The Reports

By Tennessee

The school was having an open house, and all the kids had to write a report on someone they looked up to. Little Joe knew who he was going to write about - his ma.

The night of the open house all the children had to read their reports out loud to everyone. When it was Little Joe’s turn he said, "My report is about my ma, Marie Cartwright. She was a great ma. She always smiled, and she would read me stories all the time. My ma was kind to everyone and a friend to everyone. She would help anyone who was sick.

"My ma was a school teacher. She loved to teach kids. We had big plans as a family. We wanted a ranch of our own. When we first came to Eagle Station she was sad because she missed her sister. She told me she missed her sister but that we were he family and she loved us and she wanted to be where her family was.

"Her eyes were so kind, and her hair was long and black. My ma was Adam’s and Hoss’ stepmother. She loved them just like they were hers. My pa and ma loved each other very much. They loved us too.

"The day my ma died I was sad and mad at the same time and I had dreams about my ma a lot after her death. I go to my ma’s grave a lot and put flowers on her grave. For the first year after my ma died I spent a lot of time being sad. I missed my ma. But now I know my ma is always in my heart and mind. I think about her all the time. Marie Cartwright was the best ma and friend ever."

Ben had tears in his eyes as he listened to his son.

Joe continued, "Now we have the Ponderosa. It’s ma’s, pa said, and we are taking care of it for her."

Everyone clapped and Little Joe sat down. The next one to get up and read his report was Hoss.

Hoss said, "My report is about my pa, Ben Cartwright. He is a great man. He lost three wives. He’s had a lot of pain and sadness in his life. My ma died right after I was born so I did not know her. Pa always works hard but he has time for me and my brothers. Pa smiles a lot and he is teaching us to be good men. I watched Pa and my heart went out to him when Marie died. She was the only ma I ever knew. Pa was strong and he is always there for us. When Pa got the land and we built the Ponderosa Pa did not know how to run a ranch. But he learned. Pa is the kind of man I want to be. If you asked my brothers, they would tell you Pa is firm but fair. He always has time to help us and all his friends."

Hoss sat down and everyone clapped for him too.

On the way home Ben told the boys how great their reports were and how they touched his heart. He took both reports and put them in Marie’s old hope chest. He went to sleep thinking about his sons and how much he loved them.

The End