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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Teens
- Theme: Inspirational
- Subject: Fantasy / Dreams / Wishes
- Published: 09/15/2023
I Heard The Whippoorwill Cry
Born 1951, M, from Gore Bay, Canada.jpeg)
I Heard the Whippoorwill Cry
It was a cold, starry night, and I was sitting by the campfire with some of my hobo friends. We had been riding the rails for a long time, looking for work and a place to call home. But we never found either, so we kept moving on.
We were sharing stories and songs, trying to forget our troubles and keep our spirits up. Some of the stories were funny, some were sad, and some were just plain crazy. But they all had one thing in common: they were about the life of a hobo.
I listened to them all, but I didn’t say much, being a newbie youngster. Still I was about to pipe up when an old hobo cleared his throat.
And out of the blue he said, I’ve been feeling tired and restless of late, and I’ve had a strange feeling in my chest telling me it was near my time to go.
I had seen too many of my friends die on the road, from hunger, cold, sickness, or violence. I didn’t want to end up like them.”
I listened to the old hobo tell his tale. It was like he was talking to the night…
“I looked up at the sky and saw a bright star shining above me. I wondered if there was anything beyond this world, if there was a better place for us hobos. A place where we could be free and happy, where we could have all the things we dreamed of.
Then I heard a sound that made me shiver. It was the cry of a whippoorwill, a bird that sings at night. Some people say that when you hear a whippoorwill cry, it means that someone is going to die soon.
I turned to my friends and said, “Do you hear that? It’s a whippoorwill. It’s calling me.”
They looked at me with concern and curiosity and asked me what I meant.
I said, “Let me tell you a story. A story that a whippoorwill told me once.”
They leaned in closer and listened.
I said, "It was many years ago, when I was young and foolish. I had run away from home, looking for adventure and freedom. I had joined a gang of hobos who taught me how to hop trains and live on the road.
One night, we were camping in the woods near a railroad track. We had made a fire and were eating some beans and bread that we had got from a nearby farmer. We were having a good time, laughing and joking.
Then I heard a voice that sounded like music. It was coming from a tree above me. It was a whippoorwill.
It said, ‘Hello there, young hobo. What are you doing here?’
I looked up and saw its bright eyes shining in the dark.
‘Hello there, whippoorwill. I’m just passing through.’
‘Where are you going?’ the whippoorwill asked
I answered,‘ I don’t know. Wherever the wind takes me.’
‘Don’t you have a destination? A goal? A purpose?’ the bird said
‘No. I just want to be free.’
It asked, ‘Free from what hobo?’
‘From everything. From rules, laws, work, money, society.’
‘And what do you get in return?’ it asked
‘Nothing much. Just some fun and excitement.’ I replied
It asked, ‘Is that enough for you?’
‘Yes. It’s enough for me old bird.’
‘Are you sure?’ it challenged
I said, ‘Yes. I’m sure.’
It said, ‘Well then, let me tell you something. Something that might change your mind.’
And I asked, ‘What’s that?’
It said, ‘There is a place where hobos like you can find everything they ever wanted. A place where there is no hunger, no cold, no sickness, no violence. A place where there is plenty of food and drink, clothes and shoes, beds and blankets. A place where there is music and laughter, games and stories, friends and lovers. A place where there is peace and joy.’
“Sure, What is this place and where is it?’ I asked skeptically.
‘It’s called Big Rock Candy Mountain. It’s in the afterlife.’
‘The afterlife? You mean heaven?’ I replied.
‘No young hobo. Not heaven. Heaven is for people who follow the rules and do what they’re told. Big Rock Candy Mountain is for hobos who break the rules and do what they want.’
I asked the bird doubtfully, ‘How do you know about this place? Have you been there?’
It said, ‘No. But I’ve heard about it from other whippoorwills who have seen it with their own eyes.’
I argued, ‘How can they tell you about it if they’re in the afterlife?’
‘It’s because whippoorwills are special birds who can travel between worlds. We can see things that others can’t see.’
‘That sounds amazing. Can you tell me more about Big Rock Candy Mountain?’ I said
The bird replied, ‘Sure. I’ll tell you what I know. But you have to listen carefully and remember everything I say. Because one day, you might need it.’
