A STONE TURNED OVER

Once upon a time when Don Andrew was only 3½, this brave young knight and his faithful sidekick Grandpa Sancho were at the park and Don Andrew found a gold mine of sword sticks. He carefully gathered them all up because we could not make the long trip home with all those swords. A knight really needs only one sword. You might just recall that Don Andrew, on that occasion had told his ancient squire that he wanted to take that tree stick home. This writer remembers telling his faithful readers that a tree stick is something that only grandpas and grandsons would really fully understand.

At this point in our journey through life it seems a quite appropriate time to reveal what a tree stick really is, for you have been with us on this journey through life for such a long time. This writer does not like to leave stones unturned. You see a tree stick in 3½ year old language is a limb. Yes, it is just as simple as that. Don Andrew wanted to bring a limb home with him. His old squire did not see any harm in bringing an old dead limb home from the park. At least the park men would not have to pick it up. They look so tired sometimes, standing over there in the shade.

Don Andrew called his old Grandpa this morning and said, Hello, Sancho Panza! Guess what I am doing? This old writer of tales has learned that when a question like that is asked by a 4 year old, the listener must answer with a question. What are you doing, Don Quixote? I’m watching Tarzan, replied our young knight. This old grandpa was immediately glad his grandson did not say, I am Tarzan, Grandpa. You can be Cheeta.

You see, I just read where Cheeta is now 71 years of age and is claimed to be the world’s oldest chimp. Where would that leave Grandpa Sancho?

Don Andrew, I found the perfect tree sword for you. When you come down we can cut it down for you to use. To this the little brave knight replied, That’s great Grandpa. Is my swing still in the tree? Yes, Don Andrew. My swing is still in my tree here, Grandpa. He has a neat rope in a tree there and an even neater chain in the tree here. One could tell that his thoughts were returning to Tarzan swinging through the trees. I am really glad he said, Bye Grandpa, I love you. I was afraid the words would come, You are Cheeta, Grandpa.

Don’t misunderstand, this old sharecropper doesn’t mind being Cheeta, the chimp. It’s the 71 that’s the problem.