Ghosts Were Hovering All Around The Railroad Car

Nobody now had a name! Her new name was going to be Whitlee! It meant a clearing of a beautiful field. The field they saw was beautiful and green and had a pond with water that was so clear that she could see her face in it. She had never seen her face before. Tippy stood and watched her new friend as she played with her hair and smiled into the water mirror. Then she frowned and walked a little bit away from Tippy.

"Come on, Whittlee, let's go for a little walk. Let's go to the place where the railroad car is. The place is beautiful also, but I want you to tell me all about why it makes you so sad. It really does help when you are sad about something to tell someone about it. It's called sharing sadness. When you share sadness it's not quite so sad. Tell me about this railroad car. Why did they call it an orphan train.?"

"I was one of the last children to ride on that train. It was a long time ago. I was supposed to be adopted by a family, but when I got here nobody wanted me. They said I was too young, too little, too this and too that. I didn't know what to do because I didn't speak English very well. I wasn't born in this big country of yours. I rode on a big ship with my parents for a long time to get to America. 

When we got to America my parents couldn't find work. We had nowhere to live so we slept on the sidewalks. Storekeepers got mad at us and shooed us away. It seemed like we were always hungry and so very tired. One day a nice man came from a church and talked to my parents. He said that he could find them work if they didn't have any children. They said no. They said they loved me and would not send me away. He told them that there were lots of people in the middle of the country that wanted to adopt children. I would have a bed to sleep in and lots of food and clean clothes. So finally my parents agreed to let me go. I miss them so very much. I am all alone now and still have nothing to eat and no home."

"I rode on this car for days. Some days some of the children got off the car and people would pay money for them. It was like they were sold like an apple or a cow. They called it and auction They cried too. Some of the big boys ran away and some of the little ones died. It was terrible."

"See how the railroad car is across this creek? The train had a wreck and this is all that is left; this and the terrible memories. I want to go now. Can you find someone that will love me and take care of me?"

Tippy put her arm around Whitlee and said, "I am so very sorry for what has happened to you. This place makes me sad. Oh my, It is very cold here. The wind is howling and the horses are running away. There are ghosts all around us. They are hovering all around the railroad car.  Whitlee! What is happening to you? What are you carrying? Is that a book? I can't feel your arm. Whitlee! Come back! 

"Fairy Godmother, help me! Something really bad is happening! Help!"

All Tippy could hear was a faint voice saying, "Tippy, tell my story. Please tell my story. Never let this happen again!"

The Fairy Godmother Listens To The Story

 Tippy's fairy godmother smiled as she watched what was happening at the old Orphan Train railroad car. "What a sad situation for thousands of children that didn't have any parents. Many of them didn't speak English and didn't know where they were being taken. Sad, sad, but leave it to little Tippy to come to the rescue of one of the very last little girls. Poor thing doesn't even know her name. Her parents and the rest of her family are gone. Right at this moment Tippy and a dream of a new and bright future are the only two things she has going for her. By the looks of things the new and bright future isn't even something she can imagine. "Okay, Tippy, do what you do best; make a friend and get her to smile. A girl's best friend is a new outfit and a furry friend. That little starving puppy sure looks like he could use a friend too. I think those bunny rabbits will be fine. There are flowers and grass and of course, Mr. Skeeter, the squirrel is the neighborhood watchman. He will look out for everyone. Let's go, Tippy. Tell her all about your years at the school and the mistakes you made. Some of those stories just might make her smile."

The fairy godmother smiled as she listened from the front of the school. "Sometimes being invisible is a good thing. We tend to make mistakes when we are being watched. That's right, Tippy, you are doing a great job. She motioned for a little fairy practicing her lessons and told her to come and stand by her side and watch how a fairy in good standing helps others. The little apprentice watched and listened carefully because soon she would be practicing to get her wings if she passed all of her tests.