I said, ‘OK. I’ll listen.’
It explained, 'Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where the sun always shines and the grass is always green. Where the rivers are made of lemonade and the lakes are made of wine. Where the trees are full of fruit and the rocks are full of candy. Where the animals are friendly and the birds are always singing.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where there are no trains or cars or planes or boats. Where there are no roads or bridges or fences or gates. Where there are no cops or judges or prisons or laws. Where there are no bosses or workers or taxes or bills.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where there are no clocks or calendars or schedules or deadlines. Where there are no schools or churches or books or rules. Where there are no worries or troubles or fears or regrets.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want, with whoever you want. Where you can eat and drink and sleep and play and sing and dance and laugh and love as much as you want.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where you can be yourself and be happy. Where you can be free.’
I said, ‘Wow. That sounds like paradise. How can I get there?’
‘There’s only one way to get there. You have to die.’ The whippoorwill answered.
‘Die,’ said I, ‘But I don’t want to die.’
It said, ‘Don’t be afraid. Death is not the end. It’s the beginning. It’s the door to Big Rock Candy Mountain.’
I said, ‘But how do I know if I’ll go there? What if I go somewhere else?’
‘Don’t worry.’ The bird said. ‘You’ll go there for sure. Because you’re a hobo. And hobos belong to Big Rock Candy Mountain.’
‘How do you know that?’ I asked
‘Because I’m a whipporwill. And whippoorwills know everything.’
‘But how can I trust you? What if you’re lying to me?’ I said back.
‘I’m not lying to you. I’m telling you the truth. You can trust me.’
‘Really. And how can I trust a bird?’
It said, ‘You can trust me because I’m your friend.’
‘You’re my friend?’
It said, ‘Yes. I’m your friend.’
‘Why are you my friend?’ I asked doubtfully.
‘Because I like you.’
‘Why do you like me?’
‘Because you’re a hobo.’
‘That’s it. That’s why you like me. Because I am a hobo.’
‘Yes’ um. That’s why I like you.’
I said, ‘But that’s not enough. That’s not a good reason to like someone.’
‘It is for me. It is for whippoorwills.’
‘But why? Why do whippoorwills like hobos?’
‘Because we have something in common.’
‘And what might that be?’
It said, ‘We have freedom.’
‘Freedom?’ I replied
And the bird replied, 'Yes. Freedom. We both love freedom more than anything else in the world. We both value freedom above all else in life, live by our own rules, follow our own paths, wander from place to place and see new things every day. We both sing our own songs, tell our own stories, enjoy the simple pleasures and appreciate the beauty of nature. We both face many dangers and overcome many challenges. We have many friends and make new ones along the way.
We have no home and yet feel at home everywhere and have nothing and yet have everything.
We both are free. And that’s why we’re friends.’
I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say.
Then the whipporwill continued.
'It’s getting late now. You should get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day.
But remember what I told you about Big Rock Candy Mountain.
And remember that I’m your friend.
And remember that one day, we’ll meet again.
Good night, young hobo.
Good night.’ I answered, then it flew away into the night.
I never saw it again.
But I never forgot the whippoorwill’s words. They stayed with me for the rest of my life.
They gave me hope and comfort in times of despair and sorrow, courage and strength in times of danger and hardship. The whippoorwill’s words gave me gratitude, happiness and led me to abundance. Meaning and purpose in times of doubt and confusion.
With his last whispering words I believe I heard the whippoorwill cry for happy as the old hobo then slipped away into the eternal sleep and hopefully that spirit bird guided his spirit to the hobo’s paradise.
I Heard The Whippoorwill Cry(Donald Harry Roberts)
I Heard the Whippoorwill Cry
It was a cold, starry night, and I was sitting by the campfire with some of my hobo friends. We had been riding the rails for a long time, looking for work and a place to call home. But we never found either, so we kept moving on.
We were sharing stories and songs, trying to forget our troubles and keep our spirits up. Some of the stories were funny, some were sad, and some were just plain crazy. But they all had one thing in common: they were about the life of a hobo.
I listened to them all, but I didn’t say much, being a newbie youngster. Still I was about to pipe up when an old hobo cleared his throat.
