Summary:\u00a0 *With thanks and apologies to either Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston Jr (apparently there\u2019s some question\u2026)
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 525 words<\/p>\n
Written for the Bonanza Brand 2024 Advent Calendar<\/p>\n
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Bonanza<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n ~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n * Day 13 *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n And To All A Good(ish) Night<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf84<\/p>\n \u2018Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,<\/p>\n Little Joe Cartwright crept, soft as a mouse.<\/p>\n The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,<\/p>\n But surely his favored gift wouldn\u2019t be there.<\/p>\n Hop Sing in his night clothes and Pa in his cap<\/p>\n Had just settled down for a long winter\u2019s nap\u2014<\/p>\n And if he was careful to not make a clatter,<\/p>\n No one would come check to see what was the matter.<\/p>\n Away to the front door he crept in a flash,<\/p>\n Slipped onto the porch and across made a dash.<\/p>\n The moon on the yard and the dusting of snow<\/p>\n Gave a luster of day to the barn door below.<\/p>\n Then what to his wondering eyes did appear?<\/p>\n Handlebars and a frame and two wheels (but no gears).<\/p>\n It was in the last stall, it had been no trick,<\/p>\n And he nudged the door wide with a long-practiced kick.<\/p>\n More rapid than eagles!\u2014 than horses!\u2014that frame,<\/p>\n And he whistled and shouted and called it by name.<\/p>\n \u201cA bicycle! I knew that I heard Pa was fixin\u2019<\/p>\n To get a big package from old Mr. Dixon.<\/p>\n Should I ride it right now, or will I take a fall?<\/p>\n But I want to! I want to! I want to, and all!\u201d<\/p>\n As dry leaves the breeze lifts and takes up to the sky,<\/p>\n Joseph mounted the bicycle ready to fly.<\/p>\n Down the breezeway, out the barn door he blew,<\/p>\n Curls bouncing and howling a joyous, \u201cYahoo!\u201d<\/p>\n And then in a twinkling he knew he had goofed,<\/p>\n For he heard confused voices from beneath the roof.<\/p>\n He thought real quick and was turning around<\/p>\n But then out the door his Pa burst with a bound!<\/p>\n He was rumpled and worn from his head to to his foot,<\/p>\n And his clothes were all crooked, his feet without boots.<\/p>\n His pistol and gun belt were slung cross his back<\/p>\n And he looked fierce and ready\u2014then his jaw went slack.<\/p>\n His eyes, how they blazed! His \u201cJoseph!\u201d how scary!<\/p>\n His breath fogged before him, nose red like a cherry.<\/p>\n Hop Sing came behind, cleaver ready to throw,<\/p>\n But he put it away. \u201cBack to China I go!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was next, his knife drawn from its sheath,<\/p>\n Then he stopped and stood watching and gritting his teeth.<\/p>\n Hoss only laughed, holding onto his belly,<\/p>\n Then ducked back inside\u2014there were muffins and jelly.<\/p>\n With his family awake and no need now for stealth,<\/p>\n Joseph laughed when he saw them in spite of himself.<\/p>\n With a wink of his eye and a twist of his head<\/p>\n Joe jumped back on his bike, far too wound up for bed.<\/p>\n He made ready to flee, turned the bike with a jerk,<\/p>\n His feet hit the pedals, his legs went to work.<\/p>\n So cheeky his grin and gallant his pose\u2014<\/p>\n He just couldn\u2019t help himself now, I suppose.<\/p>\n His pa leaped from the porch, to his son gave a whistle,<\/p>\n But away that boy flew like the down of a thistle.<\/p>\n And they heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,<\/p>\n \u201cMerry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Invention: Bicycle <\/p>\n
\nCharacter:\u00a0\u00a0Joe<\/p>\n