Go away! Im telling youoff with you! Why are you loafing around here?!
Mrs. Claudia Matthews slammed a large steaming platter of sausage rolls onto the garden table beneath the sprawling apple tree, then nudged the neighbours scrawny boy away. Off with you! Whens your mother ever going to take charge of you? Good-for-nothing layabout!
Thin as a rake, Johnnyno one used his real name, everyone just called him Cricketcaught the harsh glare and sloped off towards his own narrow porch.
The grand old house, divided into several flats, was only half inhabited. In truth, just two and a half families lived there now: the Pickering family, the Simmons, and the CarpentersAmy and her lad, Johnny.
It was that last duo who made up the halffolks rarely paid them any mind, except if something needed sorting. Amy wasnt considered noteworthy, and time spent on her was, in most minds, time wasted.
She had no one now but Johnny. No husband, no parents. She got by as best she could, enduring side glances but mostly being left alone. Her son, dubbed Cricket for his spindly legs, skinny arms, and large head perched atop a slender neck, was never called by his real name.
Cricket was dreadfully plain, terribly timidbut achingly kind. He never passed by a crying child; hed drop everything to comfort them, and for his compassion was sometimes shooed away by mothers who didnt want that Odd Boy near their precious little ones.
Johnny hadnt always known what Odd Boy meant. Then, one day, Amy handed him a book about a girl named Dorothy, and suddenly it all made sensehe was their Scarecrow.
But instead of hurting, Johnny decided all those who called him that must have read the book. And as he remembered, the Scarecrow was gentle and clever and helped everyone; in the end, he ruled a beautiful city.
Amy, hearing this from her son, didnt try to correct him. Let the world swirl with cruelty; her child would have time enough to swallow the worlds bitterness. For now, let him dream kinder things.
She loved him beyond measure. Forgiving Johnnys father for leaving them, Amy clung fiercely to her boy the very moment he was born, interrupting the midwife who whispered Johnny looked not quite right.
Talk nonsense if you must! My son is the handsomest child in England!
No ones contesting, lovejust perhaps, clever might be too much to hope
Well see about that! Amy whispered fiercely, stroking her babys cheek as she sobbed into his soft hair.
For over two years, Amy toted Johnny from surgery to hospital, winning him the attention he needed. Through endless bus journeys, clinging to her scarf-wrapped boy, she ignored the pitiful looks. And if anyone dared offer advice or comfort, she became a wolf:
Give your own child to a home, then! No? Keep your wisdom to yourself. I know what my boy needs!
At two, Johnny had caught up; hed grown stronger, nearly as lively as the other children. Handsome, though, he was not. His head was rather flat, his limbs thin, and his frame fragile, no matter how Amy tried to fatten him up, giving him whatever good things she could afford, even to her own detriment.
Whatever it took, she did it. The doctors soon lost interest, shaking their heads in admiration at the fairy-slim Amy cradling her Cricket.
Mothers like you, Amy, you could count on one hand! The boy might have qualified for a benefit, nowjust look at him! A real hero. Bright as a button, too!
Well, of course, he is!
Were talking about you, Amy! Youre the clever one here!
Amy only shrugged in bewildermentnot understanding why doing right by your child deserved applause. What else should a mother do? She simply did her duty.
By the time Johnny was due for school, he could already read, write, and count, though a stutter sometimes tangled his clever tongue, unravelling his talents.
Thank you, Johnny, thats enough! the teacher would cut him off, passing reading out loud to someone else.
In the staffroom, shed complainJohnnys a good lad, but listen to him stammer at the boardimpossible! Fortunately for Johnny, she left after two years, off to have a baby, and a new teacherMiss Mary Ellis, well into her careertook over.
Miss Ellis loved her class as much as ever, and she saw right through Cricket. She had a quiet chat with Amy and arranged for a proper speech therapist; Miss Ellis also had Johnny complete assignments in writing.
You have lovely handwriting! I love reading your work.
Johnny bloomed under each kind word, as Miss Ellis read aloud his answers, with much praise for her talented pupil.
Amy, tearful with gratitude, wanted to kiss Miss Elliss hands for her kindness, but the teacher would have none of it.
Have you lost your mind, Amy? This is my job! And your boys wonderful. Hell be just fine, youll see!
Every morning, Johnny hopped all the way to school, amusing the neighbours.
Oh, theres our Crickethopping away. Time for us to move on too! Poor mitewhy has fate dealt him this hand? Hed have been better off never being born.
Amy knew the neighbours opinions. But she wasnt one for argumentsif God hadnt graced someone with heart, you couldnt force humanity upon them. Better to spend time on roses in her garden, or tidying her flat, than to wonder why people are cruel.
Their shared courtyard, with flowerbeds and a garden patch behind, was never split up. The unwritten rule: the little path to each flat was yours.