                                   &&&&

"Okay my new friend the first thing we have to do is get you some new clothes. Those are all raggedy and dirty. Since you are human you need shoes too. I'll get you some that are sturdy and will last a long time. She nodded her head to one side and waved her beautiful wings and suddenly the little girl had on clean and modern clothes and shoes on her feet. 
"Come with me and we will talk. There is a small farm close by and I think there will be a quiet place to talk and maybe see some farm animals."

"I bet you feel better now, don't you? That's what I thought. Well, I will begin my story then you can tell me a story about your life. First of all, I was not born being able to make wishes come true. Plus I couldn't help people, I could barely help myself. I looked a little bit like you, but I didn't have any wings. I had to earn them. That took a terribly long time. I spilled things, I broke things and I talked too much. At least that was what the headmistress always told me. She said I was way too social and that I should listen and not talk. If I didn't I would never get my wings and I would not be able to help people. If I did good deeds and was brave and save some folks from mean people, or from falling off a ladder and lots of other things, that someday I might even have a statue in my honor. It would go in gardens. People would plant butterfly bushes and other flowers  around it. Lady bugs and other helpful garden insects would like to come to those gardens where my statue would be. I would be remembered for my good deeds forever and ever."

Tippy's fairy godmother frowned a bit and whispered, "Slow down Tippy. You are making yourself sound awfully important. You and your new friend need to pick out a name for her. Did you forget your mission?"

Tippy felt bad and said, "Now the next step is to pick out a name for you. Do you know any names that you would like to choose from? I think it should be something different and that when people hear your name they immediately think about you."

Tippy got off the swing and said, "Why don't we take a walk. Maybe we can see something that you like and you can choose that for your name."

The two held hands and felt an immediate feeling that sometimes sisters have. Then they saw it. A clearing of trees, but the grass was so green it almost hurt your eyes. There was a pond that sunshine sparkled on and made the girls blink with it's brightness.

Nobody looked up at Tippy and said, "What is this place? I want my name to be what this place is called."

Tippy was so very glad that she had studied her history lessons. This place has many names, but one is Whitlee. It means clearing; like of a field with no trees maybe. Whitlee is a pretty name. Do you want that for a name? Nobody smiled and said, "Yes, I've not heard that name before. Someday will you help me learn to read and write? Then I will be able to write my pretty new name down. Tippy assured her that she would and said, "You can even go to school and learn many other things."

As they walked back to the old railroad car to check on the animals, Tippy said, "After we have something to eat, you need to tell me a story about how you happened to get here with no family and no name. Okay?"

There Was A Creek And An Old Train Car

 "Well, I can't just go with you. Where are you going? Who sent you here? Why are you helping me? I can't just go without these animals. There are two bunny rabbits, a squirrel and a puppy. That puppy is almost starved to death. You can see his ribs. I can't help him, how can you? You are the smallest little thing I have ever seen. You have wing- like things on your back like a butterfly I saw one once in a book. There are no flowers or water for you here. You must go so you don't shrivel up and die like everything is here. Take the animals if you wish to, but I am too big and too tired and hungry. I cannot walk any longer, but I do want to thank you. No one has ever done or said anything nice for or to me that I can remember."

Tippy frowned and said, "You are not to worry. I can take all of you with me. I have a big white horse that is waiting for us. He will take you to where there is water and shelter."

Nobody said, "I cannot ride a horse. I am too little and too tired to get on a horse. But thank you again. I must lay down now. It is my time I am afraid, but I will feel better knowing that you are helping my animal friends." As Nobody settled herself in the dry grass she heard a tiny whistle and suddenly there was the dull thud of large hoofs and the swirling of dust that choked her. The puppy snuggled up to her and whispered, "I don't think I can breathe. Help me."

The large white horse slowly came to a stop and gently as only a large horse could; laid himself down next to the little girl and puppy.

Tippy said, "Okay, now you and the puppy crawl up on Dreamer's back And hang on tight."

Tippy made sure that the bunnies and the squirrel were also safely on Dreamer's back and said, "Okay, Dreamer, your destination is the creek. These animals and the little girl are so very thirsty. From there we will complete our destination."

