The Lesson

THE LESSON We were caught by the neighbourhood tough guys: Him and me against six of the wrong kids to meet. In just the wrongest darkest part of the street Snowballs began to fly. They out-gunned us, and worse, They shoved ice chunks into each harmless white missile. Made it armoured and a lot less fissile Hit your head? Painful. In the eye? Serious damage. We ran but I could outrun him, and did so, saved my own skin Sheltered behind door, though instinct told me it was a sin He was alone to face the onslaught while I hid, coward. He never said or did anything to punish me, which made me feel bad. His forgiveness was the best sort I ever had I was eight years old then, my lesson was easy Felt so bad that I was never again a coward. Pity his way of giving the lesson was so hard. ……………………………………………………………………………………. For Audrey Carey’s contest “To err is human, to forgive divine”