Wingless Boy

The Wingless Boy


John Wesley came home from school, and instead of saying hello to his mother as he normally did, he went straight to his room, flung himself on his bed, put his arm over his eyes, and cried bitter tears. His mother tried to discover what had happened today to
cause this outburst, but John wouldn't tell her. She was so worried, she called John's
father at the office.
"Tom, I'm worried about John. He came home from school in tears, yet again. That's
the third time this week!"
Tom, John's father, sighed.
"What happened this time?" he asked.
"I don't know. He won't tell me."
At his side of the telephone, Tom rolled his eyes, and taking the receiver from his ear, sighed again.
"Margaret, you know the problem. And you also know there's nothing I can do about it. I have to get back to work now. Try to find out what happened, and I'll be home as soon as I can." Tom hung up.
The problem, in a nutshell, was this: John and his family lived in a society where everybody shortly following birth, sprouted wings; John however never grew wings, and he had just passed his tenth birthday.
Margaret went back to John's room, where John was still crying. Margaret sat on the edge of her son's bed.
"John, honey, please tell me what happened. I want to help you."
"You can't help me, Mom. No one can." John told his mother.
However, he wanted to tell her what had happened, so after he started and stopped several times, he managed to tell her that while walking home from school, late because he had helped his homeroom teacher clean up after a party they had had, two big children from the high school, had called him a wingless freak.
"John, I'm sorry to hear that. Where was Mike?"
"He never showed up. At least I never saw him."
Two hours later, Tom came home, and went straight to John's room. By that time, John had finished crying, and had fallen into a fitful sleep. Margaret had left as soon as John had fallen asleep. Tom left his son's room, and went into the living room, where
Margaret was reading. She looked up as soon as Tom came in.
"I managed to get off early. Did you find out what happened?" Tom asked.
Margaret recounted what John had been through, on his way home. She finished by
saying that she was angry at Mike for not being there for his younger brother, when he had promised he would take John home.
Later that night, John couldn't sleep; he kept having nightmares of being called a wingless freak. He snuck out of bed, and sat down by the top of the stairs that Tom had installed when it became obvious that John wouldn't be getting wings soon. From this vantage point, John could hear everything that went on in the kitchen. Margaret expressed once again that she was worried about John. Before Tom could respond, Mike came in, and saw his parents in the kitchen.
"I hope you two weren't waiting up for me. I told you last night that I would be home late."
"We weren't waiting up. In fact, we were on our way to bed." Tom reassured his older son.
"What happened to you this afternoon?" Margaret asked Mike. Tom, who knew where this line of questioning was heading, tried to stop his wife, to no avail.
"What do you mean, Mom?" Mike's voice came from the kitchen.
"I thought you were supposed to pick up John from school." Margaret's voice sounded accusing.
"Is he all right?" Mike sounded worried.
Margaret told Mike that John was upstairs, sleeping. Mike was relieved, then proceeded
to tell his parents what had happened.
"I went to go pick him up, but he wasn't where he normally was, so I thought he decided
to go home on his own. I then went to visit Kathy." Kathy was Mike's fiancée.
Margaret explained why John wasn't at the meeting place; then asked why Mike hadn't
gone inside the school. Jack said that going inside hadn't occurred to him. He said that he had waited around for half an hour, then left. Mike asked if anything had happened to John on his way home.
Mike’s face turned red.
“I knew I should have waited for John! This is all my fault!” He sat down at the table and hid his face in his hands. Margaret agreed with him.
"You’re right. It is your fault. How could you not wait for him? Was seeing Kathy more important?" she asked, angrily.
John was also angry at his older brother. In his mind, what had taken place that afternoon, was all Mike's fault, even though a part of his mind knew how absurd that was; it certainly wasn't Mike's fault that John didn't have any wings.
The next morning, Mike woke up with a plan: He would ask John who had teased him the day before, and then Mike would give the boys a lesson they would never forget. After his parents went to work, Mike set the first part of his plan into motion. However, John couldn't remember what those boys looked like.
