The Story Teller

Archive for the ‘my stories’ Category

Chris was a boy who was pressured by his peers. With only his widowed mother to raise him, Chris did not experience to play ball, to fly a kite, to fish or to ride a bike with his father. He actually did not mind much if only his friends would not tease him for being a Mama’s Boy.

Unable to defend himself from his friends, Chris started to take out his irritation on his mother who was infinitely patient with him. He began to ignore her thoughtfulness. He began to do the things she did not want him to do. He started to talk back to her.

Though it was easier to ignore him, Chris’s mother stood her ground. She had to point Chris in the right direction so that he would grow up to be a good and responsible young man. Chris felt suffocated. He started to see her mother as a hateful villainess that he wanted to disappear.

When Chris thought he had enough, he packed his bag and left his mother’s house. He went to his friend and savored his longed-for freedom. He smoked until he got dizzy and drank until he puked. At the end of the day, he had an impossible headache and he did not know where to go. He went to another friend’s house who was kind enough to let him sleep in the garage.

At the garage, with only his back pack for pillow, Chris thought of his mother and how she felt about his leaving. He suddenly felt unwanted tears burned his eyes and flowed freely down his face. Unable to stop himself from crying, Chris gave in and wept, not for himself but for his mother.

With his shirt drenched with sweat and tears, Chris opened his back pack. When he took out a clean shirt, a small white envelope fell from the pack. He picked it up and opened it. Enclosed are various medicine for headache, cough and cold and a spare key to the house. His mother probably put them because she knew he was leaving. She put the medicine in case he got sick and put the key in case he got back in the house while she was out.  Chris wept again and decided to come home the following day.

Chris was not surprised to see food on the table when he got back. His mother was her usual self as if nothing happened. So, Chris had to ask..

‘’Mother, what made you so sure I was coming back?’

‘I have faith in you. I knew you would choose to do what is right..’

‘How did you know I would do what is right and not the wrong?’

‘Because I taught you the difference.. and I have faith in myself…’

With tears in his eyes, Chris embraced his mother.

(Original story by the blog author. Any similarities with other stories, fiction or otherwise, are purely incidental.)

Two lads, Jet and Ernest, met on a ship on their way to the big city. Just like people in their late teens, they felt a liking towards each other as soon as they introduced themselves. They learned later that they lived in neighboring towns back home.

Then, Jet asked Ernest about his family. Ernest said his father is an engineer who works as a foreman. His mother stays at home and takes care of his two sisters. He has a black dog named Dummy. Their house is just small but always clean. His mother is a very good cook and she cooks his favorite dish every Sunday when his father is home and they watch movie together.

Jet said..

“You would surely miss them..”

“I already do.. But I have to go to the city to study. My uncle lives there and I will live with him for the meantime. What about your family?”

Jet smiled bitterly and answered..

“I don’t have a family. My parents died when I was young and I got to live with my aunt. Now, my aunt is dead too and I’m off to the city to find my grandmother..”

“I’m sorry about that…”

“Forget it. Come on, let’s have fun….” said Jet as he stood up and dragged Ernest somewhere.

On the last night of their journey, there was a storm. Jet and Ernest held on to whatever they could hold on to but the storm was too strong it tipped the ship over.

Jet and Ernest luckily managed to get hold of a piece of furniture that kept both of them from being drifted into the violent sea. But the storm raged on and they didn’t know how long it will last. They were both fatigued and scared. Finally, the storm passed and the sea was calm again.

Jet and Ernest were hungry, tired and cold. But there seemed to be no rescue coming for them. At last, Ernest spoke..

“I’m not sure if I could survive. I most probably won’t. But before I die, I want to let you know that I lied about my family. I don’t have a family. I grew up in an orphanage and ran away when I was twelve. Since then, I traveled from place to place looking for a way to earn money to feed myself. The family I told you about is the family I would like to have..”

With tears streaking down his face, Jet spoke too..

“I also lied to you. I’m not an orphan. I have a family back home. My father is a clerk and my mother is a seamstress. I have an older sister, Martha and a younger brother George. I told you I didn’t have a family because I thought yours was nicer than mine. I ran away from home because I thought I didn’t need them. But now I realize I was wrong, I need them and I’m going to die without letting them know how much I love them..”

The two held hands and fainted..

When they woke up, they were ashore. They were rescued by a fisherman who saw them holding on to a piece of furniture floating several miles away from the shipwreck. Jet’s parents were notified and he was reunited with his family who was overjoyed to see him alive. They invited Ernest to live with them and be a part of their family.

