The Walking Stick

There was once a lovely ebony walking stick that belonged to an old lady, who came in need of it as she grew older, walking slower and less steady with a slight stoop to the shoulders. it carried her far and wide through many more years, and she grew fond of the stick, and he loved his owner, because she would carry him all over on her travels and would never go without him. He was her support in life, and she was his lifelong friend. The two of them grew old together, but one day when she had grown extremely old, she fell ill and took to bed. He was very worried, and wondered if she would ever recover. What would become of him if she was no longer around. That night the old lady fell asleep in a deep slumber, and never awoke in the morning. People came and removed her from her bed saying what a lovely funeral it would be. He was left standing alone in the corner of the room. Alone and forsaken. Quite a long time later the people returned, and removed all he belongings, including him, and sent them off to her family. They were his new owners, but the family had no need for him, so they put him a storage cuppard. Here he lay for many dark and dusty years alone and discarded amongst other odds and ends. Seemingly no-one had a use for him and he feared it would be that way forever. Until one day, when the owners decided it was time to clean house, and also the old storage cupboard. They removed him, along with some other items, and they were donated to a second hand sale for the church. He was displayed by the salesman on his table, the proud and polished ebony walking stick of old, amongst other items of trivia going cheap at the sale. An old lady was browsing among the stalls and spotted the old stick, asking the man the price. 'Ten dollars madam.' said the man. 'Splendid, I'll take it!' she replied and payed the man on the spot. He had found a new owner who had good use for his services in her old age, being slow and slighty stoop herself, at this advanced age of life. They walked through many a beautiful garden together and travelled far and wide. They became the best of companions and the old walking stick was not sad and lonely any longer. Everyone needs someone to lean on sometimes.