Folksburywoods Story Blog

“That’s it, lass, you got it now,” said Cliff to his friend Clara.

“The world is swirling around me,” replied his friend.

The two friends had grown up on either side of the tracks. Cliff’s mother believed that the color of one’s skin never determined a good soul.

“I love it when I can let myself go, Cliff. I’m floating through the sky,” said Clara.

A few people decided that the two should not play together. Cliff’s mother took it upon herself to provide her son with a safe place. She created a haven for him to be with his friend.

“Mama, why are people so cruel? Clara is a good person. She helps the poor as her church taught her to do,” ask Cliff.

“Child, the world is a crazy place. Yet, that does not mean we have to be a part of it,” said his mother.

Every Wednesday, Cliff’s mother takes the two children to her father’s fishing shack, giving them an afternoon free from fear.

Years later, the children had grown up. They returned to thank Cliff’s mother with an unexpected gift.

“I want to give you my Olympic gold medal for dance,” said Clara.

“This is for you,” said Cliff as he handed his mother the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“Why, children, these are too precious to give to an old woman,” said Cliff’s mother.

“Ma’am,” said Clara. “I would have never dreamed I could touch the stars. Your courage to defy those who wish to harm us made it possible.”

“Mother, you showed me that money and power are only means to harm less fortunate people. True courage comes by doing the right thing even when others say you’re wrong,” Cliff said.

Folks in the town smile and wave when they see Cliff and Clara walking together. The smile is paper-thin and the wave mechanical.

Racial hate still simmers among small-minded people. They have no dreams bigger than pushing others down. They do this to lift themselves above the rest.

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