Amys patch was the loveliest. Roses bloomed, a large lilac bush flourished, and Amy had paved her steps with broken ceramic tiles shed pried from the village hall during renovationscraps that sparkled in the sun like treasure from a faraway land.
Let me have them! shed stormed into the hall managers office.
You want what, Amy? he chuckled.
The bits of tile! Please!
He laughed, but said yes, and Amy borrowed a barrow and picked through the pile until dusk, finding just the right pieces.
She wheeled the load through the village, Cricket perched among the shards, as neighbours raised eyebrows.
What does she want with rubbish?
But in weeks, they were awedAmys mosaic porch became a work of art, a masterpiece that drew the whole village to admire.
Would you look at that! Its just stunning.
Amy ignored the chatter. Peoples opinions meant nothing compared to her sons words:
Mum, its beautiful
Sitting on the step, Cricket traced the patterns, his joy uncontainable. Amy wept again.
Her boy was happya rare happiness. Praise at school, or a special treat at home; her gentle whispers that he was clever and goodthese were his few joys.
Cricket had no friends; he couldnt keep up with the boys games and preferred books to football. The girls were kept away by Claudiawhose three granddaughters lived with her.
Dont go near em! Claudia wagged a fist at Cricket. Theyre not for you!
Whatever whirled in Claudias perm-tossed head, no one could tell. Amy warned her son to give the Matthews lot a wide berth.
No need to vex her, shell only get ill
Cricket agreed and stayed cleareven the day Claudia hustled about with party preparations, he walked past, meaning no harm.
Oh, am I wicked! Claudia fussed, covering the sausage rolls with a tea-towel. Theyll say Im mean, they will! Wait here.
She pressed two rolls into Johnnys hand. Take theseand dont let me see you in the garden! Were having a celebration! Sit quietly till your mum gets back from workunderstood?
Johnny nodded, thanked her, though Claudia had already moved on, plotting the birthday feast for her youngest granddaughter, Lucy. Johnnyweakly built, large-headed Johnnywasnt wanted.
No need scaring the girls with those bulging eyestheyd have nightmares! Claudia recalled, not for the first time, chiding Amy to be rid of him.
Amy, what on earth are you keeping a child for? Youll never give him a future. Hell drink himself into a ditch somewhere!
Have you once seen me with a drink? Amy bristled.
Means nothing! With your lot, its the only route left! Youyour parentsgave you nothing; your boy will have nothing! You dont know a thing about being a mother. Best let the child go, while you still can!
And what else should I do? Are you not a mother, yourself? Amy walked past Claudia after that, proud with her awkward, round belly, never once glancing her way.
Why are you cross, love? I only mean well! Claudia shook her head.
Well, your so-called kindness stinks! And I have morning sickness, thats all! Amy snapped, gently stroking her belly. Dont be afraid, little one. No one will dare harm you.
Whatever slights Johnny faced in his eight years, he never told his mum. He pitied her. If it hurt terribly, he wept alone in a corner. He knew it would upset Amy more than it hurt him. The pain rolled off him like water from a ducks back, leaving no bitterness. Clean tears washed the sorrow away, and soon Johnny would forget all about it, except to pity the curious adults who didnt understand: its much easier to live without anger or spite.
Hed long ceased to fear Claudia, though he couldnt like her either. When her sharp words flew, he ran clear, wishing to avoid her glaring eyes and razor tongue. If shed only asked how he felt, Claudia would have been surprisedJohnny felt sorry for her, genuinelyshe wasted her precious minutes on rage.
Johnny treasured minutes more than anything. Hed learnt there was nothing more precious, nothing more fleeting. You could mend or regain anythingexcept time.
Tick-tock! the clock says.
And then
Its gone. You cant catch it! Lost forever. Youll never buy it backnot for all the pounds in England, not for the prettiest sweet-wrapper in the world.
Yet adults never understood
Perched on his bedroom windowsill, Johnny munched the sausage roll and watched Claudias granddaughters dancing on the back lawn, twirling about Lucy in her pink party dressshe floated like a butterfly, and Johnny caught his breath, imagining her a fairy or a princess from one of his books.
The adults feasted at a long table near Claudias porch; the children, after a burst of laughter and chasing, headed towards the old stone well behind the house to kick a ball in the larger meadow.
As the children scattered, Johnny realised where theyd gone and darted into Amys room, where he could spy the entire green from the window, clapping and cheering as boys chased the ball until dusk crept over.
One by one, the kids peeled away, but the girl in pink lingered by the old well, catching Crickets attention.
Amy had always forbidden Johnny from the well.
The woods rotten. No ones used it in years; its dangerous. You fall in, thats itnobodyd hear a thing. Promise me youll stay away, love!
I promise!
