Gratitude

Chance encounter in the park.

There was a hint of a storm in the air, on that crisp autumn morning. The grey sky threatened to spill its guts any minute but I didn’t mind. I would never miss my morning walk, come hell or high water. There weren’t many people in the park that day. I stopped to watch a little girl flying a kite under the watchful eye of her mother. Her squeals of delight were uplifting. An elderly couple trudged along, the woman arguing and the man nodding. My heart went out to him. I walked by a bench on which a woman and a child were sitting. I heard the child ask:

“Mom, can I wear a bra, now I’m ten?”

“No, Albert”, responded the mother.

And then I saw him. He was an ordinary man and I wouldn’t have given him a second glance were it not for the fact that he was walking a three-legged pig. I told you once! Naturally, I was intrigued. Everybody in the park was. We sat on a park bench like bookends, newspaper blown through the grass (mmm.. nice lyrics for a song). I’d gingerly removed a pigeon s**t and sat down.

“I know you’re curious about Oinky”, he said.

“Oinky?” I said.

“That’s my pig. He’s a dear friend of mine.”

“Mind if I ask you how come…”

“He’s got three legs? Not at all. That pig, sir, has saved my life. Hard to believe, I know, but that’s the honest truth.”

“How so?”

“Well”, he began, absent-mindedly scratching an itch above his upper lip, “one night, a fire broke out in my house while I was dead to the world, after a drinking binge the previous evening. Well, Old Oinky, here, grabbed me by the lapels of my pyjamas with his little teeth and dragged me all the way out, before the whole goddamn house crumbled like a pack of cards”.

I looked at the pig. He was grinning at me. I don’t know if it was a trick of the light but he seemed to have winked at me!

“Now, is that faithful or is it faithful?" He went on.

“Yeah that’s definitely a faithful animal you’ve got there. But tell me, what happened to his…”

“And that’s not all”, he interrupted, “a couple of years ago, I went skating on the Loch Ness. Oinky was fooling around with a sow from a nearby farm. Anyway, as I was whirling like a stupid dervish, I heard a loud crack and before I could do anything about it, I fell right through the ice. Believe you me, had it not been for Oinky, I wouldn’t be telling you this story, my friend. Yes, he’s saved my life a second time. I doubly owe him. I’d give my life for this little fella. But then again, he’d go and save me again, wouldn’t he?”

“That’s an incredible story! I’m in awe! But, what happened to his leg?”

“Now, come on! A pig like that, you don’t eat all at once, do you?”   

Reviews

[Shabeeh Haider]

Another good one Woody. You really know how to keep the reader interested and you have that wonderful talent to make one laugh.
The ten year old wants a bra, and the poor old gentleman just nodding away to his wife.... and finally one does not eat a loyal pig at once.
Keep writing and we will keep smiling.

[Woody]

most kind of you my friend Haider. as always it's a pleasure to know my stories make you smile.

[lissalovesyou]

He must be very grateful, right?

[Woody]

Wouldn't you say so, Glad Lissa Lissa? I, personally, think that for a bacon lover, he's proving to be a very humane sort of guy :)

[lissalovesyou]

A g r e e d .

[Buddhistboy73]

A fine story here my friend....you have a real talent for telling humourous pieces...this is a great story, and a real change from most of the work on here, so doubly appreciated. For me, this reads like a fable, or children's story, that adults actually get more than kids in the end...
Loving this piece...
Thanks for sharing...
BB

[Woody]

my absolute pleasure my friend. thanks for the read.

[Delmar Cooper]

This one I had not heard before, and having heard it I will plagerize shamelessly, but only among the other drunkerds I associate with.

[Woody]

oof! Thank God for that. and be my guest, only tell it exactly the way I told it, please. And no later than the fifth beer.

[Nusquam Esse]

0_o What a morbid last line! It is quite the 'heroic' pig yes? And as the man speaks so highly of his young friend, he still can't help but eat him? What some people will do for Bacon!

[Woody]

Oh how right you are my friend! Bacon and coffee and I can die in peace :)

[Nusquam Esse]

AAAAHHHH!!! Your a monster! I pity the poor piglet who risks life and limb to save you; and finds himself one day without limbs! :P While you contently sit there with your coffee; unwilling to share.. ;)

[Woody]

hahaha!!! Seriously, though; I'm not utterly heartless, admit it. I won't eat it all at once.

[Nusquam Esse]

Question is... will you cook it all at once?

[Woody]

NEVER! Who do you take me for, Sir? I've got heart and the dear creature has feelings and a soul.

[Nusquam Esse]

And bacon?

[Woody]

Precisely. lol. you're making me laugh, Nusquam. Thank you :)

[Nusquam Esse]

Right back at you; I rarely write about humorous things, so this has been a welcomed reprieve!

[Marie]

Oh this is hilarious. You can be top jester of W/C if that's what you want.

[Woody]

Awww! Thank you Mary. You know how I value your opinion. My dreams are going to be in technicolour, tonight.