A Book With No Pictures

Grandma Lu had decided to spend a nice quiet day at the library. She wanted to find a good book and perhaps read part of it in the library where no television would bother her.

She looked through the shelves of fiction and non fiction books; make believe stories and true stories. What did she want to read? She passed up the mysteries because she always wanted to solve the mystery before the end of the book and found herself sometimes cheating by reading the end before she had finished the story.

Some of the folks that worked at the library knew her and softly said hello. One librarian asked her if she could help her find a book. Grandma Lu said, "No, thank you. I'm not sure what I want to read today."

She found herself sitting in a soft chair that overlooked a large part of the library. Then she grinned as she saw a sign that said, Children's books age eight through twelve. "Well I wonder what children that age are reading nowadays. Probably nothing like I did at that age."  She got up and walked over to the shelf and saw many titles that she didn't recognize. Some were about space and dinosaurs. She did see some Nancy Drew mysteries just like the ones she used to read at that age. Then she spotted it; a copy of a book that she had read so many years ago. She carefully took it off the shelf and carried it to the soft chair. When she had made herself comfortable she looked at the cover and could almost see her mother and hear her voice saying, "LuAnne, I think that book is too old for you. It will have words in it that you won't know or understand." The book was called Heidi. It was the first book that she had gotten at the library before she started reading the Little House on the Prairie and Box Car Children series.

As Grandma Lu was softly turning pages and reading about the author she noticed a young child watching her. Grandma Lu loved children and said softly, "Hello!" The child's mother was watching and put her finger to her lips warning the child to be quiet since they were in the library. Grandma Lu smiled and whispered what's your name? "Joey." "Well, my name is Grandma Lu. Are you and your mom going to find a book to read?" Joey, said, "Yup. One with pictures of trucks. I like trucks." Grandma Lu smiled and said, "I am sure they have lots of books that you will like." Joey looked at Grandma Lu's book and said, "Why are you reading a book without pictures?" Well Grandma Lu kind of tilted her head to one side and said, "I don't need pictures. I use my imagination." Joey said, "What's 'magination?"

Grandma Lu patted the chair beside her and motioned for Joey's mom to sit as well. Grandma Lu patted Joey's hand and said, "Joey, do you like ice cream?" He immediately said, "Yes!" Grandma Lu said, 'Ok, Joey, now close your eyes and try to picture the biggest ice cream cone in the world. Can you see it?" Joey squealed and said, "Yes, I can and it's as big as a house!" Of course, Joey's mom told him to be quiet and gave Grandma Lu a look too. Grandma Lu said, "Joey, you just used your imagination. Wasn't that fun? That's what I do when I read a book without pictures. I can just see what the words would look like without using a picture to do it."

Joey took his mom's hand and said, "Come on, Mom. I need a book with pictures today, because my 'magination isn't good enough yet. When we get home can I have ice cream while we read a book about trucks? A book with really big trucks just like my dad drives. That's what I'm going to do when I grow up. I'm going to drive a big truck just like my dad."

Grandma Lu watched them walk away and saw the big smile on the little boy's face when he found just the right book about a really big truck. 

She looked down at her book and started to read. "Aah, what a nice afternoon this has turned out to be." she thought as she turned to page one of the book called Heidi.

Chapter 3: Lola Learns What A Family Means

 Lola was so scared she could barely think. She just knew she was going to die. She was shivering so hard she was afraid she would shake herself right into the water. Why oh why did I dream about the New World? I should just have been happy with the life I was living. I was told to be careful what I wish for. I was safe and sound at the palace even though I was penned up. I was fed, and had fresh water. There were servants that took me for walks. Oh how I wish I was safe and sound now!

Lola had carefully walked down the bank to the water like the big dog had told her to. Gus! That was his name. He said he would be back. I hope he brings back some nice humans. I still see some flames in the distance. I think he would be a good friend like Marco was. He is big and strong and I think he would help and protect me. She peeked through the tall weeds that grew by the river bank. She could still see flames, but they were a long ways away. She knew enough about fire to know that if the wind blew away from her she would be safe. She couldn't feel any wind, but now to wait for Gus. She decided to relax a little bit. The shivering stopped. She looked down at the water. It was clear. She took a taste. Oh it was so cold and so good. She drank some more and decided she would be alright until Gus came to get her, or some humans came. He did promise...

