The Depository for Things
A Story Every Day in 2024 Feb 23rd 54/366
I love the idea of Boo Radley, leaving things in the tree. Such a great book "To Kill a Mockingbird". I appreciate it more now than I ever did in a classroom. Life does that to you, alters your perspective.
I think that's why I started putting things in the oak in the park. I wasn't expecting people to find them but I liked the idea of them maybe being found. Does that make sense? Everyone visits that tree. It's big, stately. It has seen so much and the fact that it's still standing gives you confidence that things can continue and remain the same; that there is stability somewhere in this world.
I was surprised when I went there to check on my favourite niche and it was empty. It was just one of many places that I've placed things so I checked the others. They were all full of my gifts - a Pokemon card (I liked to imagine it being found by a young child who needed it to complete the set); a bouncy ball (one of those that flies really high on tarmac and surprises you with its playful movement when it descends to Earth, eliciting laughter); some nuts in paper (these were for the squirrels really but any nut fan could benefit); a pretty brooch in the shape of a heart (a lucky trinket for the discoverer and subsequent wearer); a pack of Wrigley's Extra (fresh breath is always winning and, of course, a modern day nod to Boo).
So, what was missing from this particular niche? The notebook. Small, leather cover like a policeman's in a film. I'd bought it in a charity shop and had stored it at home for potential scribblings. It had been months since I'd bought it when I suddenly thought I'd bring it to the oak, The Depository for Things as I've christened it.
I'm glad someone's taken it. I hope it's being used now, not languishing somewhere. I like to think of it in the hand of a child with a wax crayon. Or for shopping lists for an old bachelor. Or a writer's thought-book.
Or for the musings of a whimsical loner.
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364 words
I came up with the idea of this tree when thinking about Boo Radley and then just sat and wrote. Sometimes I wonder if I am a whimsical loner at heart. I think I might just be. And I really want to find this tree.
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
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The Good Neighbour
Beryl hadn't been out of the house for weeks. The ulcers on her legs meant that she had limited mobility and the only contact that she had was with the district nurse who came to dress them every other day. She was repellent to herself and so, did not have the confidence to partake in Life. Life didn't want her malingering around its edges, sending her rank, rotting taint through everything. Life wanted youth - fresh, smooth youth. She'd keep herself to herself until Life gave up on her.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in Fiction
Comments (15)
I read the other story first and had to come and find out who the mystery book hider was, of course. I wasn’t disappointed. It was such a lovely addition to the other, in which you portrayed an excited child perfectly. I wish all of your short stories had prequels, so to speak.
Such a contemplative and charming character! The concept and your writing elicited such curiosity and wonder
Ooh I love this idea- like a geo cache! I actually read the notebook piece first, but I love the connection. 💖
Oh this is great and as I came at this having read about the notebook first...made a lot of sense. Love the idea of an oak tree where things are just stashed...paid forward to people...like geocaching - saw that LC had said that already. Lovely little story. Well done, Rachel!
Another amazing story in a nutshell… or an oak tree! Love it. Hope these stories end up in a book 🧐😃
This made me think of geo-caching 😁
Loved this one, Rachel!! I'm a big fan of putting small treasures in curious places for anyone to find, also a big fan of To Kill a Mockingbird, film & book. Lastly, a big fan of Rachel Deeming!
"It has seen so much and the fact that it's still standing gives you confidence that things can continue and remain the same; that there is stability somewhere in this world." My favorite part....loved your giving tree.
Who but Boo could be so rad-ley as to consider the treasure for another's scribbling? (Sorry, best I could do, lol. Love this both in concept & execution.)
Private places, exposed yet privately again by another. Hopefully used, crayons notwithstanding. Very nice. Mockingbird was a favorite of mine, too. The movie still makes me cry. How Atticus would be up all night with him.
I first read ‘To kill a Mockingbird’ in the fourth grade when I found it the novel in my parents’ room. I loved the tree in the story and when Scout finally sees Boo after he saves her life and says ‘Hey, Boo.’ After reading it I stopped saying ‘Hi,’ and from that moment until the present I use the greeting ‘Hey’ instead.
Rachel your story perfectly conveys wonder and curiosity. It captures the beauty of small gestures and the joy of shared imagination. Loved your story!
Oooo, of what Pokemon that card was? I too wonder if I'm a whimsical loner at heart but do I wanna find the tree? I don't think so, lol. Loved your story!
Ooh, I feel like I might do something with this thought. Perhaps little messages.
"Thought-book" is an elegant turn of phrase. The altruistic generosity of your narrator/protagonist is lovely!