IMAGINATION'S PLACE
FICTION

MEMORIES
By; Speaker Gerald A. Polley

THE HUNTING WAS SLOW AND THE ANCIENT ONE WAS weary, so he decided to take a break. Some familiar ground below caught his eye and he descended to a stone pillar with a bronze plate, "VALLEY FORGE HISTORICAL SITE," it read, then gave the details of what had occurred there many years ago.
"Boy! They've fixed THIS place up!" The Ancient One muttered. "Sure was a dump back then!"
A grove of trees caught his eye. He walked over and his memory took him back through the years. He saw a man kneeling, praying.
"Evening, General," he remarked. The man looked up.
"Ah, my Angel returns!" he sighed. "Have you any news for me, old friend? Our despair grows by the hour. Hope is almost gone. One of my own men tried to shoot me the other day. Had his weapon not failed I would be speaking with you in Heaven!"
"Gun powder doesn't work too well," The Ancient One answered, "when it's mostly black talcum. I took the liberty of filling their horns with it."
The General smiled. "Always my protector," he continued, "but I grieve so for my suffering men. Can you give me some hope?"
"I can give you a direction to go," The Ancient One answered, "and the knowledge that the weather will be good long enough for you to make the journey. Everything you need is across the river in Trenton, guarded by Hessian troops who don't really have that much desire to fight. Some of them aren't going to be feeling too good Christmas morning, as their Christmas cheer somehow got a bit contaminated. A quick strike could give you all that you need....boots, socks, provisions, powder, muskets- all there, ready for the taking."
The General shook his head. "Your advice has always been good," he answered, "though some of the battles you encouraged me to fight we lost, we've worn the enemy down. Very well! God and His great Wisdom has sent you to guide me. I will follow your guidance. Perhaps an excursion WILL lift morale."
The General rose. The Ancient One started to leave, then looked back.
"General," he cried, "when you cross the river stand up! It'll show your men you have confidence and make a great painting."
The General laughed. "As you say, old friend!" he answered. He headed off towards a row of rough cabins, calling to some officers. The Ancient One walked away and his thoughts returned to the present.
"Those were good times," he remarked to himself, "good men, not like the whimps we have today. I miss them, I really DO miss them!"
He spread his wings and soared homeward. "I really DO miss them!" he muttered one more time.

THE END

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