A strange light stung Joseph’s face, burning his closed eyes. He woke up. The light was just the early morning sun. Joseph climbed out off his straw mattress and stretched. He walked over to his wooden chest of clothes. Mam, his mother, helped him put on his clothes. “First the stockings then the garters.” mumbled Joseph, as he put them on. “How now, Mam?”
“I am well.” responded Mam. Joseph put on his breeches and doublet. He tied his shoes and Mam put the points in. Joseph snatched his hat off the hook, grabbed the yoke, and ran to the spring. He dunked the buckets under the chilly water and pulled them out. The weight of the water was so heavy Joseph almost spilled it. But he wasn’t thinking about the weight. He was thinking about the traps he had set up in the forest.
Joseph returned the water to Mam and started to run deep into the forest. Joseph thought how much his family needed the game he planned to catch. On his way, Joseph saw Jacob and Mary Hopkins playing ninepins. He wished he could join them in the game.
As Joseph walked into the forest, his breeches were cut by thorns. Winter air bit at his bare skin. Joseph saw a grove where one of his snares was set. Nothing was caught in the snare though. Joseph groaned. He lumbered over to the next snare, by a large oak tree. One baby blue jay was caught in the snare. Joseph got a little happier.
“Time for snare number three.” he thought. His third snare was near a rabbit hole. In that trap, was a big, plump rabbit. Joseph was overjoyed. He darted home, collecting firewood as he went. He walked inside and gave Mam the firewood.
“How now?” asked Pa.
“I caught big game, Pa!” Joseph cried. Pa hopped up from the chair he was sitting in and grabbed his knife. They started towards the forest.
On their way, Goodman Smith, a neighbor, asked, “How now, Goodman Marksons?”
“My wee boy has found big game for our family this winter.” explained Pa.
Goodman Smith nodded and bid, “Fare thee well.”
Joseph led Pa to the bird and rabbit. Pa cut the rope off and slung them over his shoulder. The two of them started home, very happy. Joseph could imagine the warm taste this rabbit would give. Not only that, but rye harvesting was tomorrow. Maybe he could impress Pa and make him think he was a man. Joseph was very satisfied.
2 comments:
Jacob, I am so impressed with your writing! I love it that you used language that was from another time period. I can tell that you researched the clothing of that time for your characters. How intersting. I enjoyed reading your story very much.
Wow, Jacob, this was marvelous! Isn't it so interesting to see how people spoke and dressed, and how much work it was to just find and prepare food each day! This should make you count your blessings.
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