Sunday, October 30, 2011

Bow and Arrow Adventure

I was 13 years old. My neighbor and I had both acquired bows and arrows. We built a sod house on the edge of a 12-foot embankment. It was exactly like the sod houses that were built on the prairies back in early frontier days – exactly! Ours was not an actual house because it only had walls. We never did figure out how to build roofs. Soon after building this fine sod hideaway, we poked a look-out hole through the side of one wall.

One day, we decided it would be a really great idea for one of us to shoot arrows at the lookout hole, while the other looked through the hole.
It was a game filled with excitement and danger. The sod walls were about eight inches thick, so there was no real risk of the arrow blasting its way through the sod and impaling us. Also, we were not that great of shots, so the likelihood of the arrow actually entering the lookout hole seemed highly unlikely. At this point in time, no one had explained the law of averages to me. Well regardless, we reasoned that in the unlikely event that the arrow did fly into the hole, the person looking through the hole would simply move his head to the side, allowing the arrow to fly harmlessly by.
I wonder what age God actually turns the key to engage the brain of a teenage boy. Something to think about.
This game seemed logical, yet still thick with daring competition. Who could scare the other person the most? This question added a fine flavor of intrigue to the challenge. I was sure I would outdo my neighbor by sending him leaping sideways to the ground to protect himself from my arrows.
Sure enough, one of my arrows flew as true and pretty as a swallow catching a gnat out of mid-air. The arrow sailed straight toward the lookout hole, and my neighbor did the logical thing--he moved his head aside as my arrow flew harmlessly by inches away. What an adrenalin rush! This kept the arrows flying for some time.
There came a time in the shooting, I was looking through the hole. Suddenly, my neighbor let his arrow fly and as sure as a shot that could be made the arrow came straight for the hole. I saw it coming right for the hole and I swear that arrow hypnotized me. I did not and could not move. That arrow smacked me right in the middle of the forehead knocking me down.  

Our game ended as the sound of arrow hitting skull brought my neighbor dashing over to see the blood rolling down my face into my eyes. I was lucky that the light target arrow had not the momentum, speed, or weight to penetrate the bone.

It’s memories like this that give me a strong inclination to believe in natural selection, but the theory falls completely apart because here I am still writing.

14 comments:

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Oh my. All I can think of to say is, "Boys and their toys...and imaginations." You raise an interesting question about when the key turns. So glad the injury wasn't worse. Good post.

Sylvia K said...

Oh, does this remind me of when my kids were that -- excuse me, really dumb age that believes they are in complete control! Another great look back! Thanks for sharing. Hope all is going well for you and your family. With your book published, I would say things look great! Enjoy your week!!

Sylvia

Hilary said...

Stories like this reinforce how I don't want to know what my own boys have been up to through their teenage years. Frank has a great bow and arrow adventure which defies the law of averages, too. I'll have to nudge him to dig it up sometime.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"We never did figure out how to build roofs."

This reminds me of the snow forts I made when young. Could build the walls like nothing. Roof covering always an issue.

Enjoyed the visit here.

TexWisGirl said...

oh my word. boys...

congrats on your POTW!

Dianne said...

my Mom used to say - it's always fun and games until someone loses an eye
she was obcessed with us losing eyes
she would have loved/killed you!!

thank you so much for the comment about Hope's smile
sometimes you fill my heart with your sweet side
don't worry, I won't tell anyone

Hope sends hugs
and a smile

Cricket said...

Heh, heh. Well, as a "former boy," I knew where that one was going. "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" right? I have two of my own noiw and I know for true that the good Lord watches over us all.

Remember rock fights? I remember coming into the house, in need of some stitches and looking a bit the worse for wear. 'Uh Dad... we were having a rock fight and..."

(eyeroll)

Congratulations on your potw.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Is this not in your book? I have read it before. Love the story.

Sandra said...

A great memory. I have another take on it though. I know our play was, in general, more dangerous than the supervised play of kids today, but as they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." We learned alot from our (sometimes dangerous) mistakes and I think it prepared us better for life..

Grayquill said...

Linda: Thanks Linda…Well it all worked out.

Sylvia K: You gave me a smile. All is going well – I hope the same for you.

Hilary: Thanks for the POW! That was very nice. Your boys will start telling you their stories if they haven’t all ready. They will test the waters with a story they think Mom can handle.

Midlife: Thanks for stopping by. Yeah…we had a few snow forts but usually we were a little shy of snow.

TexWisGirl: Thank you and thanks for stopping by!

Dianna: That sweet side is all a front, so don’t be telling anyone.

Cricket: Thanks for stopping by! Rock fights? Were you crazy? Now dirt clod fights that was normal.

KleinsteMotte: I think it was chapter seven sorry for doubling down.

Sandra: Stronger? Hmmm….I guess there could be something to that.

Choco said...

I enjoyed reading this one again :)

But common Grayquill. We demand a new story. :D

Choco said...

Comment moderation #@*%#*.. I saw it too late.. Come on.. Not common.. these mistakes.. no? :|

Brig said...

Good One...if not for being raised in the company of boys...I would have missed out on all the fun stuff...yes, there are assorted scars.

Sumi Mathai said...

oh god too lucky u were. good lucky i mean :)