Last Call for Coal

Johnny was a small child of 11 when he wandered into the dense forest across the field from his parent’s farmhouse. He didn’t expect much from his days travel, not much of anything really happens in the small town of Marysville, PA. The rolling golden wheat in the field behind him faded to a green-white as he went deeper into the snowy pine trees. He carefully watched his step, being sure he avoids the jagged and mossy rocks that lined the bed of the forest.

One of Johnny’s favorite past-times was exploring the forest, he loved the intoxicating aroma’s that drifted through his nose from the bountiful nature around him. He knew that tonight was Christmas, so he was mainly looking for a way to pass the time instead of thinking about the presents that were scattered under the crawlspace in the basement. His mother already scolded him once for sneaking into the basement and braving the musty dark in order to examine the brightly wrapped gifts that taunted his thoughts. If only he was able to shake them, get a better idea of what surprises awaited him.

Johnny made his way to a very familiar part of the forest but noticed something very strange on the ground. It was what appeared to be a lump of coal, roughly about the size of his fists. Ironic he thought, as he pocketed the onyx colored stone. Johnny was preoccupied by the floor beneath him he did not realize how hard the snow was falling around him. The snow coated the trees around him and fell like dandruff to the forest floor below. Johnny decided now is the time to head back to his home. He swiftly retreated to the safety and warmth of his farmhouse. Upon reaching the porch, he noticed the large metal door leading into the cellar was propped open. Strange he thought but is was the perfect opportunity to get a glimpse of the presents before the grand reveal tomorrow morning. Johnny carefully made his way through the snow and descended into the musty and cavernous recesses of his parent’s basement. The dim daylight was slowly dying out as Johnny reached the light bulb. Johnny yanked the string but to his surprise the light bulb did not turn on. He shrugged and continued searching for the packages that were stashed nearby.

Johnny had gotten to the point of using his hands and his memory to determine which obstacles were laid in front of him. At long last his hands grazed the satin-textured presents that he had been seeking. Johnny shook a package and was surprised to hear a heavy thud rattle around in the package, what was it he wondered? He reached into his pocket and pulled out the coal that he had found laying in the forest. With the precision of a surgical knife he slowly undid the tape that sealed the package, careful to not damage the wrapping or the gift inside. He opened the package successfully and pulled out what looked like a small toy truck, it was too dark to determine the color, but he was excited, nevertheless. He moved to place the toy truck on the ground below him but before he realized it, he slipped. He went tumbling to the ground below him as his arm swung out, still holding the stone it ricocheted off a steel pipe next to him. This ricochet created a large spark which illuminated the presents next to him with flames.

Mom is going to kill him he thought as he rushed to the safety of the outside. As he made his way to the metal door he entered through, only to find the door was now shut. Johnny pushed on the metal door as hard as he could to no avail as the cold metal refused to budge. He banged on the metal as the flames quickly consumed him from behind.

Cautionary Lesson: Make sure the Coal you pick up is Coal, not Flint.