(Original story by the blog author. Any similarities with other stories, fiction or otherwise, are purely incidental.)

Mr. Lawrence was a successful lawyer. He never lost a case. His clients were rich and he was among the most sought-after lawyers in the city. But for some reasons, he was unhappy.

He woke up very early in the morning and slept nearly at dawn. The moment he woke up in the morning, he only had time for a steaming cup of coffee and off he went to his office. His schedule would be recited by his secretary and it was already dark when he drove home. He worked even on weekends.

One time, his colleagues commented on his working so hard and advised him to take some time off and have some fun. Mr. Lawrence just laughed and said such is the life of a successful lawyer, hard work and dedication. After all, he wouldn’t be as successful as he was if he worked only half the time as he did.

Mr. Lawrence, however, worked only because that’s the only thing he knew. He had no immediate family to visit during the weekends and no close friends to have fun with at the end of the day. He didn’t even know any of his neighbors. He only knew his housekeeper by name and the only number he knew by heart was his secretary’s. He was an unhappy man, indeed.

One day, one of his clients sent him to a poor family in a rural area. It seems like, his client had been having a hard time convincing a man to sell his land to him. His client was planning to put up a golf course and he wanted to buy the man’s small farm which was located at the boundary of the rich man’s vast property.

Mr. Lawrence left early and very confidently. He had handled cases more difficult than this and men with more extensive education than the farmer. How hard could it be when there was an ample amount of money.

When he arrived at the farm, the farmer was not around, so he met only the wife and the children. As soon as he came, the wife, obviously suspicious, greeted him and invited him inside. She offered him a glass of water and a pack of biscuits which, surprisingly, he enjoyed.

After he had eaten, the farmer’s wife started to speak.

‘I know why you’re here, Sir, but you are just wasting your time. My husband is determined not to sell and so am I..’ her voice was so sincere but firm that Mr. Lawrence decided to leave and come back again when the farmer was around. Maybe the man was less adamant than his wife.

However, half a mile from the farmer’s house, Mr. Lawrence’s car broke down. Left with no other choice, he went back to the farmer’s house to ask for help. Fortunately, the farmer was already there but since it was already late, he just invited Mr. Lawrence to stay for the night and promised to get help early the following morning.

To his dismay, Mr. Lawrence found out that his cell phone got no signal. So, he reluctantly accepted the farmer’s offer to stay for the night.

The farmer’s wife gave him an old clean shirt and a faded pajama so he could change. Then, she served a hearty meal of native chicken and rice plus several slices of papaya which she picked from the backyard. Mr. Lawrence thanked the wife for such an enjoyable meal.

Then, the farmer invited him outside and handed him a stick of inexpensive cigarette. They smoked while sitting on a felled tree under the starry sky. They talked like old friends. The farmer told him how he inherited the farm from his father and from his father’s father and so on. Then, he asked him how Mr. Lawrence became a lawyer. Without realizing it, Mr. Lawrence talked to the farmer like a trusted friend. Something he never did to anyone.

When they were done smoking, they went inside the house where the wife was washing the dishes and the children were playing on the floor. There were three. Unused to such chaos, Mr. Lawrence snatched a paper from the table beside his chair and made a ball for the youngest, a boy of two. Then, he made a flower for the girl, about four and made an airplane for the oldest, a boy of six.

The children had so much fun and so did Mr. Lawrence. A few minutes later, the wife prepared the children to bed, so Mr. Lawrence was finally left alone to sleep on the couch. Surprisingly, he fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes. It was a sound and dreamless sleep.

When he woke up in the morning, he felt relaxed and peaceful for the first time in several years. He joined the farmer and his family for breakfast of fried rice and dried fish and a cup of coffee. As the farmer promised, he asked for help as soon as possible and before noon, Mr. Lawrence was on his way back to the city.

After several months, Mr. Lawrence left his law practice, purchased a parcel of land, wrote books for a living, befriended his neighbors and, luckily, married a local girl and had two children of his own. Finally, he was no longer unhappy.

(Original story was the blog author. any similarities with other stories, fiction or otherwise, are purely incidental.)

Four friends, Lamberto, Danilo, Marlito and Crisanto, packed their bags and met at the bus stop. They waited for the bus going to the city.

After several minutes, a delivery truck stopped by and the man on the passenger seat waved at them.