"I'm sorry, Mike. They came from behind, and then when I turned around, my eyes were filled with tears, and I could barely see."
"Don't worry about it. C'mon, I'll take you to school."
John loved it when his brother took him to school. It was the only way he could exp-erience the thrill of flying. As John's school came into view, he felt anxious and dis-appointed; disappointed because the ride was nearly over, and anxious because he
didn't know what would be in store for him that day. Mike promised to pick him up after school, then left.
John dreaded recess, especially the lunch recess, because it was the longest. He feared it because that was the only time the other children could pick on him. The teacher on guard duty never saw what John went through, and John didn't want to be a tattletale as well as a freak; he knew that no matter what his family or his few friends told him, he was a freak, and would remain so as long as he didn't have his wings.
John ran outside with his best friend almost as soon as the bell rang for recess on the day that Mike dropped him off. John's teacher was surprised since she knew that usually John was one of the last children to go out for recess. She knew what John was subjected to in the playground and whenever she was on guard duty, she tried to minimize the teasing as much as possible. However, there was only so much she could do.
"I'm having my birthday party next Friday, and it's a sleepover. Do you want to come?" Eric, John's best friend, asked as soon as they were outside.
Before John could respond, one of the children who usually picked on him asked Eric:
"Why do you want him to come? He's a freak!"
"He is not! He's my best friend!" Eric tried to stick up for his friend.
"If you're friends with him, you're a freak, too. Invite him if you want. Just don't expect anyone else to show up!"
"Don't worry about it, Eric. Thanks for inviting me, but I don't think I'll go. I hope you have a good time." John told his friend, practically in tears.
"John, I want you to come. Don't pay any attention to Robert. He just doesn't know how much fun you can really be."
Robert got a strange look on his face.
"You know something, Eric? You're right. I don't know how fun John can be. Invite him. I'll come to your party, and so will everybody else."
Eric became suspicious.
"What are you up to, Robert?"
"Why, what do you mean, Eric? I'm not up to anything. I promise." Robert sounded innocent.
Eric turned back to John.
"Will you come, John? Say you will. It'll be fun, I promise." Eric looked hopeful.
"All right. I'll have to ask my parents, though."
"Of course. Tell me tomorrow, all right?"
At the end of the day, John made sure to be at the meeting place, so Mike could find him easily. He didn't want a repeat of yesterday.
"How was school?" Mike asked, bracing himself for the usual answer. However, John surprised him.
"Great! Eric invited me to his sleepover birthday party!" The party was all John could
talk about on the way home.
John could barely wait until his parents got home. When they did, John ran down the stairs, and started talking quickly about Eric's party.
"Slow down, John. Let us get in the door, and sit down." John waited impatiently for his parents to be ready.
"Now, what's this about a party?" Tom asked.
John repeated what he said about Eric's sleepover party, and asked if he could go. His parents were wary; they knew Eric wouldn't taunt John, but they were worried about the other children.
"I suppose it will all right. Eric's parents will be there." Margaret reminded Tom.
"That's true. All right. You may go, John. However, you have to promise us that if the other children are mean, you'll tell Eric's parents." Tom was stern on that point.
"I promise, Dad. Thanks." John knew he wouldn't tell Eric's parents about the ridicule aimed at him that would be inevitable.
The next day, John told Eric that he could go to his party.
The following Friday after school, John and Eric walked to Eric's house, while the other guests flew there.
John could hear laughter ahead of him, and knew the mocking had already begun. Eric told his best friend not to worry; once they were at the house, the teasing would stop.
"I don't know, Eric. Why do you suppose Robert changed his mind about me so quickly?" John asked.
Eric grinned guiltily.
“I guess Robert realized he was wrong about you.” he said. Who was he kidding? He knew very well that the other children would only torment his friend again.
"Then, why doesn't he apologize to me? He really hurt my feelings."
"Maybe he's waiting until we get to my place to say he's sorry." Eric offered, feebly.
