The Misbegotten Pear

Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted a pear. She wanted a pear because she wanted to share pears. You see, Penny had recently discovered the sweet wonder of a perfect pear. It made her feel peaceful and alive. Penny thought the best thing for everyone was to try a pear, just in case it could make them feel the same.

So, Penny saved her pennies. And her nickels, and even a dime. She stowed them in a vessel meant only for sacred things. A feather, a shell, a rock. Soon it would hold enough coins to buy her very own pear. She would have to hurry though, the big party at the end of the summer would be the perfect place to share pears. Penny would do anything to ensnare a pear. Even brush her hair.

Days passed and chores of all sizes were dared. Coins continued to be secured and after weeks of determination Penny’s diligence nearly earned her the sums required. Her final chore would be helping her father bake the cake for the end of summer party. Once the dessert was frosted Penny grabbed her dough and was out the door.

Marching to the store Penny was intent on bringing home a winning pear. Envisioning the green luster and the waft of its sweet fragrance she pressed forward. Penny had worked for her wish. She willed it. She was ready to win the day. Hummel’s Specialty Foods, on the far side of the park, would have what she needed.

Green awnings with white lettering ran the length of the block. Penny was ever in awe at the rainbow of colors that was the grocer’s fruit stand. She passed by apples and oranges, did not even consider the bananas. Normally Penny would linger by the kiwi wondering if she would ever be brave enough to bite into its furry hide, but not today. Today she was thinking of all the wishing she had done and all the work she put into her wishes. She was focused on the party planned for later and all the people that would get to share a pear.

Penny was so intent on the party she found it odd to notice a striking pear at the base of the mound. This pear was ripe, this pear was ready. She snatched it and held it tight, letting the future smiles invade her thoughts. Once she had the bag of victuals her family needed Penny placed the pear on top, careful not to bruise the fruit. Gliding up the sidewalk she was elated to have finally secured her prize.

Maybe it was the giddiness of finding the pear, maybe it was the warm breeze under the trees, but when Penny was crossing the park, she did not see the unleashed dog. They collided; groceries went everywhere. The pear did not fare well in the fracas. Smashed on the path and scuffed to the grass it was barely a pear anymore. When the dust settled Penny could not recognize her beloved fruit, its seeds and mush sprawled on the lawn. Out of money, out of time, Penny collected what she could and went home.

While at the party, the next week, all fall long and the months of school, she could not help but be disgruntled at how her plan, despite all her work, had not worked. Penny thought about that misbegotten pear and how it had been squashed much like her hopes. All she wanted to do was to share the wonderful world of pears! Now that she had failed, she could not bear to stare at another pear, let alone share the rarified air of the town square.

Winter passed and Penny forgot about the incident, but she could not forget about pears. Spring rolled into summer; summer lost its battle with fall. A year slipped by, then two more. One day she was walking on the very same path through the park to the grocer. It was late spring; the breeze was warm. Maybe it was the giddiness of May, but Penny looked up to see a passel of blossoms where there shouldn't be. She spied them carefully as well as the shiny brown trunks of the little trees that held them.

“Odd place for an orchard,” Penny said, then caught her breath as visions from years ago flooded back. “Could this be?” Penny stared at the hundreds of blooms that soon would be bushels of pears. Then she thought of the wishes and the work and the dog. A smile spread across her face when she realized just how many people would get to share these pears.

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