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.