Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Dream

A Picture Story from Portrait of Words




He had taken the bus from Neenah to Laona, Wisconsin just to ride a genuine steam engine. There weren’t many of those left. This one operated from a fancy station and was called the Lumberjack Special. It hauled people ten miles to a museum filled with memories of the day when logging was king.
For a long time he just stood and looked at that magnificent black beauty. He watched the smoke and listened to the sounds that only a steam engine makes.

But then the special moment came. He climbed up into the cab. Today he would drive this wonder. Today he would fulfill his dreams.
Some people dreamed of riding in rotating restaurants high in the sky. Some people dreamed of being in a submarine deep in the ocean.

He dreamed of being the engineer as the train rattled over one railroad bridge after another. It was going to be heaven.
His friend , who worked for the society that kept up this railroad had made the arrangements. In return he made a nice contribution to the society. It all worked out. He got to be the Engineer and they got to pay the bills.
Then he started the train in motion. None of the paying passengers knew they had a rank amateur at the controls. That was fine. His friend sat next to him to make sure he didn’t make any mistakes but he had prepared long and hard for this day.
As they left the station he blew the whistle. A little bunny standing by the track had heard it so many times it didn’t even jump.
Too soon they reached the old logging camp and his moment of glory was over. But he would remember it forever. He knew that as he drove the school bus, his regular job, he would pretend it was the engine all black and shiny. The kids would never know what they were riding in.

6 comments:

Akelamalu said...

I’m sorry I haven’t participated for a couple of POWs – I just don’t seem to have had time what with all the trips. I should have done this one though what with the train an’all shouldn’t I?

I love your story Dr. John. MWM would love to live that dream! :)

Jessie said...

One moment in time. A very nice story that everyone can relate to. We all want to live our special dream!

Thank you for visiting and commenting on my 55 (from the 14th). Hopefully I'll have more up soon.

I'll be back to visit...
smiles,

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story and what a great dream. I love the name Lumberjack Special Excellent my friend :)

Bill ~ {The Old Fart} said...

Wonderful story Dr John, Great job, The Lumberjack Special ~ Reminds me of the movie called Johnny Guitar with Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden and Mercedes McCambridge, which really had nothing to do with a train, but there was a train in it.

Glad how you were able to use the pictures I sent you.

Melli said...

Ahhhhh! 3 cheers for fantasy! Imagination! Make believe and PRETEND! We can be ANYTHING we want to be! Do ANYTHING we want to do!

Anonymous said...

He dreamed of being the engineer
I love trains. so often I think i find myself thinking of the swaying motion 'as the train rattled over one railroad bridge after another. longing for our trail to become rails again.