Even though Nobody and the animals were scared, the trip to the creek on Dreamer's back was a smooth one. It seemed like in little less than a minute they could see Tippy standing by the creek. Her wings were shining and she had a beautiful smile on her face. Dreamer stopped and laid down once again so that the animals and the little girl could safely and easily get off from his back.

The animals got down quickly and started to drink the crystal clear water, but the small little girl did not. She hid her face in Dreamer's mane and started to cry. Tippy understood the reason that she was crying and shaking with fear.. The little girl with no name at one time did have a name and once years ago was a passenger on this train car. 

The car was faded from the weather and time, but you could still make out the letters that spelled Orphan Train. The train that moved from the eastern part of the country to the middle and far west with hundreds of thousands of children; some with no names.

Tippy flew up to the top of Dreamer's back and said, "You have to tell your story, little one. Once you tell your story you will feel so much better. Hopefully by telling your story other children like you will not have to go through what you did."

The little girl continued to weep and shake with fear. "You just don't understand. You have never been called trash. You have always been beautiful and do nice things for people and animals. If you haven't lived my life you just can't know how awful it is."

Tippy hovered over her new charge and said with a smile, "Just how do you think I got my name? It sure wasn't by following the rules my teachers set for me. I'll tell you what. I'll tell you my story if you tell me yours. Then we will both feel better."

The small little girl gave Tippy a tiny smile and nodded her head.

The Little Girl With No Name

 "Well, it probably is a little sad. But you know how stories go. We just never know how they turn out. Sometimes they have good endings; sometimes they are happy and sometimes they are sad and sometimes they make you cry" Whitlee told her Grandma B.

Whitlee patted her Grandma B and said, "Now, you just rest and I will tell you all about this poor little girl that didn't have a name. When I'm done let's tell Grandma Lu and she can make me a book." Grandma B sighed and said, "Okay" and closed her eyes.

                                                                     &&&&

Skeeter was watching from the top of his favorite tree. He so hoped for some rain. The land was dry and so were the trees. There weren't very many anymore. The leaves were gone, the grass was gone and soon he would be too. He would have to move on to find food and water. He chattered quietly to himself as he watched the little girl wander aimlessly from place to place. She lived in nothing but a shack made of bits and pieces of wood and rocks that she had found when she first got here. "I wonder where she came from, he thought. It was a poor choice, that's for sure. Maybe she didn't have a choice, but don't we all have a choice?"

As he headed down the tree something caught his attention. "What was that? Was that a dog? Oh, I haven't seen a dog in a really long time. He doesn't look so good. I think this is not good at all. He needs food and water just like the little girl and I do. I wonder where he came from. I'm going to be just as quiet as I possibly can and see what's going on."

The small puppy might have been thin and hungry and very tired, but he knew the minute the squirrel came down the tree. He raised his paw in the air. He was so very tired and lonely. Maybe the squirrel could be his friend.

The little girl with no name saw the squirrel and the puppy look at each other. She wondered what was going to happen. She tried to hide in case they tried to fight and hurt each other. She had seen fights before and they scared her.

 She was getting too big for her small house so she just crouched down in the dead grass. When she looked closer she couldn't believe her eyes. There were two bunnies in a dead log which was not good. They had no food or water either. She didn't know what to do. Oh how she wished she had a friend; just someone to help her. She just needed someone to talk to. She hadn't talked for a very long time; she probably couldn't do it anymore. She probably would sound like a frog. With that thought she smiled. Oh how smiling hurt her lips. They were so dry and cracked. A tear started to roll down her cheek. It hurt her sore mouth. "Oh how I wish I had some water; not just for me, but for the bunnies, the puppy and the squirrel too."

The little girl felt and heard a whirring sound. She looked down at the dirt and grass and saw a tiny tiny little girl. She had seen pictures of bugs before in a very old book. It looked like a girl, but it had wings like a butterfly that she had seen in that book.

"Who are you? What are you? she asked. You shouldn't be here. There is no food or water. "

"My name is Tippy. I was sent here to be your friend. By the looks of things you need one. Now let's get out of here."

Grandma B To The Rescue!

