JIGSAW PUZZLE

WRITERS’ CHAPTER STORY-OF-THE-MONTH  MAY 2018

JIGSAW PUZZLE 

By:  Joan Barnes

 I was doing a jig-saw puzzle the other day on my ipad.  It was a picture of a little girl and a little boy on a sled – a vintage look as if the picture had been painted in the 1930’s. While I was working on it, the two little children in the picture seemed to be talking to me. I made up a story as I went along and when it was finished I read it to my writer’s group. This is the story:

Jig Saw Puzzle.

“Oh, Billy. I think someone is going to put us together at last. Who do you think it could be?” “It’s an old lady, Jane. I hope she’s good at jig saws or we’ll be here forever, you behind me on the sled and me in front ready to go down the hill”.

“She’s putting the outline in first. That’s good, isn’t it? I’m sure she’s done a jig saw before. Can you see anything yet?” “How can I see anything? She has not got around to even starting on my face, let alone my eyes”.

“How long has it been since anyone put us together? “Oh, years. I’ve been ready to slide down this hill on our sled for so long. We got the sled for Christmas in 1934, don’t you remember?” “Yes, that was a wonderful Christmas. I could not wait to get outside and run over to the park where there was a good hill for sledding. We’ve only been able to go down the hill twice. I sure hope we can go down one more time before we get put back in the box.

“Well, she’s working on us. She did your striped knitted cap first”. “I know, my head feels warmer already”. “I think she’s going to start on my red sweater next.” “That will be good. You will feel warmer too. Oh she’s so slow. She can’t find the pieces for my hair. I’m not going down the hill with no hair.”” It’s OK. She did your hair, finished my red shirt and now she’s working on my pants.”

“I want to see. I only have half an eye. What do you see Billy?” “I see the snow and the hill below us. I wish she would start on the sled next. She’s so stupid. Did you see where she wanted to put that piece? It’s my mitten. My hands are so cold and she tried to put it near my head somewhere.”

“Oh, thank goodness, she got my mitten in the right place. My hands were frozen.  How are you doing, Jane?” “I still can’t see, Billy, but she did finish my hat and she has me behind you so hopefully we’ll be together when we go down the hill.

“She stopped. What does that mean, Billy? Are we going to have to sit here half finished for hours while she gets herself a cup of coffee and a piece of toast? How can she be so selfish. Doesn’t she realize we only get to see the world for a few minutes when someone puts us together”. “Now, Jane, don’t be so grumpy. Some kids never get done, just sit in the puzzle box for years yearning for a chance to be worked on. Be grateful someone is having fun with us. What does it matter how long it takes”. “Oh, Billy. How much time do you think we will have once she puts us together?” “Oh, it depends on how long she leaves us together. We’ll make the most of the time, don’t. Worry.”

“She is faster now at putting the pieces in and there are not many more pieces left. It will be such fun, you and I together sliding down the hill. We’ll go so fast. I know I’ll scream. Oh, I can’t wait.”

“She stopped again. What now? The phone rang. She’s talking on the phone. GET OFF THE PHONE AND FINISH THIS PUZZLE”. “Stop it Jane. She can’t hear you. We just have to be patient.”

“She’s working again on us. Just a few more pieces. Keep going, keep going. Ah, one more piece. She can’t find it. My gosh, she’s such a stupid, stupid woman. Where is it? She’s looking all around. Try the floor, dumbbell. She’s found it. Thank heavens for small mercies. We are finished and sliding down the hill at last -Yipee.”