Johnny missed the moment Lucy slipped, vanishing from view. Hed glanced at the other boys huddling nearby. Scanning for the bright spot of pink, cold fear shot through him.
There was no Lucy on the grass
He burst from his porcha single glance was enough. Lucy wasnt anywhere in sight, nor among the adults singing around Claudias table.
Why he never shouted for help, Johnny never could explain. He simply thundered down the steps and sprinted out back, too far away to hear Claudias scandalised outrage
Didnt I tell you to stay in?!
No one noticed Lucy was gone, nor Johnny darting to the rim of the old well, peering down into the darkness and spotting something pale below.
Press yourself against the wall! he called.
Not wanting to touch Lucy, he edged onto the crumbling timbers, slid himself over, and dropped into the gloom.
He fell into the well, knowing seconds matteredLucy couldnt swim.
He knew that; hed seen Claudia fussing at the seaside, trying and failing to teach Lucy while hissing at Johnny to keep away.
Now, as Lucy, coughing and gasping in foul, murky water, clung to his narrow shoulders, Johnny whispered as Amy had taught him,
Its all right! Im here! Hold on tight! Ill shout for help!
He clung to the slimy walls, Lucy dragging at him, but Johnny managed to suck in a breath and bellow with all he had
Help!
He didnt know the children had run off right after the water swallowed him. He didnt know if he could hold on until grown-ups came. Didnt even know if anyone would hear.
But he knew one thing: the small, silly girl in the pink dress must live. Beauty, like minutes, was too rare in the world.
At first, no one heard him.
Claudia, just stepping out with the goose, paused
Wheres Lucy?!
No one quite understood her horror as she crashed the meal and shrieked so loud, the whole street came running.
Johnny managed to cry for his mother, voice weakening
Mum
Amy, rushing home from her shift, suddenly hurried, forgetting the bread. Past the shops, past the neighbours with their idle gossip, she sprinted, scuffing her new sandals.
She bounded into the garden just as Claudia clutched her chest and collapsed onto Amys steps. Not pausing, Amy bolted to the back, where she heard her boys faint cry.
Im here, love!
She needed no guessing. The old well had haunted her dreams for yearsshed begged for it to be filled, pleaded for a safer cover, but no one had cared but her
She didnt hesitate. Rushing back inside, she grabbed the washing line, flew back outside and shouted,
After me! Grab this!
Fortunately, one of Claudias sons-in-law was sober enough to tie Amy securely as she looped the cord round herself.
Amy hauled Lucy up at oncethe girl sagged against her, clutching her neck. But Amy trembled with terror.
She couldnt find Johnny, however she searched in the cold black water
She prayedlike at his birth, screaming her fear to the sky.
Please! Not him!
Desperately groping, her hand slid across something slick and thin. She yanked her son from the dark, not daring to think if he still breathed, screaming for them to pull her up.
On the lift, a raspy whisper flickered to life:
Mum
Johnny spent almost two weeks in the city hospitala hero upon return.
Lucy was discharged earlier; shed swallowed some water, was frightened, but only bore scratches and a ripped dress.
Johnny had suffered morea broken wrist, trouble breathing, but with Amy at his side and Lucy visiting with her family, the fear faded. Johnny was content, looking forward to books and his beloved cat.
My darling boy! Oh, if it hadnt been for you Claudia wept, hugging Johnnys tanned frame, Id give you anythinganything!
Why? Johnny shrugged a frail shoulder. I just did what I had to. I am a boy, arent I?
Claudia, speechless, just hugged him harder. She didnt know that, years from now, that thin, awkward boystill called Cricketwould one day drive an ambulance through artillery fire, saving wounded men and women, easing their pain no matter their side.
And any time they asked, Why do you help, after how youve been treated?
Cricketnow Doctor Carpenterwould reply quietly,
Im a doctor. This is whats right. Life must go on.
***
Dear Readers
A mothers love truly knows no bounds.
Amy loved her son fiercely, through every hardship and every cold glance. Her faith in him gave him the strength to growgood, wise, and kind. It is a lesson in the unconquerable power of a parents love.
And the real hero lives in the heart: Johnny, plain as he was, became a real hero when he risked his life for another. His actions, not his looks, showed his true wortha reminder that kindness, bravery, and mercy are the truest marks of greatness.
The neighbours who looked down on Amy and Johnny had to admit their mistake after his heroism. It shows that prejudice falls away before genuine virtue, and the greatest lesson is to forgive, to harbour no bitterness, and always do whats righteven if the world does otherwise. As Johnny said:
Im a doctor. Life must go on. Thats right.
May this story remind us: it is compassion and humanity that triumph, for true beauty shines from within.
So, ask yourself:
Do you believe goodness can change the world, no matter the hardship? When have you found true worth where you least expected ithidden, deep within the heart?