And out of the blue he said, I’ve been feeling tired and restless of late, and I’ve had a strange feeling in my chest telling me it was near my time to go.
I had seen too many of my friends die on the road, from hunger, cold, sickness, or violence. I didn’t want to end up like them.”
I listened to the old hobo tell his tale. It was like he was talking to the night…
“I looked up at the sky and saw a bright star shining above me. I wondered if there was anything beyond this world, if there was a better place for us hobos. A place where we could be free and happy, where we could have all the things we dreamed of.
Then I heard a sound that made me shiver. It was the cry of a whippoorwill, a bird that sings at night. Some people say that when you hear a whippoorwill cry, it means that someone is going to die soon.
I turned to my friends and said, “Do you hear that? It’s a whippoorwill. It’s calling me.”
They looked at me with concern and curiosity and asked me what I meant.
I said, “Let me tell you a story. A story that a whippoorwill told me once.”
They leaned in closer and listened.
I said, "It was many years ago, when I was young and foolish. I had run away from home, looking for adventure and freedom. I had joined a gang of hobos who taught me how to hop trains and live on the road.
One night, we were camping in the woods near a railroad track. We had made a fire and were eating some beans and bread that we had got from a nearby farmer. We were having a good time, laughing and joking.
Then I heard a voice that sounded like music. It was coming from a tree above me. It was a whippoorwill.
It said, ‘Hello there, young hobo. What are you doing here?’
I looked up and saw its bright eyes shining in the dark.
‘Hello there, whippoorwill. I’m just passing through.’
‘Where are you going?’ the whippoorwill asked
I answered,‘ I don’t know. Wherever the wind takes me.’
‘Don’t you have a destination? A goal? A purpose?’ the bird said
‘No. I just want to be free.’
It asked, ‘Free from what hobo?’
‘From everything. From rules, laws, work, money, society.’
‘And what do you get in return?’ it asked
‘Nothing much. Just some fun and excitement.’ I replied
It asked, ‘Is that enough for you?’
‘Yes. It’s enough for me old bird.’
‘Are you sure?’ it challenged
I said, ‘Yes. I’m sure.’
It said, ‘Well then, let me tell you something. Something that might change your mind.’
And I asked, ‘What’s that?’
It said, ‘There is a place where hobos like you can find everything they ever wanted. A place where there is no hunger, no cold, no sickness, no violence. A place where there is plenty of food and drink, clothes and shoes, beds and blankets. A place where there is music and laughter, games and stories, friends and lovers. A place where there is peace and joy.’
“Sure, What is this place and where is it?’ I asked skeptically.
‘It’s called Big Rock Candy Mountain. It’s in the afterlife.’
‘The afterlife? You mean heaven?’ I replied.
‘No young hobo. Not heaven. Heaven is for people who follow the rules and do what they’re told. Big Rock Candy Mountain is for hobos who break the rules and do what they want.’
I asked the bird doubtfully, ‘How do you know about this place? Have you been there?’
It said, ‘No. But I’ve heard about it from other whippoorwills who have seen it with their own eyes.’
I argued, ‘How can they tell you about it if they’re in the afterlife?’
‘It’s because whippoorwills are special birds who can travel between worlds. We can see things that others can’t see.’
‘That sounds amazing. Can you tell me more about Big Rock Candy Mountain?’ I said
The bird replied, ‘Sure. I’ll tell you what I know. But you have to listen carefully and remember everything I say. Because one day, you might need it.’
I said, ‘OK. I’ll listen.’
It explained, 'Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where the sun always shines and the grass is always green. Where the rivers are made of lemonade and the lakes are made of wine. Where the trees are full of fruit and the rocks are full of candy. Where the animals are friendly and the birds are always singing.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where there are no trains or cars or planes or boats. Where there are no roads or bridges or fences or gates. Where there are no cops or judges or prisons or laws. Where there are no bosses or workers or taxes or bills.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where there are no clocks or calendars or schedules or deadlines. Where there are no schools or churches or books or rules. Where there are no worries or troubles or fears or regrets.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want, with whoever you want. Where you can eat and drink and sleep and play and sing and dance and laugh and love as much as you want.
