Bad Idea

One early morning not so long ago, in a place not so far away, a girl named Anna went on a brisk walk with her friend Mary. As they travelled on the woodland path running between the river and the train tracks they talked about their families' pasts and learned that each had had a grandfather who was a hobo. Oh, how this aroused Anna's slumbering desire to jump a train someday. "That's a stupid idea," said her wise friend. And though Anna had to agree, she couldn't shake the intoxicating feeling of adventure.

Just then the smokey sound of engine could be heard through the trees as a rasping old locomotive rounded the hill behind them. "Oh, Mary! Now's our chance!" Mary repeated to Anna that she thought it was a foolish fancy, coupled with the fact that there was no way to get to the tracks. Mary was firm. Finally Anna admitted again that Mary was right and wise beyond her years. But as they walked they came upon a small forgotten trail winding amongst the blackberries from their path to the tracks. It was lined with ribbon and gumdrops and midgets beckoning to them to come. Wise Mary was hesitant, but agreed to witness Anna's fleeting hobo career. Anna took her running start and jumped onto the train, letting the fresh wind whip her dark hair behind her. She let out a gleeful whoop and waved to Mary as she passed. Then Anna jumped off, her heart filled with the mystery and triumph of danger defeated. She ran to Mary, who was faltering in her resolve. "Okay, that looked fun. I'll try it too," said Mary. Mary backtracked then ran in the direction of the train until she was even in speed. As she jumped onto the extended ladder her hand barely missed the dewey bar, causing her to slip, and after a split second of valiantly holding on with her other hand she landed hard on the rocks inches from the tracks, limbs flailing in disoriented confusion. Anna, having run beside the train with Mary, grabbed an arm on its way to sudden death beneath the wheels and rolled Mary away from under the train and out of harm's way.

Lying face down, Mary moaned as Anna examined the wound on the back of her head and double checked that each limb and digit was in place. Soothingly, she encouraged Mary to lie still, then wildly looked about making sure nobody had witnessed the illegal activities of their morning. All clear. Eventually, Mary was able to sit up, then stand with Anna under her arm. They slowly picked their way back through the blackberries (the midgets having disappeared), and continued on their way home.

Mary recovered completely, though she suffered a headache for the next two days. Coming home that morning, Anna was racked with guilt at what had almost happened to her friend. Upon telling her husband (who wasn't surprised--should she be offended?) about it, he replied, "Do you know how many people die each year from trains? That was a bad idea."