Dainty Little Grandma
Photo by Gera Cejas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/revolver-in-hand-of-woman-22601515/
Grandma had always been a timid woman. Grandpa often used to say that she was the kind of woman who could not say gah to a goose. Grandma and grandpa were a total contrast to each other. Grandpa was big and beefy and had been a great hunter in his time. Little Johnny was very fond of grandpa, and he was contemptuous of grandma.
He also admired his grandpa for his loud and boisterous ways. Every evening when little Johnny came back after playing with his friends, grandpa would lift him and swing him high up into the air. He would then bring him down with a swirl and put him down on the sofa.
Dainty little grandma could do none of these things. It was usually Grandpa who would read to little Johnny in bed. He would always choose tales of valour and courage. Sometimes, instead of reading from a book, Grandpa would tell Johnny stories about his own adventures when he was a young man.
Most of these stories were from the days when he used to be a big game hunter. Grandma would read to him on days when Grandpa was away. She would read him stories of kings and queens and their love. She would also read him fairy tales.
Little Johnny would patiently listen, or at least pretend to listen, so that old grandma’s feelings would not be hurt. Johnny was a well-brought-up boy and was respectful towards his elders. But deep down, there was a feeling of contempt in little Johnny’s mind for his old grandma.
That Friday the 13th, Grandma was reading little Johnny a fairy tale. Grandpa was away on a trip. He would occasionally go on these visits to far-off places to be alone. Now and then, he would disappear.
Slowly, grandma read, and little Johnny nodded his head. Finally, when he could bear it no more, Johnny pretended to fall asleep. Grandma got up from the bed, switched off the light, closed the door, and let herself out.
As soon as grandma had left, Johnny looked out of the window and could see the stars. But it was a no-moon day, and there was not much light in the room. Soon Johnny’s breath became regular, and he was fast asleep and dreaming.
It was then that a stealthy figure crept into the room through the window and moved towards the bed. The man picked up the little boy and held him in an iron grip. Johnny had just enough time to let out a yell for help just before the man’s fingers clamped down on his mouth. The man jumped through the window and began running. But someone was hot in pursuit.
The man was now on the road and running towards a parked car. At that moment, a voice rang out, piercing the night air.
‘Stop or I will shoot…’
Johnny could not believe his ears. It was dainty little grandma’s voice. The man ran quickly, but the noise of a shot rang out in the stillness of the night air. The man’s knees buckled, and he fell to the ground writhing in agony. Johnny too was on the ground, but he quickly got up and ran over to his grandma.
‘My baby, you are okay…’ Grandma asked with concern.
‘Oh, grandma, I am okay. I never knew you could shoot…’ Johnny gasped.
‘Just because I read you fairy tales does not mean I cannot handle a gun. And when someone tries to kidnap my grandson, I can turn into a lioness myself…’
Saying this, dainty old grandma pulled out her mobile and called the police…