“What are you waiting for?” the man asked.

“We’re waiting for the bus going to the city,” answered Danilo.

“Well, we’re on our way back to the town which is only a few miles more to the city. If you want, you can ride with us, but.. I’m sorry to say, my truck is empty and uncomfortable..” the man continued.

Wanting to leave as soon as possible and happy to save some money, the four friends agreed to ride in the truck regardless of the discomfort.

Since the truck was big, it was difficult to get on it. Lamberto helped his friends to get on first by giving them each a push. When it was his turn, his friends were happy to pull him up.

Being the last to come up, Lamberto found that all his friends were seated. Marlito was sitting on an old mattress, Danilo was sitting on a wooden box and even Crisanto was sitting on a big spare tire. However, Lamberto was simply happy to be on the way that he just laid an old newspaper and sat on the truck floor.

He started to think of the money that was supposed to be for a bus ticket. How lucky they are to be invited to ride for free. Lamberto smiled and thought of what to do with the money when he arrived at the city.

Crisanto noticed Lamberto’s smile and assumed that the floor was more comfortable to sit on than the bumpy and smelly tire.

“Lamberto, do you want to sit on the tire?” Crisanto asked.

“Why not?” answered Lamberto.

So, Crisanto sat on the floor and Lamberto on the tire.

As the tire bumped up and down, Lamberto thought of the possible jobs he could do once they are in the city. Maybe he could apply as a waiter in a restaurant. He likes that. If he’s good, maybe the manager will give him some leftover food for free. Lamberto smiled.

Danilo noticed Lamberto and thought that maybe the tire was more comfortable than the hard box, so he asked.

“Lamberto, do you mind exchanging seats?”

“Not at all..”

So, Lamberto sat on the wooden box. It was flat and hard, but at least it wasn’t bumpy. Lamberto started thinking of another job he wanted to do. Maybe he would apply as a bus conductor. He likes that. He would wrap paper money around his fingers and would wear a belt filled with coins. What more, he would go places.. for free. Lamberto smiled.

Marlito noticed Lamberto and thought that maybe the box was more comfortable than the smelly mattress. So, he said..

“Lamberto, can we exchange seats?”

“Sure!”

So, Lamberto sat on the mattress. It surely was smelly, but it was soft. Lamberto thought of how lucky he was to be on the best seat in the truck. Then, he imagined how nice it would be to apply as a security guard in a department store where it would be air conditioned and he would be wearing a nice uniform. Lamberto smiled and didn’t notice the strained looks on his friends’ faces.

At last, the truck stopped and the four friends got off. They thanked the driver and the passenger and started to walk the remaining miles going to the city. Then, Lamberto looked back and saw the men they left having a hard time unloading the spare tire. He let his friends go and he came back to help.

The man on the passenger seat spoke..

“Well, I’m sorry if the trip had been uncomfortable. From the looks in your friends’ faces, it seems like they didn’t enjoy the ride..”

“It was uncomfortable alright, but it surely was enjoyable..”

“You could say that probably because you sat on the mattress..”

“Oh no! I sat on the box, on the tire and even on the floor. But you know what, I didn’t even notice the difference..”

“Why is that?”

“Because I was busy thinking how good the next rides are going to be..”

The passenger smiled and ask..

“Do you want a ride to the city?”

“Oh, but I thought the truck stops here?”

“Yes, it does. But we’re riding in my car. By the way, I’m Mr. Gomez and I own the truck and making mattresses is my business. If you need a job in the city, I would be happy to hire you..”

Lamberto held the man’s hand and shook it vigorously. How lucky can he be?

(Original story by the blog author. Any similarities with other stories, fiction or otherwise are purely incidental.)

Dina was a fine girl from a small town. She was raised as a typical and a traditional girl. She was an obedient child, respectful, kind and God-fearing. Her parents were so proud of her and so was his grandfather who lived with them.

Dina had two girl friends, Annie and Jamie. They were just like her, obedient, kind, and respectful. They used to go to school and to church together. They helped each other with homework and projects. They shared a love for plants and animals and other living things. Dina simply was a happy child.

When Dina was in high school, her grandfather, Lolo Berto, had a stroke. Old and paralyzed, Lolo Berto started to spend his life sitting on his old couch looking at the world outside. Dina loved her grandfather so much that she had sat beside him and talked to him every afternoon since the day he got sick. Her friends Annie and Jamie have come regularly to visit the old man.

