Backwater Publishing LLC

A LESSON FOR NIVO

 

by

 

Clem Mason

 

(age-6-10)

(wc-1155)

 

 

Nivo carefully folded the sheet of paper, pressing hard with his thumbnail to make the creases hold firm as he shaped the paper airplane. He knew it would fly like a bird when he eventually launch it over the canyon near his home on the Navajo reservation. Nivo wished he could fly like an eagle. He held up the airplane to admire it when he was finished.

“Nivo,” Miss Adams asked. “Are you doing your lesson?”

Of course, everybody laughed at him because they knew he was a dreamer with a short attention span.

Nivo slumped down behind his desk, wishing he could disappear out of the school room. He did long so to be outdoors.

“Nivo?” she asked again.

Leaning into the aisle, he frowned a mean face at the teacher in the front of the room. She in turn, frowned in return. Solemnly, he nodded and bent low over his desk, pretending to study. He listened to the clock mark each second and it seemed to be slowing down between each tick. Afternoons flatten out.

Finally, the bell rang and Nivo ran as fast as could to the edge of the canyon. He held up the paper airplane for one final inspection and then launched it over the vast emptiness that stretched out before him. He watched it soar straight and level, away from him; and then it climbed high up until it almost disappeared. Just a spot in the bright blue sky, he watched it sail out over the arroyo and descended down, down, eventually coming to earth short of the nearly dry stream. He jumped and shouted with joy at his success. It was a great flight.

When he turned to go home, Nivo saw his father, watching from the rocks far above him. His father wasn’t smiling. A surge of fear ran through him. He wanted to turn and run but he was already seen and to flee would only compound the punishment. He knew that. Slowly, he climbed up to face his punishment. At the rim, his father, Jackson Tatum, was waiting for him. To Nivos’ amazement, he didn’t look angry.

“Nivo,” he said calmly. “What is it that you have tossed into the canyon?”

“It…it was an airplane,” he said meekly. “Nothing more.”

Jackson faked surprise. “Really! It flew far. It must have been a good one.”

Nivo’s pride took over. “It was the best one I’ve ever made,” he said, smiling.

“Is that so!”

“Yes, father.”

“Tell me Nivo, if it was the best one you’ve ever made, then why did you throw it away?”

Nivo was stumped. “I didn’t really throw it away…”

“You don’t have it in your hand, do you?” Jackson asked.

“No. I didn’t know it was that good until I let it fly,” Nivo said.

“Well, if it was your best one, I sure would like for you to get it so I can hold it in my hand.”

Nivo’s pride would not allow him to imagine the magnitude of the task his father had set before him. He was all too glad he had not gotten into trouble. He was very pleased his father wanted to see his creation.

“Here,” he said, holding out his hand. “I will take your books and you go and bring your airplane to me right away.”

Nivo flung his books and went as fast as he dared, down to the lower rim. He stood on the edge, looking for the safest way down into the canyon. He had yet to comprehend the problem before him. He smiled then “If I could fly like an eagle, I could swoop down and bring that ole airplane back in a minute.” Only then did he begin to see the task in front of him.

Jackson returned home and sat his son’s books on the table. Mary looked with raised eyebrows. You got homework?” she asked her husband.

He smiled at her humor. “Do not make supper for Nivo. He will not be home tonight.”

“Why not,” she asked bluntly.

“Because I have sent him on a mission.”

“A mission?” she asked. “You two and your silly games,” she said, shaking her head.

“I hope he learns a lesson from this silly game,” Jackson said.

When Nivo reached the bottom, it was shrouded in darkness. A cool wind licked at his face. He knew he could not find the airplane in the dark. He then realized he would have to stay in the canyon all night long and he was very hungry. He set about, looking for shelter, gathering firewood as he went. He found an outcrop of rock where he would be protected from the wind. He built a small greasewood fire. It felt good but was little comfort against the cold. Now, it was totally dark and the coyotes were in full voice as Nivo tried to catch some sleep. He would sleep little this night.

In the morning, Nivo was so hungry, he felt sick. He set about fashioning a trap to snare some food; a wild hare maybe. He set it well away from his lair and waited for his prey. It was a long time waiting, but finally, a scrawny little jack rabbit ventured by. The fresh grass in the snare lured it in and Nivo sprung the trap shut.

He stood up, triumphant and went to get his breakfast. It was such a scared, skinny little rabbit that Nivo didn’t have the heart to kill. As hungry as he was, he set it free.

“Since I have spared your life, Mr. Jack, I commission you to go forth in great haste and retrieve my airplane,” he shouted at the fleeting hare.

It was near noon before Nivo found his paper airplane. He knew if he hurried, he would reach home about nightfall. And he was so hungry.

A sigh of relief escaped Jackson Tatum when his son stumbled in the door. They looked at each other and smiled, their eyes shinning.

“Here father. I have brought my airplane as you asked,” he said, holding it out to him,

Jackson took it and looked at it a moment and then handed it back. “You should throw this in the trash now,” Jackson said.

Nivo didn’t understand “You said you wanted to see it!” he said sadly.

Jackson looked into his sons eyes. “I did. I did want to see it, but not in my canyon.

A knowing look came to Nivo’s face. He nodded, understanding.

Mary looked sternly at her husband, shaking her head. “You’re pathetic.”

 

 

THE END

 

If you liked this story and you feel the poor, old author deserves compensation in his retirement for this creation, please feel free to send $1.00 to Clem Mason, c/o Backwater Publishing. 66021-0213.

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Questions and comments are welcome. Thank you for your fairness and honesty.

Thank you very much and may God bless you.