Carry On Tuesday #8

This week of July 7,

"Is there anybody there", said the traveler, knocking on the moonlit door.


The snow was deep. It was blowing across the yards. The road was almost invisible in the moon light with snow blowing this way and that. No one should be out on a night like this. The weather report said that the snow would last all night and conditions would only worsen as the night wore on. It was cold and getting colder by the mile.

There was one car out this blustery cold night. But it was an emergency. The babies were coming early. He had to get to the hospital. She was crying in the back seat. "Oh dammit I can't hardly see.", he said to her, but knowing she would not hear. The pain was too great.

"I am getting off here and am going to try a back road. It will have been less traveled and maybe easier to drive on.", he explained. "Don't worry honey, I'll get you there.

Minutes later the car went into a skid and didn't stop until it hit the ditch. But they were OK. The car didn't hit anything and it landed upright.

"I see a light in the distance, I am going to walk across the field and see about some help.", he said trying to keep the worry out of his voice. "Oh please don't leave me. What will I do alone?", she cried. "It won't take long and I promise I will be back. I can't do this alone. I will call 911 and see what they say.", he said hurriedly as he prepared to leave the warmth of the car.

Thankfully the moon was full. It guided him over the unploughed field. Over furrows. He stumbled in his haste. He knew that her time was near but the babies were too early. He needed help and he needed it now.

He reached the house. The door was partly open. "Strange.", he thought. "Is there anybody there?",said the traveler, knocking on the moonlit door.

"Yes? I am here.", said an older man of indeterminate age. Though of gray hair and stooped shoulders, he had intelligent and wise eyes. "Son, what are you doing out on a night like this?", the old man queried. The traveler explained his predicament.

"Well, if you had to go off the road in the middle of the worst snow storm of the century you did it on the right road.", the wise man said. "I will get the tractor and pull you out. We will bring the woman into the house and I will get set up."

"But sir, I have to get to the hospital."

"Not tonight you won't." "I can do this son." I brought most babies in this county into the world. Some on nights even worse than this." "Now come and lets get busy.

The night suddenly seemed less cold and frightening.