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a place where you can be yourself and be happy. Where you can be free.’
I said, ‘Wow. That sounds like paradise. How can I get there?’
‘There’s only one way to get there. You have to die.’ The whippoorwill answered.
‘Die,’ said I, ‘But I don’t want to die.’
It said, ‘Don’t be afraid. Death is not the end. It’s the beginning. It’s the door to Big Rock Candy Mountain.’
I said, ‘But how do I know if I’ll go there? What if I go somewhere else?’
‘Don’t worry.’ The bird said. ‘You’ll go there for sure. Because you’re a hobo. And hobos belong to Big Rock Candy Mountain.’
‘How do you know that?’ I asked
‘Because I’m a whipporwill. And whippoorwills know everything.’
‘But how can I trust you? What if you’re lying to me?’ I said back.
‘I’m not lying to you. I’m telling you the truth. You can trust me.’
‘Really. And how can I trust a bird?’
It said, ‘You can trust me because I’m your friend.’
‘You’re my friend?’
It said, ‘Yes. I’m your friend.’
‘Why are you my friend?’ I asked doubtfully.
‘Because I like you.’
‘Why do you like me?’
‘Because you’re a hobo.’
‘That’s it. That’s why you like me. Because I am a hobo.’
‘Yes’ um. That’s why I like you.’
I said, ‘But that’s not enough. That’s not a good reason to like someone.’
‘It is for me. It is for whippoorwills.’
‘But why? Why do whippoorwills like hobos?’
‘Because we have something in common.’
‘And what might that be?’
It said, ‘We have freedom.’
‘Freedom?’ I replied
And the bird replied, 'Yes. Freedom. We both love freedom more than anything else in the world. We both value freedom above all else in life, live by our own rules, follow our own paths, wander from place to place and see new things every day. We both sing our own songs, tell our own stories, enjoy the simple pleasures and appreciate the beauty of nature. We both face many dangers and overcome many challenges. We have many friends and make new ones along the way.
We have no home and yet feel at home everywhere and have nothing and yet have everything.
We both are free. And that’s why we’re friends.’
I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say.
Then the whipporwill continued.
'It’s getting late now. You should get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day.
But remember what I told you about Big Rock Candy Mountain.
And remember that I’m your friend.
And remember that one day, we’ll meet again.
Good night, young hobo.
Good night.’ I answered, then it flew away into the night.
I never saw it again.
But I never forgot the whippoorwill’s words. They stayed with me for the rest of my life.
They gave me hope and comfort in times of despair and sorrow, courage and strength in times of danger and hardship. The whippoorwill’s words gave me gratitude, happiness and led me to abundance. Meaning and purpose in times of doubt and confusion.
With his last whispering words I believe I heard the whippoorwill cry for happy as the old hobo then slipped away into the eternal sleep and hopefully that spirit bird guided his spirit to the hobo’s paradise.
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Mike
11/01/2023Your story is a beautifully crafted tale of hope, freedom, and camaraderie, as told through the conversation. great writing. Top notch.
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Donald Harry Roberts
11/01/2023Thank you mike...I am glad you liked this story because it is dear to my heart.. fiction....but only mostly...there is a grain of truth buried in it.
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Shirley Smothers
10/18/2023What a beautiful story. I felt like I was there with the story teller. You should try to get this story professional published.
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Donald Harry Roberts
10/18/2023Thank you Shirley it is going into the second eclectic collection I will be publishing in January..Always grateful for your responses and support.
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Susan
10/18/2023WOW, such a fantastic imagination. I could see in my mind the hobos sitting around the fire. It is great when stories do that. Make you feel like you are part of the story.
I have heard the Whipporwills sing several times. Beautiful song they sing
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Donald Harry Roberts
10/18/2023Thank you Susan. I am really glad you like the story. It is one of my personal favorites
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JD
10/17/2023Fun fantasy for a hobo, I'm sure. Awesome illustration to go with your story, Donald. Did you create it? Happy short story star of the day.
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Donald Harry Roberts
10/18/2023Thanks JD. Yes. I created the cover picture. I do all my own covers.
COMMENTS (4)