 The mayor and his wife jumped up and said, "Where is the lost and found closet? We have to get out of here. I don't want to get blown away."

Grandma B yelled, "Follow me! You aren't going to get blown away. We are going through this door right here and go down to the basement. We will be safe down there."

As she ran to the closet she noticed Grandma Lu's easy chair and the afghan she always wore around
 her shoulders. She grabbed it and opened the door. "Go through that door. There are three or four steps then you will be safe. She got the mayor's wife through then the mayor. The noise was frightening. As she started to go through the doorway She felt herself flying through space. She clung onto the afghan and thought, "Well, this is it. It's been a good ride." She grinned at the silliness and then all was quiet. Too quiet.

"Well, I wonder if this is what Heaven is like. The sun is shining and the flowers are beautiful. The trees are so very tall and the leaves are the greenest I have ever seen. I can breathe in smells I have never smelled before. And the birds! They are so beautiful and sing songs that I have never heard before. Where am I?"

"You are okay, Grandma B. Just hang on tight to Grandma Lu's blanket. It's magic you know. Right now you are in Whitlee's story. It is a special one with special pictures."

"But what about Grandma Lu and the mayor and his wife and the deputies down in the basement in Marleewood? There was a tornado. Is everyone safe? My shoulder hurts and I'm really not feeling so well."

"Marlee patted her grandma's shoulder and said, "Why don't you just take a little nap and let this beautiful quilt keep you warm and let the story begin. Whitlee is getting anxious to get started." Come on; let go of that tree and lay down in this beautiful green forest. Grandma B slowly let go of the tree and walked towards Grandma Lu's quilt. "Hmm, I didn't know that quilt was magic. But I do need to rest for just a little while. I need to get back to Marleewood and see what the damage is. I hope everyone is alright."

"So, alright. I'm laying down for a rest. Marlee. \What's this story all about?" Marlee grinned and said, "Wrap yourself with the quilt and Whitlee will begin her story. You'll see. This is just how Grandma Lu does it."

Whitlee sat down beside her grandma and said, "Well, once upon a time there was a princess. You know that princess. She was beautiful and she lived in a castle. She even had royal dogs that went to royal obedience school. Grandma B smiled a sleepy smile and said, "Let me guess. Her name was Whitlee."

Whitlee said, "No. This is a different story. This little girl didn't have a name. Folks called her Nobody. Nobody lived by herself in an old shack made out of wood that the trees didn't even want. It wasn't pretty like this is. There weren't any flowers or pretty birds. There wasn't even any grass, just rocks and dirt."

Grandma B yawned and said, "Why don't you tell me a happy story? This story sounds really sad."

It Sounded Like A Freight Train!

 The foursome were soaking wet and were glad to get to Marleewood. They had evidently left the basement door unlocked, because it was open when they got there. "Boy, am I glad someone invented a cellphone. I love the flashlight on my phone," said Grandma Lu.

"Yes, but be careful using it because this storm might last awhile and we need to conserve our batteries," said Grandma B.

"One of the deputies said, "Is there any furniture down here so that we can sit down? It would be good for Grandma Lu. You look like you are limping. Let me see if I can find you something to sit on or lay down on."

Grandma Lu thanked him and turned her flashlight slowly so the man could hopefully find some old folding chairs. Then they heard the sirens. "Oh no! Hear that? That means the tornado is just minutes away. See if you can find old pillows or something. At least that mayor did something right and upgraded our sirens last year."

"Listen! yelled Grandma B. What was that noise?" "What noise? All I can hear is the siren going off."

"No, I hear something coming from upstairs. I know I did," said Grandma B. "I'm going outside to see if someone is up there." Grandma Lu and both deputies told her not to go outside. "It's too dangerous out there. You stay here with us."

Grandma Lu may have been an elderly lady, but her hearing was perfect. She could hear something upstairs too. She told her friend to come stand by her. "B, there is something upstairs. I hear it too. Don't go outside. Use the lost and found closet door. Remember way over in the corner there are about four steps. I'm sure that door is open. Remember how Bon Bon and I got stuck down here in the tunnels? Go! Hurry and see what's going on up there, but be careful. You just never know nowadays. Go!"