In front of Eric's house, John stopped, and looked at his friend.
"When all his friends are around? Yeah, right. He'll only make fun of me more. I really don't think I should go in there. Here's your gift. Happy birthday."
John turned to go.
"John, wait. I want you to come to my party. That's why I invited you. You're my best friend. If my other friends can't deal with that, that's their problem."
John turned around; he had tears in his eyes.
"I want to come too. I just don't know if I can handle being tormented again."
Eric came over to John, and put an arm around his shoulders.
"Don't worry, John. My parents are home. They won't let you get insulted. Trust me."
Eric finally convinced John to come to the party; however, John spent most of the time in the kitchen with Eric's parents. Rachel and Paul were glad to see John, nevertheless, they tried to persuade him to join the others in the living room. Finally, after much coaxing, John went into the living room, bracing himself for the teasing that was bound to start.
"Look who finally graced us with his presence. The freak." Robert told his friend, in a loud whisper, that John heard.
That comment started a barrage of insults that Eric suggested John ignore.
"They want you to get upset, John. Ignore them." Eric advised John.
"I'll try. But it'll be hard."
John struggled not to pay attention to Robert and his friends, but found after a while, he was tired from the effort. It was easier to succumb to the verbal abuse; John felt his eyes well up with tears, which only made Robert and his friends laugh harder.
"The freak's crying!" Robert shouted, forgetting to whisper. Everybody, except Eric and John, started laughing.
Robert's remark brought Eric's parents from the kitchen, but before Rachel or Paul could talk to Robert, since it was obvious he was the ringleader, John ran outside. Eric finally caught up to John.
"John, where are you going? Come back. I'm sure my parents are talking to Robert now, and I'm certain he won't make fun of you anymore. Besides, we still have to open my presents, and have my cake. My parents made chocolate, which I know is your favourite."
"Thanks, Eric. But I think it's better if I stay away. Once your parents go back in the kitchen, after the cake and presents, they would only start again, and this time it would be worse. I think I'll just go home. I'll call you later, so you can tell me if you liked my gift." This time, John could not be talked into going back to the party.
"All right. If you're sure."
"I am. Thanks, Eric. I knew you'd understand."
The next day, Eric called John.
"May I speak with John, please? It's Eric Tater."
"He's not here. I thought he was still at your party, Eric." Margaret said.
"My party finished an hour ago. Besides, he left last night. He said he was going home." Eric was starting to get concerned about John.
Margaret, on the other hand, was frantic. She threw a barrage of questions at Eric.
"What time did he leave? Where did he go? Why did you let him go?"
"Mrs. Wesley, I know you're worried, but try to calm down. John left my party about an hour or so after it started; I don't know where he went; I thought he was going home. This is the first time that he lied to me. Would you like me to come over? I could help you look for him. I feel partly responsible, since it was my party that he ran away from."
"Don't blame yourself, Eric. It wasn't your fault. The other children weren't very nice to him, right?"
"No, they weren't. I guess he finally had enough, and ran off. But, the question is: where is he?" Eric said.
"I don't know. Come over if you want." Margaret hung up, then told Tom and Mike what had happened to John.
"Why did we let him go to the party, Tom? If we hadn't, he'd still be with us." Margaret burst into tears.
"Margaret, don't do this. We'll find him." Tom comforted his wife.
"Of course we will, Mom." Mike chimed in.
Margaret's tears subsided. She picked up the phone.
"Police department."
"My son's lost. Can you locate him?" Margaret was becoming hysterical. Tom took the receiver from Margaret.
"I'd like to report a missing child. My son, John, seems to have run away from home."
"What's your address, sir?" the police officer asked.
Tom gave the address, and the police promised to be right over. Tom hung up.
"You have to give the police more information, Margaret."
"I'm sorry, Tom. I'm not thinking properly. Thank God I have you." Margaret threw herself in her husband's arms. She was still in his arms, when the police showed up.
Tom disentangled himself to talk to the officers.