Dina graduated from high school and went to college. Annie and Jamie went to college, too, but to different schools. Despite that, Annie and Jamie remained friends. Dina, however, met new friends and realized how traditional her old friends were. Moreover, her new friends taught her to pass a subject by various ways of cheating. They showed her how to blow smoke in rings and how not to get drunk easily. They showed her how to have real fun.

Still devoted to her grandfather, Dina saved money to buy a new couch for Lolo Berto to replace the smelly old one that she now found extremely unpleasant. Lolo Berto thanked her but refused to use what she bought. One day, Dina asked her father why Lolo Berto continued to use his old couch. Her father answered..

“It’s what Lolo Berto feels comfortable in. It fits his body perfectly that he knows every soft spot and every hard curve and dislocated spring. He knows it so well it seems like an extension of his own body. So, I doubt anybody can force him to use any other couch regardless of the price and design..”

Dina pretended to understand and simply nodded.

Later in college, Dina suffered the consequences of her irresponsible actions earlier. She got low grades and nearly failed a subject. On her graduation, she was surprised to find among the presents she received, something from Annie and Jamie. Apparently, they, too, already graduated.

The following month, tragedy struck. Lolo Berto died. Dina’s grief was deep and she was disconsolate. On her grandfather’s funeral were her two best friends. Their arms were warm around her and their shoulders were strong but comfortable. She wept until she could weep no more. But they didn’t leave. They never left her in the darkest moment of her life. They made her feel better and with them, she felt stronger to bear her loss.

Annie and Jamie, just like Lolo Berto’s smelly old couch, gave the kind of comfort only good old friends could ever give.

I wrote my first complete novel in 1987. I was in first year high school. Complete because there was a beginning and an ending, unlike my other unfinished stories. I wrote my second in 1991 when I was in fourth year, my third in 1993 when I was in third year college, my fourth in 1995 when my eldest was less than a year old, my fifth  in 2006 and my sixth in 2007.

The first two were read by my close friends before they were destroyed. The third was borrowed by a personal acquaintance but was never returned, the fourth was rejected by a publication because it was not good, the fifth was rejected by another publication because it was realistic and the sixth is saved in my email address and may not be printed at all.

Why do amateur writers, like myself, keep on writing when they aren’t sure their works will be printed and published?

Personally, I keep on writing because I feel good when I write. Though I don’t guarantee that every work I make is good, it doesn’t diminish the enjoyment and satisfaction I feel every time I finish a story because my mind is not always ripe with ideas. Just like other people who write, I experience certain black outs and nothing comes out of my head no matter how I try.

After watching Lent-inspired films last Good Friday, I was, again, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, the Greatest Story Teller of all time, who used parables to teach. And I couldn’t help wishing that I, too, become a good story teller and be remembered for the stories that I wrote.

It was the worst rainy season and the townspeople were alerted that the river would rise anytime. There was an order to evacuate the place. Mang Ramon and his eldest son Tony packed the most important belongings while Aling Cora prepared the other children, little Julie and the twins, baby Jimmy and baby Judy.

After packing their things, twelve-year old Tony went out back where their old boat was tied and saw that  the river was staring to rise as predicted. He started putting their things onto it, one box after another. Aling Cora came with little Julie. Tony helped her mother find a place in the boat. Then he put the girl beside his mother. Mang Ramon came carrying the twins, he handed baby Jimmy to Aling Cora while he, himself, held baby Judy. He got on the boat and put the baby on his lap.

Tony got on last and placed himself where he could help his father row the boat to safety. And he rowed with all his might, with all his strength, with all the power he didn’t know he had. With the still undeveloped muscles in his arms, he rowed until he ached all over. But he knew no pain nor weary. There was only one thing in his mind, to keep his family safe. He couldn’t stop, nor could he slow down. Slackening in his part might result to death of his beloved family.

So, he rowed without stopping. But halfway across the river, the boat started to sink. It was overloaded. Mang Ramon looked at their belongings sadly. He started to throw them into the river. One by one they were thrown until no single box remained. It seems like the family will not make it to shore.

Then, Tony looked at his father lovingly. He looked at his mother, little Julie, baby Jimmy and baby Judy. Then he looked at the shore which they would not reach, unless he did something about it. So, Tony jumped into the water and swam alongside the boat. But he was still too light and too puny and was carried by the current. He fought and tried to swim his way to the shore.

