COME HOME. LOVE, DAD: A Far Away Country
By Shelly Reuben
Next in the series from Come Home. Love, Dad, published by Bernard Street Books, a memoir about my father, Samuel Reuben – a truly extraordinary man.
September 23rd, 1969
Dear Shelly ~
I have a little story for you.
Once upon a time there lived in a far away country near the seashore three young men. Each one of these men possessed an unusual gift which had strong powers. The first young man had a high-powered telescope thru’ which he could see over a great distance. The second young man had a magic flying rug which could carry him over hill and dale. The third young man had a wonderful apple with which he could cure any ailment.
One day the first young man was peering through his telescope when he came upon an unusual sight. There was a daughter of the King of Shushone who was mortally sick and her days were numbered. So this young man called together the youth with the flying rug and the third young man with the wonderful apple. They all boarded the flying rug and flew to the palace of the King of Shushone. The king had promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to whoever would cure her. When the three men arrived the third young man gave his curative apple to the princess and she became well again. At that point each of the three laid claim to the princess’s hand for marriage.
The king could not decide who most deserved his daughter’s hand; the telescope which brought the scene into view.
The rug which traversed the great distance.
Or the apple which cured the princess.
He called all of his advisors together and they pondered the matter for some time and they could not find a solution.
Eventually, the king arrived at the following conclusion: He gave the hand of his daughter to the young man with the apple ~ because the first young man still had his telescope ~ the second young man still had his flying rug. But the third young man had given up everything with the apple which was eaten up.
By the way ~ thanks for the short pajamas you sent Linda. We have forwarded them to her. I am enclosing a check for Mother’s part of the gift ~
Your dad and Mom!
October 28, 1969
Dear Shelly ~
It’s so long since I wrote to you. I hope this letter finds you well and happy ~ Today Mr. Solo our good next door neighbor left for N.Y.C. ~ He said he would call you there and convey our personal regards.
The following humorous anecdote should be quaint:
A teacher came to her first day in class, and asked each child to stand and give his or her name and hobby.
The first child rose and said, “My name is Sally Farnsworth ~ I am ten years old and I like to roller skate.”
The second student rose ~ “My name is James Burns, I am nine years old and I collect stamps.”
The third student rose and said, “My name is Morris Wexter, I am 10 years old, and I pledge five dollars.”
Are you still working somewhat regularly at Filmfair? Michael is very busy with his photography and his school work ~ Chucky has started to take violin lessons ~ He gets them for free from his music teacher.
Mother and myself and the boys went to Urbana, Illinois last Saturday to see Linda. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon there.
We would like to see you here for Chucky’s Bar Mitzvah on December 27, 1969. But more of that later.
Your Dad & Mom
Michael & Chucky
Copyright © 2010, Shelly Reuben. Reprinted from Come Home. Love, Dad, originally published by Bernard Street Books. ISBN: 0-9662868-1-2. Available from barnesandnoble.com; Amazon.com, or your local bookstore. Shelly Reuben is an Edgar-nominated author, private detective, and fire investigator. For more about her books, visit www.shellyreuben.com. Link to David M. Kinchen's reviews of her novels "The Skirt Man" and "Tabula Rasa": http://www.huntingtonnews.net/columns/060605-kinchen-review.html