"Do you have a recent picture of your son, sir?" one of the officers asked.
"Yes, I do. I'll get it." Tom turned to leave, but Mike stopped him.
"I'll get it, Dad." Mike left the room.
While they were waiting, the first officer asked:
"What makes you think he ran away?"
"You'll understand better when you see his picture."
Mike returned and gave the picture to the officers.
"I do understand, now. I take it he was harassed." the officer guessed, after looking at the picture.
"Yes. I presume yesterday was the last straw." Tom said, going on to explain what had happened.
Right then, Eric came. He saw the police officers, and was thankful that at least Margaret was thinking enough to call the police.
"Are you Eric Tater?" the officer asked.
"Yes, officer, I am."
"Could you tell me, in your own words, what took place yesterday?"
"Of course." Eric went on to tell the officer his own account of what had ensued.
On Monday, at school, Eric was angry at his friends.
"I hope you're happy now. Because of your making a laughing stalk of him, John's run away. The police are out looking for him as we speak."
Robert and his friends seemed afraid.
"I hope you didn't tell the police we were the ones making fun of him." Robert said.
"I can't believe you guys. You mean to tell me that you're more concerned about getting
in trouble than you are about John? You're supposed to be his friends!" Eric stalked
away.
Meanwhile, John was hiding out in the woods far from his house. He had walked a long way when he had left Eric the day of his party. He was scared, and wanted to go home, but he couldn't find his way back. He walked and walked, but only succeeded in getting even more lost. He finally became tired of walking, so he stopped where he was, and sat down and cried.
All of a sudden, he heard something that wasn't part of the natural sounds of the woods. He listened carefully, and he heard a voice asking him why he was crying. John looked everywhere, but he couldn't find the source of the voice. Finally, a creature came out of the woods. It looked like a horse, but right away John could spot the difference; this horse had wings. Seeing this made John cry even harder. The horse again asked why John was so upset. John managed to tell this horse why he was in tears. The horse, whose name was Pegasus, invited John to climb on his back. John shrugged, and decided that he had nothing to lose by going wherever Pegasus wanted to take him; he was already lost. He clambered on the horse's back.
"You're about to embark upon a great journey." Pegasus told John as he took off. John asked where they were going.
"You'll see." the horse responded, mysteriously.
Soon, they were over another land; Pegasus called it Sameland. John was curious as to why it was called that; before he could ask, he saw for himself the reason for the name: everybody was dressed the same. Pegasus told John that not only did everyone dress the same, they did the same thing day after day, without any variations.
"That sounds so tedious." John exclaimed.
"They see any differences as dull. They like this life."
"Has it always been like this? Everybody the same?" John asked.
"Every time I come, and mind you, I've been coming since I was old enough to fly on my own, which has been about 20 years, it's been the same. I can't stay for more than an hour."
"You must have a lot of patience. I don't think I could stay here for more than five minutes."
Ten minutes later, Pegasus and John were in the sky and heading back to the woods from where they had started.
"So you see, being different can be fun. You should feel good about that. Okay, so you don't have wings; it doesn't matter. And you shouldn't be bothered with anybody who
says otherwise."
"You're right, Pegasus. I won't let it bother me… at least I'll try not to."
Pegasus dropped John off in the woods and was about to fly off when John reminded him that he was lost. Pegasus asked John where he lived and when John told him, Pegasus said that he could take John home, so John climbed on Pegasus’s back once more and ten minutes later, John was home. His parents and Mike came out of the house and started hugging and kissing John, relieved that he was home.
Tom went inside and called the police. He told them that John had returned, so they could call off the search.
Meanwhile, Robert was thinking about what Eric had told him regarding the police, who as far as he knew, were still looking for John. He decided to be more friendly toward John, because he didn’t want his parents to find out what he had been up to. Robert was afraid that his parents would be angry if they knew he had bullied and teased John. He called his friends to do the same.
When John went back to school, he had a lot more friends and he was never again bothered by his lack of wings.