Suddenly she was picked up by a pair of gentle hands. "There there now. You are safe, little one. Yes, you are safe. I am going to take you home with me. Gus tugged and tugged on my hand. Yes, he did. He led me right to you, so you two must be best friends. just like Gus and I are. You know what, I might have a special toy for you at my house. We can all snuggle together in my living room. Butter Cup will love you."

Lola hummed happily in the young man's arms. She couldn't wait to have a real home again. It had been such a long long time. "I wonder who Butter Cup is."

Lola didn't care. She just knew her new home was going to be wonderful. Gus kept his promise. "Now I wonder what the future holds for me. Whatever it is, I am never going to wish for something better. Never, ever!"

There was something strange in the air. She sniffed and couldn't tell what the new smell was. The clouds were swirling in the sky and it seemed like she was flying through the air. "Oh no! What is happening? Am I going to die after all? I thought I was rescued! I wish I was safe and sound!" Suddenly she flew out of the young man's arms with a huge thump!

The grass was green. There were strange shelter looking things that looked like flat palaces. They were bigger than the cottages she had seen. There were lots of flowers. The roads were black and hard. Some of the roads were full of rocks and uncomfortable to walk on. 

The young man picked her up and said, "Here we are, little one. Mom will think you are cute. Gus already likes you, now we need to see what Butter Cup thinks of you. That might be a bit of a problem.

Lola instantly saw that Butter Cup was a cat! She jumped out of the young man's arms and took off after that cat! She was not going to add misery to mystery to her day. The one thing she knew was that she did not like cats. In an instant she felt herself being swooped up and in the arms of a nice lady. "Whoa, there, little one. We are all friends here. Butter Cup is a nice cat. She chases and catches mice for me. Gus gets along just fine with her. So if you want to stay here with us you have to be nice to her too."

"What a day this has been. I have to be nice to cats in this strange land. I know I can do it for awhile until I get to the New World. Maybe in this land I can find myself  someone whom will help me. I know I shouldn't wish again, but how I do wish I could go on the ship to the New World."

The young man said, "Here you go little one. This is the toy I promised you. Gus will sit here by me and Butter Cup will sit on my lap. There now supper will be in a little while. I think you will like your new home. You are now part of our family."

Chapter 2: Gus to the Rescue!

 "Hey, Guys! What's all the racket about? Something I should know about?" Winston and Romeo stopped their barking and walked over to the big Boxer. "Sure is! If you would have looked behind you, you would have seen that little bitty canoe hit the river bank. You aren't going to believe this, but there was a mouse using the oars and a little white dog barking her head off. I didn't see what happened to them, did you, Romeo?" 

"No, I did not. I mind my own business; not like some dogs I know." Gus grinned to himself. He had heard these two bicker back and forth for quite a long time. "I think they secretly like each other, but would never admit it."

"So whereabouts did this so called shipwrecked canoe hit the bank? Was it anywhere close by? I could walk over and see if they need any help."

Winston, the black lab started to point his tail in the direction that the sun was starting to set. "Over there I think. There's probably nothing that we can do for them. The mouse probably up and ran away from the dog. Who knows where the dog went. She kind of looked like a city ball of fluff if you ask me. Didn't recognize what breed she was. Anyway, I think I'll crawl back under the fence. You had better too, Romeo. You know that Mike and his lady get all kinds of upset if we dig under the fence. See you later, Gus. We have to kick back the dirt against the fence so they don't see that we have been out."

Gus watched them run down by the river bank and indeed both of them crawled under their fence and pretended like they had done nothing wrong and were just being lazy in the warm sunshine. "What a pair those two are."

" I like to help people and other dogs too if I can. I wonder where that little white dog went to. I have a little bit of time left before I have to get back to work. If I can't find her soon, I will have to leave. I hate that there might be a little one out here lost and all alone."

Gus walked slowly in the direction that Winston had pointed to. He didn't see a sign of a canoe, mouse, or a small white dog.  He made a soft growl in his throat. "A mouse and a canoe. I like a good story, but this one was probably not even worth his time looking for them" he thought. Those two dogs, Winston and Romeo, liked to pull pranks and make up stories for fun.

