.net/home.htm currently taking submissions. _________________________________________ Reader Feedback! Re: *Yoder the Amish Beagle* By Kenneth L. Pierpont Thank you so much for your beautiful story, what a great analogy; great way to witness. I'm sorry for your grief, especially for little Kyle, we've been there. Thanks for sharing and God Bless MaryLou MaryLouCRV@aol.com _________________________________________ Thought For The Day: "Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes." (Parkes Robinson) Verse for the Day: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23 Kid's Thought for the day: "Remember who gives wet kisses, and the next time you see them, wave from across the room." Parent's Thought For The Day "When I was a boy of fourteen my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one I was astounded at how much the old man learned in seven years." (Mark Twain) Coach's Thought For The Day "You can be harsh to your players and still coach, but it is easier if you are kind to them." (John Kessel) Writing Thought For the Day: "Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a bricklayer and a truck driver, and I tell you -- as if you haven't been told a million times already -- that writing is harder. Lonelier. And nobler and more enriching." --Harlan Ellison Deep Thought For The Day: "May your trouble be like an old man's teeth... few and far between." ___________________________________________ _ /_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS \_\ / HeartTouchers@aol.com /_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no \_\/\ \ longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I \_\/ live in the body I live for the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20 ___________________________________________ The copyrights to the stories that appear in HeartTouchers.com are owned by the authors and are used with their permission. We refuse to run stories without the author's permission and contact info listed after the story. We also refuse to publish stories listed as "author unknown." (All of which violates Copyright Law and the rights of the authors.) This e-mail may be forwarded in its entirety, but please do not cut and paste the stories to be used elsewhere unless you have contacted and been given permission by the individual writer. Thank you so much for honoring the rights of those writers who graciously share their stories with us! __________________________________________ Video Imagery --Michael's Video Production Business "I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such a beautiful job! They were so surprised and so touched--they really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for the video too! Thanks again!" Kelli-- College Station, TX Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies! Check out the web page for Michael's video production business! Visit: http://www.hearttouchers.com/video_imagery/ AOL Users click here: Video Imagery ___________________________________________ Would you like to see your story in HeartTouchers.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/guidelines/ AOL Users click here: Writer's Guidelines ___________________________________________ SUBSCRIBE: "I need a daily source of inspiration and encouragement in my life!" To become a HeartTouchers.com Member send an e-mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@AOL.COM Then get ready to laugh, cry, and be deeply touched by some of the best stories on the Internet! __________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: All you have to do is send an e-mail with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@aol.com Give it a day or two to be processed... __________________________________________ Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you? http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm AOL Users click here: The Four Spiritual Laws __________________________________________ |
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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