{"id":2157,"date":"2009-10-31T01:27:59","date_gmt":"2009-10-31T05:27:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2157"},"modified":"2026-07-22T09:42:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T13:42:01","slug":"the-birthday-wish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2157","title":{"rendered":"The Birthday Wish (by pony)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>It’s Joe’s birthday, and he’s making a wish. But the Cartwrights don’t realize it’s someone else’s birthday too … and he has a secret wish of his own. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K \u00a0WC 3300<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Birthday Wish<\/strong>
\n\u201cJoseph.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright\u2019s youngest son froze, one hand reaching toward the door. \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d he replied \u2013 but he did not turn around.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was only then, slowly and reluctant, that Joe turned toward his father, crossing his arms over his chest as he did.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t defiance. Rather, Joe was trying \u2013 unsuccessfully \u2013 to hide the conspicuous lump that bulged out from under his shirt. Shuffling across the room, Joe finally lifted his eyes from the floor to his father\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

And saw kindness. If he\u2019d looked more closely, Joe might also have seen a mixture of amusement and curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to tell me what this is all about?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cThis is, what, the third time this week?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fifth, actually, but Joe chose to answer the first question instead. Even then, it took a moment to find the words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, there\u2019s this kid. And I don\u2019t think he\u2019s getting enough to eat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face now reflected surprise. He hadn\u2019t expected this, having agreed with Hoss and Adam\u2019s guesses that Joe had a dog hidden somewhere on the Ponderosa. It was no secret that Joe wanted a dog; he had been asking for one for years, and none of them could help but notice that the wheedling had inexplicably stopped just short of Joe\u2019s birthday, a season when they\u2019d all assumed the begging would only increase.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, Joseph. Where does this boy live?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cI just meet him in the woods, over by the lake in Packsaddle Holler. I mean, he has a little camp there, with a lean-to, like me and Hoss used to have when we was kids\u201d \u2013 Ben smiled at his son\u2019s implication that he was no longer a child \u2013 \u201cbut I don\u2019t know where his real house is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019ve not met his parents?\u201d Ben asked gently, and Joe shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

But now Joe met his father\u2019s gaze straight on, and Ben saw how troubled Joe was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? I \u2026 I don\u2019t think they take very good care of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you mean, do you think they beat him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo. Well, not really. I mean, they just \u2026 his ma and pa, they don\u2019t like each other very much, and I don\u2019t think they like him at all. His pa, I think he just doesn\u2019t say nothing at all. But his ma \u2026\u201d Joe stopped for just a moment, then took a deep breath and went on. Ben\u2019s heart ached; it was still so difficult for Joe to think of his own mother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis ma, she\u2019s always yelling at him, blaming him for everything, says he\u2019s no good. He doesn\u2019t have any friends because she embarrasses him in front of other kids. Sometimes she says she\u2019s gonna kill herself because he\u2019s so bad. But Pa, he ain\u2019t bad. He\u2019s just a kid like me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that he had gotten started, Joe rushed to unload the burden he had been carrying. \u201cSometimes he cries when he tells me these things. One time, he was so upset, telling me about his ma, he even got sick. He doesn\u2019t know what to do, Pa \u2026 and neither do I.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben pondered this information, walking slowly toward the fireplace, while Joe waited, staring up at his father with hopeful, beseeching eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know his parents\u2019 names?\u201d he asked finally, and Joe shook his head again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Pa, I don\u2019t even know his name, and that\u2019s the truth. I asked him, but he didn\u2019t want to tell me. So I said it didn\u2019t matter. We\u2019re friends anyway, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded, still trying to digest the story his son had shared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell you what,\u201d he said finally. \u201cDo you think this boy, your friend, would come here for dinner if you invited him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shrugged doubtfully. \u201cI dunno, Pa. He\u2019s pretty spooky about other people. I don\u2019t think he\u2019d want to answer a bunch of questions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cWhat if you promised him there would be no questions? What if he were just to come as your guest \u2013 for your birthday tomorrow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe brightened. \u201cHe might. I can ask him, anyway. Can\u2019t I, Pa? And can I take this food to him now? I know he\u2019s waiting for me, and he\u2019ll be hungry if I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, go on,\u201d Ben nodded. \u201cBut just to Packsaddle Hollow and back. Before dark. Tell your friend he\u2019s welcome to dinner tomorrow night, and he can stay the night if he wishes. No questions asked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d Joe\u2019s grin flashed as he turned back toward the door. \u201cI think you\u2019ll really like him. He\u2019s a lot like me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Ben was stunned. \u201cA lot like me,\u201d Joe had said, but that didn\u2019t begin to describe the physical similarity between the two boys who stood in front of him.<\/span>\u00a0 Two boys, one freshly 12 years old and the other obviously close in age. The same height and similar builds, although Joe \u2013 whom nobody would describe as \u201cstocky\u201d \u2013 looked positively robust in comparison to the thin boy at his side. Joe\u2019s complexion was tanned and healthy, while the other boy looked pale and wan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s curly hair \u2013 which Ben noted needed to be cut \u2013 tumbled carelessly about his head. His friend\u2019s was shorter, and combed tightly back as though to subdue his own curls. Two pairs of green eyes blinked up at him, one trusting, one guarded.\u00a0 But despite these differences, the boys could have been twins. Hoss and Adam, standing behind their father, were also staring in amazement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben regained his composure, and held out his hand toward the boy at Joe\u2019s side. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to the Ponderosa,\u201d he said kindly. \u201cWe\u2019re happy you could join us for Joe\u2019s birthday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy started to say something, seemed to change his mind, and said only, <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. This is a nice house, Mr. Cartwright. It\u2019s even nicer than I ever imagined.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The night before, as Ben had tucked him into bed, Joe had speculated that his friend might be from New Orleans. When his father asked why he had come to that conclusion, Joe had replied, \u201cBecause he don\u2019t talk like he\u2019s from around here. You and Adam say Mama had a different way of talking, that everyone in New Orleans talks different from us out here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, this boy was definitely not from the South. Ben immediately placed the accent as somewhere from the New England states, and judging from the sound, this boy had not been in the West for very long.<\/span><\/p>\n