With his head bobbing in the water, he looked at the boat praying hard that his family would make it to shore. when he finally saw his father pulled the boat to the riverbed, he stopped fighting the current and let go.

Mang Ramon started to go back to the river to save Tony, but the boy was swiftly carried away. He looked back and saw what remained of his family. He scanned the river for any sign of Tony, but there was none. Mang Ramon wept but he knew that if Tony did not sacrifice himself, all of them would have perished. And he knew that Tony knew, it too.

(Original story by the blog author. Any similarities with other stories, fiction or otherwise, are purely incidental.)

Joey was the smartest student in class. He was a wide reader and had a sharp memory. He knew he was good and he made everybody else know it. Aside from being smart, Joey was also athletic. He was a star volleyball and basketball player in school.

So, it had been difficult for him to accept when an average student came from another section and stole his popularity away. For all he knew, Luke, the newcomer was just an older mediocre guy. He was quiet but always had a ready smile for everyone. He talked nicely to girls and politely to teachers. He never spoke if he didn’t need to and when he does, it was always with sense and always conciliatory.

Joey was ready to ignore Luke, but when Luke started to get higher grades than Joey did, he started to dislike his classmate. Every time Luke receives a high grade especially in essay, Joey makes a remark about Luke getting some help from someone smarter. Though Joey couldn’t prove it, he knew Luke was not that good to have written such marvelous essays.  To all these, however, Luke remained quiet, but he was proving Joey wrong by doing good in recitation. He seemed to know the lessons well and deserved all the grades he received.

Even in practical tests Luke proved to be good and even better than others but Joey started talking about favoritism. Luke still kept quiet, until the Intramural week came.

Joey, used to being the superstar, knew he finally found a way to beat Luke and show who really is the best student. But Luke was also good in the game, what more, he is a real team player. He never attempted to play the ball alone. He made every other team member do his part. He never failed to pat someone in the back and say it’s alright when somebody messed up. At the end of the game, it was Luke whom the team lifted and the one who received the trophy. Joey more than ever, wondered why.

On the way home, Joey saw Luke walking alone. He went out to him and said..

“You won’t join the victory party?” asked Joey.

“ I wish I could, but I can’t…”

“Why not?”

“I have kids waiting at home and a wife who needs my help..”

“You already have a family?”

“I do.”

“Isn’t it a bit late for you to be studying now?”

“For me, it isn’t. About 15 years ago, I messed up my chance to study in college. I married early and had a hard time supporting my family. Since then, I waited for the chance to make my life better, and now that it came, I can’t afford to mess it up again..”

“You surely are doing a good job..”

“You see, Joey.. When you have a family, your focus is your wife and your children. How you can make them proud of you, so you do things right. You learn to treat girls how you want others to treat your wife. You treat your classmates how you want others to treat your children. You treat your teachers how you want to be treated, with respect.

“I have done so many wrongs in my life, Joey, it’s about time I do many rights, maybe not for me, but for my friends. That they will learn from me and they do not commit the mistakes I made..”

Joey was stunned. There never was a competition after all..

“You know what, Joey…” continued Luke “life is not about being better than and ahead of other people, because in the end, it’s only you who is to blame or congratulate. There is just you, your mistakes and your triumphs…”

Joey was about to say something when a bus came and Luke bid him goodbye and got on the bus. Joey started to head home and thought of Luke and how smart and wise he is..

(original story by the blog author. Any similarities with other stories, fiction or otherwise , are just coincidence.)

One long weekend, Anton came out back to enjoy three days vacation from work. He sat on an easy chair under the mango tree and read the newspaper. He saw, in his peripheral vision, his neighbor, Mack, picking up dried leaves from the ground of his own backyard. Anton shook his head for such a waste of time. No wonder his neighbor doesn’t get promoted, why pick with the hands when he can use the broom to clean the yard. Sipping his coffee, he continued reading so he didn’t notice that Mack was done picking.

The following morning, as Anton was sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper, he saw Mack, again, picking up dried leaves. Anton put the newspaper down and spoke in a voice loud enough for Mack to hear.

“Hey, Mack! Won’t that take you forever?” he asked his neighbor.

“Oh, hey there, Anton! I see you’re enjoying the long weekend..” replied Mack still picking up leaves.

“I surely am.. It doesn’t happen all the time, you know.. How about you? It seems like you spend the long weekend picking up leaves from your backyard..”

“Oh, this.. well..”

“I wonder how long it will take you to finish..”