A deputy yelled, "I found some old blankets and a couple of folding chairs. Here you go, Grandma Lu. Cover up and get warm. I don't want you to catch pneumonia. Sit for awhile and rest your hip. There you go."

Grandma B made her way over to the corner where she found cement stairs. "This must be it. Hopefully I can get through the door. I remember someone getting stuck in this thing. "Omph! Wow. That was a close call. It's dark as pitch in here. Hopefully I can get the closet door open. She pushed with her good shoulder and sure enough it opened into the Sitting Room. She heard voices. Someone was in the kitchen! Not just anyone. She knew that voice. It was the Mayor and his wife. The nerve of him! Oh do I have a few things to tell him!"

She shined her flashlight towards the voices and just as she expected. There sat the mayor eating cookies that she had made for Grandma Lu and Marlee.

Grandma B started to yell at him for selling Marleewood when she heard a sound similar to a freight train. "Come with me right now you two! We have to get to the basement. We have no time to lose. Now!"

A Tornado Coming And No Shelter At The Courthouse!

 "What do you mean under arrest? There's no way that we are under arrest!"

"Come along, ladies. Let's get you down to the county jail and then we can get this all sorted out. You know that you broke into a building that is owned by the city and had locks on the doors."

"This is all that low down slithering snake of a mayor's fault and you voted for him! Didn't you know he was a horrible person?"

"Grandma Lu..."Come on ladies. We need to get you finger printed and booked so I can watch Wheel of Fortune. That's my favorite program and I'm not going to let two little old ladies mess up my evening. Come on now. Hold this sign up then turn to the side. Okay, now it's your turn. Yes. That's right. Yes, you can have a phone call after my program. Yes you can wait. Now settle down. Okay! I'll get you some coffee. Good grief you two are a handful."

The deputy had turned on the desk size television in the office and yelled, "Hey, Fred! Look at this weather. Doesn't sound too good to me. Come here and watch for a minute."

"Alright. I'm just making sure this one elderly lady is alright. Says she hurt her hip falling down the stairs. Shouldn't been going down those stairs in the first place. Are ya alright? Okay then. Sit down. Your husband should be here to get you two out of here in a minute."

"Oh that doesn't look good at all. Doggone city won't pay for a safe room for the courthouse. I'm not likin' the looks of that storm one little bit."

Grandma B looked at her old friend. "You hear that? There's a tornado coming right for us and here we are stuck in jail. You should be...."Hey, you guys let us out of here. We need to go back to Marleewood. It's got a good strong foundation and a big basement. Please. Come with us if you want. Folks in this little town been using Marleewood for a storm shelter for years. Honest! We'll be good. Please let's hurry or we're gonna be in Kansas, Toto. I can hear thunder something fierce out there. Please!"

The two officers looked at each other, nodded and unlocked the cell with the two ladies in tow. "Come on. Let's get back out there. Looks like this idea of yours is a good one at least. I don't much cotton to the idea of gettin' stuck in that jail since it's just the two of you. I'll let the captain know what's up."

Sitting in the back seat of the police car yet again did not sit well with Grandma Lu, but she was much happier taking shelter in the basement of Marleewood than anywhere else. She had gotten her cell phone back and called her husband. "The officers are taking us back to Marleewood to take shelter from the storm. Get to our shelter and be safe. See you when this thing decides to quit."

Grandma B had also called Marlee and she had gone home to her mom and dad's and was safe with Whitlee in their shelter. "Well, old girl, it's just us and two police officers. Your adventures and stubbornness are going to make me  old before my time." Her answer was a loud snort from her old friend. She noticed that she was rubbing her hip. "I sure hope she is alright," she thought to herself.

Soon she and Grandma Lu followed by the two officers were dodging hail stones and sheets of rain getting to the safety of the majestic old building called Marleewood. She knew to her very bones that she would never let anything happen to this old building, not ever!