But he had promised not to ask any questions, and Ben Cartwright intended to keep that promise. \u201cThank you, young man,\u201d he replied. \u201cLet me introduce you to Joe\u2019s brothers. Adam \u2026 and Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy shrank back a little as the two approached; Adam, so dark and intimidating, and Hoss, so large and overwhelming. The boy glanced uncertainly at Joe, but Joe gave him an encouraging nod, and he stepped forward timidly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s voice was warm and sincere. \u201cWe\u2019re glad you could come,\u201d he said politely, offering a strong hand to shake.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Hoss was friendly, but gentle. \u201cHowdy,\u201d he smiled, pumping the boy\u2019s hand. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to meetcha.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Relieved at having survived the introductions, the boy looked even more pleased at Ben\u2019s next words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you take your friend upstairs to your room? Dinner won\u2019t be ready for a while yet, and you\u2019ll want to show him around and get cleaned up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys clattered up the stairs. As soon as they heard the sound of the slamming door \u2013 Joe always slammed his door \u2013 Ben, Adam and Hoss exchanged looks of disbelief.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see that?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cHe looks enough like Joe to be his brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis twin brother,\u201d Adam added. \u201cPa, where did this kid come from? I haven\u2019t seen him in Virginia City. And I\u2019m pretty sure somebody would have mentioned a kid who looks just like Joe if they had seen him around town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know where his family lives,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cJoe meets him down by Packsaddle Hollow. They play there, and that\u2019s where Joe\u2019s been taking the food. Remember, no questions tonight. But maybe he\u2019ll say something that will give us some answers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s birthday dinner was a festive affair. Joe was cheerful and chatty, more than making up for his friend\u2019s reserved silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben decided that asking \u201cMore chicken?\u201d did not break his promise, and judging by the response, it was one question the boy was happy to hear. As thin as he was, the boy\u2019s appetite matched Hoss\u2019, and Ben was determined to make sure the meal continued long enough to give the boy the opportunity to eat all he wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