“Not long, I guess.. In fact, I’m nearly done…” Mack answered with a smile then stood with a basketful of dried leaves and twigs.

Anton raised his brow. Is he kidding me? Mack’s backyard is still as cluttered as yesterday.

“Well, see you around Anton..” waved Mack.

Anton nodded and shrugged his shoulder as Mack turned at his back.

The following day, the last day of the long weekend, Anton saw Mack sweeping his backyard with a broom. Well, finally his neighbor found the easier way..

He stood up and went over to his neighbor..

“Well, Mack.. I see you figured out an easier way to clean up your yard..”

“Oh, you mean, the leaves? Well, you see, I asked my house-help to leave it be for the long weekend so I could choose the leaves that I needed..”

“You need leaves?

“Yes. But not anymore. As I told you yesterday I was nearly done.. “

“Done with what?”

“With the collage. Want to see it?”

So, Anton followed Mack into his neighbor’s immaculately tidy house and found in the living room a beautiful collage of various dried leaves. It was artfully and masterfully done that Anton couldn’t believe how creative his meek neighbor, Mack, is.

“So, that’s what you’ve been doing all this time?”

“Actually, not just me. My children helped out. We always wait for long weekends and holidays to do a little family bonding. As what you said ‘it doesn’t happen all the time.’ We just can’t waste three beautiful days, can we?

“Sure, we can’t” answered Anton.

He thanked Mack and slowly went straight inside his house and looked at the leaking faucet, two broken chairs, clogged sink and busted light bubs. He looked at the watch and with the few remaining hours of the long weekend, started to work.

Antonio is the only child of Aling Saling. His father was a brave lieutenant in the army and died in a battle when Antonio was still in his mother’s belly. So, with a small income from her store in their own house,  Aling Saling raised Antonio all by herself. She raised him to be polite, gentle and God-fearing.

Antonio grew up to be a soft-spoken, kind and sensitive lad. He never played rough, he never raised his voice to make his point, he never mocked or taunt anybody, he never cheated at games and he always has something nice to say to anyone.

The adults in town called him a good boy, the boys his age called him chicken and the girls called him  softy. Antonio didn’t mind. He is happy about what he is. When the boys offered him a bottle of liquor and a stick of cigarette, he simply refused and ignored their mockery. When the girls rolled their eyes over his polite greetings, he answered them with a smile. His mother raised him to be a gentleman, and a gentleman he will remain. For others, though, he was simply the biggest coward in town.

One day, the town was ravaged by a strong typhoon. The river rose, the dam was about to break so the townspeople were ordered to evacuate. Antonio and his mother, after securing their house, prepared to leave. They were the first to arrive at the assembly hall and wondered what was taking other people too long to pack.

Antonio knew. Some people were just too stubborn to do what they were told. They have no sense of urgency even at the brink of emergency such as this. They think other people are wrong simply because they believe and behave differently. They think the dam won’t break because they don’t want it to break or that their houses won’t get flooded because they don’t want to clean up the mess afterwards.

Antonio doesn’t want the dam to break either, but he wants to be safe when it does. He doesn’t want their house to get flooded as well, and he would be thankful if it doesn’t.  But he would be equally thankful if he still has a house to come back to and clean up. So, he felt sad when the truck was finally filled with people complaining of the inconvenience and the disruption of their everyday existence as if the threat was just made up to make them feel bad.

When the truck began to move, a young mother with a child bundled in her arms came into view. She ran after the truck but with the flood-water up her thighs, the woman found it hard to run. The truck totally stopped to wait for them, but the woman tripped and fell down. The child was thrown in the water and drifted away while his mother cried for help. In half a minute, the child was taken far away.

Antonio jumped out of the truck and ran after the bundle. The water was rising too fast and his strides were no match to the heavy flow of water and he soon found himself swimming after the bundle. When he finally got hold of it, he swam back to the truck but it was more difficult than he thought. He swam and swam. He swam like he had never swum before, but the truck seemed to be moving away. Still, Antonio tried until he got near the truck and with his remaining strength handed the bundle to outstretched hands and he fainted.

When Antonio woke up, he was safe and so was the child. He heard his mother spoke..

“Why did you do it, son?”

“Because I couldn’t dare live knowing I could have saved his life”

Aling Saling hugged her son, the biggest coward in town..

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.  ~Ambrose Redmoon

(Original STORY by the blog author. Any similarities with other stories, fiction or otherwise, are purely incidental)