Early Lessons - A Short Story

Lucy had not wanted this, she would never hurt Buzz. She knew he was best friends with Grant, her bother. Bigger, older and ... just better than her. But she had pushed her knife into Buzz's neck. She had not meant for him to.... just fall over, but Buzz wouldn't move and .. and..; Lucy threw the sticky knife down and stood up. She was playing the hunter, just like her favorite cartoon Princess Diya but now all was forgotten and she did the only thing she could think of.. she ran.

Lucy rushed down the stairs and then into the kitchen, barrelling into her mother who was taking something out of the fridge.

"Easy Luce, I almost dropped the juice."

Lucy clutched at her skirt, not wanting to look up.

"OK. OK. What's the matter?"

"Mom."

Mother kept down the glass of juice on the counter, well away from the edge and sat down, pulling out one of the dining chairs.

"Mom."

"Yes, Lucy."

She burst into tears.

Mother hugged her and calmed her down.

"I hit Buzz... and he...I never.." Tears started again.

"OK let's go and see." Mother picked her up and walked up the stairs. Lucy closed her eyes and hugged her tightly.

"OK so Buzz is broken again."

Lucy was surprised and confused. What had mother said?

"I did not hurt him?" Lucy blurted.

"Buzz is a toy, Lucy. Something you..use. Like your bed and the TV. It is large and boy like, but you can't hurt things. You did break it."

"You will make it again."

"No. Grant, did it the first time and he had broken the neck first. I'll ask him to do it again. But Lucy.."

"But Grant, talks to him and .."

"Just play. He is playing Lucy."

"So I can play with Buzz again?"

Mother held her face in a hand gently and said. "Yes baby. Just one thing. When you hit things they may break."

Lucy nodded.

"When you hit people they hurt."

Again Lucy nodded.

"It is a good thing not wanting to hurt, Lucy." She smiled at the girl and ruffled her hair.

"Now how about we go down and have a cookie each."

"Yes." Lucy nodded, happy that the world was alright again.

PICTURE CREDIT: PEXELS.COM