As it turned out, that gave Joe, Hoss and Adam plenty of time for bantering and teasing one another. Although silent at first, as the evening went on, the boy occasionally interjected a wry, witty remark, and was clearly pleased, although somewhat surprised, that his contributions to the conversation seemed welcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 and then Joe jumped up and yelled \u2018Whoa! Whoa!\u2019 I thought Pastor Harding was gonna fall outta the pulpit!\u201d Hoss roared with laughter as he finished telling another story about Joe\u2019s misadventures at church, and everyone joined in.\u00a0<\/span>
\nEven Joe. Even the strange boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noting that the ravenous intake of food had slowed, Ben figured it was time to offer dessert to his son\u2019s friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApple pie tonight,\u201d he announced. \u201cIn honor of Joseph\u2019s birthday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYum!\u201d Joe cried, bouncing in his seat, adding, \u201cYou\u2019re gonna love Hop Sing\u2019s apple pie. It\u2019s the best!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy shook his head in wonderment of the bounty he had experienced already, as Hop Sing, on cue, appeared with not one pie, but two. \u201cHappy day to Litterl Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cWe celeblate the day you born. For sure, a happy day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure!\u201d Hoss echoed enthusiastically. \u201cHappy birthday, Little Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife sure got exciting when you showed up,\u201d Adam said with a smile. \u201cHappy birthday, younger brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour birthday was a very happy day for me,\u201d Ben said, reaching out to take his son\u2019s hand. \u201cYou have been a wonderful gift to my life, Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy stared longingly at Ben\u2019s hand as it rested on Joe\u2019s, but Joe just smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa. Thanks,\u201d Joe said, looking around the table at his brothers. \u201cCan I cut the pie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They all laughed then, even the boy, and Joe proved to be generous with his portions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s too much,\u201d Ben protested as Joe passed a heaping plate to his father, but the boys laughed him down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s now or never, Pa,\u201d Adam chuckled. \u201cBetter eat it; I have the feeling there won\u2019t be much left over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The slices were all so large that it was easy to pretend not to notice how very large a piece Joe cut for his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more song?\u201d Joe wheedled, recognizing the chords Adam often played toward the end of an evening of music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure; it\u2019s your birthday, after all. What would you like to hear?\u201d Adam replied, smiling at Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, I don\u2019t know, we\u2019ve sung about everything I know,\u201d Joe replied. His father and brothers laughed; clearly, Joe had been postponing bedtime as much as wanting to continue the singing. Then Joe turned to his friend, who had been sitting somewhat in the background as the Cartwrights had harmonized together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour turn,\u201d Joe said. \u201cPick a song.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taken by surprise, the boy stammered for a moment, then doubtfully suggested, \u201cUh, \u2018Home on the Range\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I know that one,\u201d Adam said gently, wishing he could have given the boy a more positive response. \u201cDo you think you could start it off, see if I can pick it up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy cast a wild look at Joe, but Joe nodded confidently. \u201cI know this one,\u201d Joe told his family. \u201cHe taught me; we sing sometimes down at the lake. Come on, I\u2019ll sing with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, Joe\u2019s was the only voice they heard, but gradually, the other boy\u2019s trembling, uncertain notes became stronger, and by the time Adam had picked up on the melody, the two boys, sitting side by side in the shadows, were singing in a pure, sweet harmony.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,<\/span><\/em>
\n Where the deer and the antelope play.<\/span><\/em>
\n Where seldom is heard a discouraging word<\/span><\/em>
\n And the skies are not cloudy all day.<\/span><\/em>
\n Home, home on the range \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very nice,\u201d Adam said quietly, strumming the notes again as the boys fell silent. \u201cI\u2019ll remember this one. Where did you learn it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn school,\u201d the boy said. \u201cI thought since it was about cowboys, you might know it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam frowned a little, puzzled, then smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s very nice,\u201d he said again. \u201cBut it\u2019s getting late, isn\u2019t it, Pa? I think I know just the song to close with, and then we don\u2019t want to forget something really important to end the day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had only to play the first chord before everyone joined together in singing \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d to a grinning Joe Cartwright, and as Hoss carried the final \u201ctoooo yooooooou\u201d into a coyote yowl that made everyone laugh, Ben stood and picked up a box that had been tucked onto the corner of the mantle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, this is for you,\u201d he said. \u201cHappy birthday, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes sparkled in the firelight. \u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d he said, eagerly reaching toward the gift. He tore the box open, then cried out in delight. \u201cWow, thanks! Look \u2013 \u201d<\/span>
\nAnd he held up a pocketknife, its blades glinting like silver.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that the one you wanted?\u201d Ben asked, and he was laughing because he knew it was. Besides a dog, the pocketknife from Goldstein\u2019s General Store had been the object of Joe\u2019s desire for months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, this is it!\u201d Joe said, busily exploring the blades. \u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHappy birthday, son,\u201d Ben said again, then added, \u201cWell, it\u2019s late, boys. Time for bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne more thing!\u201d Hoss cried. \u201cDon\u2019t forget, Joe hasta make a birthday wish!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, mustn\u2019t forget that,\u201d Ben chuckled. \u201cJoe? Are you ready to make a wish?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded and leaped to his feet. Reaching into the basket of firestarts next to the fireplace, Joe chose a pinecone. Holding it tightly, he closed his eyes and whispered the words of his wish. Opening his eyes, he tossed the pinecone into the fireplace, and watched as the flames sparked with color.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy wish will come true!\u201d he crowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so it will,\u201d Ben said. \u201cAnd now, boys, upstairs you go \u2013 \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The voice was so soft that at first Ben wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d heard him. But the boy reached up and impulsively took hold of Ben\u2019s sleeve and spoke again. \u201cMr. Cartwright? Today is my birthday too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights stared at the boy in stunned silence for a moment. Two boys who looked so much alike, also sharing a birthday? For a moment, Ben felt strangely unsettled, then finally found his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, happy birthday to you, too, young man. I wish we had known that; we certainly can still sing \u2013 \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy shook his head impatiently. \u201cThat\u2019s all right. But \u2013 do you think \u2013 can I make a wish too?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben knelt down and looked into the boy\u2019s eyes, and felt an eerie sense of unreality as he looked into his son\u2019s eyes in another child\u2019s face \u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you may,\u201d he said, his voice quiet and kind. \u201cChoose a pinecone, and make a wish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the flames change color, your wish will come true,\u201d Joe whispered, and the boy darted a quick, hopeful glance at his young host.<\/span><\/p>\n