All of sudden he smelled smoke. "This is not good. He started running in the opposite direction towards his home. No! There was fire about a half mile away. "I have to get home and make sure my master and his mom are alright. Then he heard it. Whimpering. "Sounds like a little size dog that's in trouble. I have to get home." Then he saw her. She was hiding in the bushes. She was so little and so very scared. He ran over to her and said, "Little lady, you need help. There is a fire about ten minutes away. I'll get you to safety. I'll put you close to the water. I have to go home and make sure my folks are alright. If they are safe and the humans put out the fire I will come back and get you. You will be okay. Get yourself a drink. I'll be back. I promise. I will try to bring a human back with me. They will get you some shelter and food and water. Now you stay right there!

Lola and Louie Chapter 1: Sink or Swim

Saying good-bye to Marco was the saddest thing that Lola had ever done. He had been not only a best friend, but a protector and and life saver to say the least. Now all she had was this mouse, who says his name is Louie. Well, in this land most all mice had the same name; Louie. She sure was glad her name was a pretty one. However, he was willing to take her to the ship that was headed to the New World. At least, that's what he said. She had to give up eating meat to please him. Berries and cheese were okay, but a nice juicy bone to chew on would be a wonderful treat. 

 As they floated down stream she heard more and different noises. Her little nose seemed to twitch at every turn. The smells were so much different than in the city. It was so much different than she was used to she was a little, no a lot frightened. She found herself curled up in the bottom of the little boat and hoping that Louie knew where he was going. She so wanted to get on board a ship that was going to The New World. She could just imagine what it was like. Oh it was going to be beautiful with lots of trees and beautiful flowers. She closed her eyes and could just see the birds with their red and blue and even yellow feathers. They were singing her song. She couldn't wait!

 Ouch! She let out a little yip. "What happened? Is the boat alright?" Louis just wiggled his nose and ignored her. He wasn't a bit happy about doing this favor for Marco. He was used to doing and going whatever and wherever he wanted to. He also liked to go when and where he wanted to. Now he had to make sure this silly little ball of fluff got on the ship. She'd be lucky not only to get on the ship without being seen, but what did she think she was going to eat? Did she even know it was going to take almost two years to get there? At least that's what he had heard some of his rat friends say. They were thinking about getting on one of the ships to go to the New World as well, but when they heard it was going to be such a long trip they decided to think about it awhile. They wondered if the sailors would eventually run out of food. They couldn't imagine a life without people scraps to eat, especially Italia had the best food ever. Who knew what those sailors would be eating. Plus he heard them say that the rats were the last ones to jump off the ship if it started to sink. 

Lola knew something wasn't right. "Oh no! There is water getting in this boat. I just knew we had hit something. There it is; a hole! We are going to sink! I wish Marco was here. He would have saved me from this horrible mouse and his sinking boat. What am I going to do now? No little mouse is going to save me. "Help! Help! I'm not sure if I can swim. Please help me!"

Louie's end of the boat had not taken on any water so he couldn't imagine what in the world his passenger was barking about. She was shaking like a leaf and had jumped up on some of the nuts he had gathered. They made good trade with the squirrels. They loved them.. He crawled over to where she was looking. "Well, this isn't good. Must have hit a rock back there. Hmm, well I'll have to row the boat to the shore. I guess easy traveling is over with for now. We are going to have to walk until we can hitch a ride with someone. Preferably someone with food. Oh cheese cake, I believe I might have to swim to shore. This thing is sinking fast. I don't know if I can swim!"

                                                &&&&&&&&&&&&&

Gus had the day off. A day off all to himself only happened once in a great while. He was a support dog whose master needed and wanted him by his side most all of the time. He liked the boy, but laying here on the river bank was just like Heaven. Oh this sunshine is so nice and warm. The water makes little noises as it runs by. I just might take a dip after I take a snooze. Just then his whole day off went  sideways. "The neighbor dogs would have to ruin my day. If ever there was a yapper that's a yapper and that big old Lab? Nobody could out bark him. I swear if a leaf blows he has to bark at it. Wonder what they are up to. Guess it wouldn't hurt me to be friendly...