Johnny

Johnny

---

Outline: A feel good story of a brave little boy

---

Everyone was excited! The civil war was over, and the president was coming to open a monument for the fallen. Every house in the president's path had had its fences freshly painted, holes in the roads had been filled, and bushes had been planted to hide ugly war marks. Life was returning to normal with many people who had fled the troubles coming back to tend their fields.

At the local school, the head master was preparing the children for their participation in the welcoming ceremonies.

“Children, our president’s visit is a great honour and we must prepare well. Brenda, you, as the senior girl, have been chosen to  present the flowers to the president’s lady."

"Yes sir, thank you sir." Brenda replied joyfully.

"Groups from each class will take up their  assigned positions, and when I give the signal, they will march past, dressed in our national uniform."

It was unlikely that Johnny would be among the selected children. Johnny's father had not been a strong supporter of the government, and he was among the people the mayor had selected to be sent to a camp for 're-education.' Mayors throughout the country had been requested to come up with numbers of suspect individuals, who were sympathizers of the defeated rebels. 

Johnny lived with his father and step mother below the railway lines in the poor quarter, where the houses were makeshift shacks.

When his father was taken away, he was left with his step mother.  At Christmas time, when the well-off ladies distributed presents to the poor children, Johnny was not included, because of his father. They didn’t have much  before, but now that his father had been taken away, they were destitute. Added to this, there was little love between him and his step-mother but in these times they had to survive as best they could.

"I didn't marry your father to look after you as well. I have my own baby to feed. You can go to your aunt and ask for food," his step mother would say.

He found it  difficult to sleep on an empty stomach most nights, and he'd often come to school tired. In spite of his young age - he was only nine, he was working part time at the local gas station fetching and carrying for people but the money didn't amount to much.

The night before the President's visit, Johnny was thinking hard, praying to have  his father back. He thought and thought,  until he finally fell asleep.

Next day, he joined the crowd lining the road waiting for the president to pass. People were pushing against the barriers, kept in line by soldiers and  Johnny saw a village official who knew him. On seeing the little boy, the official called out to him.

“Hello Johnny, what are you dong here? Shouldn’t you be with the other school children?”

“I wasn’t selected,” Johnny replied.

“ Never mind, I’ll see what I can do to get you up front; you won’t see much from here."

Johnny's eyes lit up.  “Thank you, maybe I can speak to the president if they let me." The official knew that Johnny was a daring child and proceeded to clear a path, placing the boy up front, just behind the soldiers.

The band was now playing, and people were cheering and waving  as the  president's entourage made its way up the path, leading to the memorial building. Johnny, saw his chance and  dashed out from the crowd.  He took everyone by surprise and before he could be stopped, he  came close to the presidential couple. The guards tried to pull him back but it was too late, The President’s lady saw him.

“Let the boy come,“ she said.  The whole entourage stopped, and there was a lot of commotion among the officials and the crowd who surged forward to see what was happening.

Johnny had never seen such an elegant and beautifully dressed lady. She wore a blue coloured skirt-suit and had a huge ring on her finger that caught the sunlight and  scattered it in colourful rays. She looked so elegant! Johnny tried to say something but words did not come out. They were not necessary; the lady understood as she saw the little boy’s eyes fill with tears.

“What’s your name little man?” She asked him softly as she touched his cheek.

“Johnny ma’am” he replied hesitantly.

“Take your time Johnny, and tell me why you are here.” The president alongside his wife resplendent in his General's uniform could not remain impassive.  He  bent down and smiled at the little boy, helping Johnny relax.

“Please Sir, let my dad come home?” Johnny sobbed. The president  patted the boy on the head, while those around him clapped and the cameras flashed as the official and newspaper photographers took their pictures.

"Who is your father and where is he?" The president asked and then  turned to his Aide, "Take the boy's details, and look into it please."

Then the president made an impromptu speech for the benefit of the press, conscious of this great opportunity for reaching out to the whole nation, putting on a caring and gentle face for reconciliation. The boy's courage was praised as was the opportunity for peace.

Johnny was now the hero of the village - the boy who dared speak to the president had become a celebrity. The next day, his picture was in all the papers with articles describing his daring exploit.

”Tell us what you said to the President, Johnny.”  Every shopkeeper asked when he went to the town.

“What will you give me if I tell you what I said?" Was Johnny's reply.

He collected rice, sugar, beans, dried fish, tins of sardines biscuits and whatever the shopkeepers offered to hear first-hand what he'd  said to the president. They would not go without food anymore.

 A few days later came a large envelope from the Presidential Palace addressed to Johnny. He opened it, and jumped for joy as he read it.

“Your request has been considered and received our favorable review. Your father will be released within the next few days, as soon as arrangements can be made with the relevant authorities.”