He stared into the basket of firestarts, finally selecting the largest pinecone. He clutched it tightly in both hands, eyes squeezed shut, and nobody could miss the look of absolute desperation on his face as his lips moved, silently wishing for some secret thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

He opened his eyes and threw the pinecone into the fire as hard as he could.<\/span><\/p>\n

The room was absolutely still, absolutely silent, as they all held their breaths and stared at the flames \u2026 <\/span>\u2026 then gasped in unison as the blaze exploded into a rainbow of sparks, reflecting an iridescent glow on their faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour wish will come true! Your wish will come true!\u201d Joe shouted, dancing around his friend even as the multicolored embers continued to glow. \u201cWow, Pa, did you see that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joseph,\u201d Ben replied, his voice shaking. \u201cI saw it \u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had swept his friend into an exuberant hug when the strange boy suddenly froze, head tilted, as though hearing something far away. Ben looked around, trying to shake off a sense of disorientation that had swept over him, trying to discern what had captured the boy\u2019s attention. Then the boy abruptly pulled away from Joe and ran toward the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to go,\u201d he panted, out of breath as though he had been running for miles. \u201cMy mother is calling me \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t \u2013 Is she outside?\u201d Ben was confused. Something in the room seemed to have changed, but he didn\u2019t know what it was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo \u2013 yes \u2013 I mean, please, Mr. Cartwright, she can\u2019t find me here. Thanks for everything \u2013 the meal, and especially the wish. But I gotta go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy seemed almost in a panic now, staring at Ben with pleading eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben moved quickly to the boy\u2019s side, and placed a hand on his shoulder. \u201cOf course you may go if you like,\u201d he said. \u201cBut you are always welcome here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy stared up at him, and it seemed that his eyes were losing focus. For moment, Ben wondered if the boy might faint \u2013 then realized it was he who seemed to be losing consciousness. But the boy\u2019s voice was strong as he said, \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll be back. But thank you for letting me be part of your family tonight. That\u2019s how I knew what to wish for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy looked past Ben now and toward Joe, whose brothers stood protectively at his side, and Ben wondered at their shadowy silhouettes against the sparkling fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, time\u2019s running out, and I gotta go. Thanks \u2013 thanks for everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean? Where are you going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy shook his head. \u201cDon\u2019t look for me; I won\u2019t be there. But I\u2019ll see you again someday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Confused, not knowing what else to say, Joe cried, \u201cBut I don\u2019t even know your name!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy had already opened the door and stepped outside as Joe spoke. The October wind, whispering through the Ponderosa pines, seemed to say, \u201cWish \u2026 wish \u2026.\u201d and once again, Ben had the feeling that the entire balance of the room had shifted.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy hesitated for just a moment, and then seemed to make up his mind. Just before he vanished into the darkness, his voice called back, \u201cYou can call me Michael \u2026 Michael Landon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The End<\/span><\/p>\n

Author\u2019s note:\u00a0<\/span>
\nAs a young boy growing up in an unhappy home, Michael Landon often played by himself in the woods, imagining himself as part of a family who loved one another. I believe he found that family when he became Joe Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0It’s Joe’s birthday, and he’s making a wish. But the Cartwrights don’t realize it’s someone else’s birthday too … and he has a secret wish of his own.<\/p>\n

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