PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
“She may never speak,” intoned Dr. Francis.
John and Libby walked out of the specialist’s office with Merry toddling between them, silent, containing. When Merry was safely snuggled in dreamland with Tam, the teddy bear, they agreed that doctors’ egos made them monsters.
When John and Libby took Merry to her first story time at the library, Merry sat amongst the other children, watching their rapt, upturned faces. Her head swiveled to the librarian and the book and there her attention remained.
On the ride home, a small voice came from the back seat,
“Hop on Pop.”
[99 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the dependable host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Love this Li. The ending is so heartwarming.
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Thank you, Sadje 🙂
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You’re welcome
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It is so very nice that she enjoyed her day there
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Libraries: crucible of miracles.
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Merry ending for Merry and her parents!
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Indeed!
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And that is the power of writing and reading and listening. Lovely!
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Neil, many thanks. I couldn’t agree more.
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Great story. Yep, libraries matter and always will.
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Thanks, Trent! What worries me is how the digital editions of books, movie DVDs, and music available to borrow from the library now greatly outnumber the hard copies. We must never forget that libraries are so much more than just the content of them.
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I live across the street from a small town library. Some may see it as only free Internet (people park in front and never go, just sit on their laptops all day), but it is the center of the community for many.
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How blessed you are to live so close. You see it for the hub that it is.
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It is great to be this close, though I am embarrassed by how little I actually go in.
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Tsk tsk! Remedy in 2002 maybe? I visit mine at least weekly, sometimes more. It’s mostly just for drop-off and pick-up.
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I hate to admit that I am a slave to Amazon and just buy a book when I want to read something new. My house looks like a library 😉
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lol 2022 that is
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Yep, got it.
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Doctors do not know everything. One must not dismiss the power of books! Love this, Lisa
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Thanks, Dale. You’re so right on both counts.
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🙂
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Tender and real – what a wonderful moment with those three simple words. Beautiful.
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Jilly, thank you ❤
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The best kind of therapy.
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Yes! At any age also!
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Love it. My type of girl.
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🙂 I know you love libraries because of the banner you use on your blog.
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This could easily be a true story. Excellent all the way through. I loved it, too.
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Bill, thank you very much.
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Great story, Lisa!
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🙂 Thank you.
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Every school used to have its own library and now most of them are gone. Luckily the NYPL still keeps
All its children’s libraries well stocked with books, even if the adult shelves have been replaced by computers. (K)
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Not a good trend, this dependence on electronics which all run on electricity.
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So true.
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A lovely story, beautifully written Lisa.
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Thank you very much.
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That’s such a touching and heart-warming story, Lisa. Thank you!
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My pleasure, Penny. Glad you were warmed by the story.
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I have a bad feeling in 10 years the libraries will go the way of newspapers…but I pray not…
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😦 Remember in Star Trek where Captain Kirk had a book and said something about it was an antique from the past (paraphrasing)?
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Yes! It’s a sad thing. The only hope I have is the people like us that have passed it down…and maybe a revival like vinyl….I know I’m reaching.
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Doctors are not always right. Lovely ending. Good story.
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Thank you very much for reading and your comment, Vartika.
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It is true that children can find their on stimulation that helps with development, they just need the right prompts.
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Thank you for your affirmation on it, James. I’ve observed this is true also.
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Dear Lisa,
Every day I bless those teachers (and my mom) who taught me to read. The door that opens to magic. It seems it was so for Merry. Books opened not only her world but her mouth as well. Charming story.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re right about books being a “portal to magic.” I felt the magic from the first book (Dick and Jane) and it’s stayed with me. Thank you for your wonderful comment.
Shalom,
Lisa
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nice story
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Thank you.
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Sweet! They have found something to bring her out of herself.
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Yes! Thanks for reading and your comment.
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How glorious they must have felt to know they may have given Merry such a tool that could be a part of her life forever. The written word … and pictures too. haha
Have a wonderful weekend …
Isadora 😎
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Isadora, nice to see you 🙂 Yes on everything you say. Thanks, you also!
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Heart-warming! They really aren’t always right those doctors.
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Thanks much, MJL.
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As a speech-language pathologist, I am especially connected to this story. I felt angry for the doctor’s sentencing. I felt anticipation as she listened. I felt hope when she found a tiny bit of her voice. Children have their way. Sometimes their time. Often they need help finding it. But when we listen, we can help better. I’m glad she found something that spoke to her, and that she could use to ask for it. 🙂 Na’ama
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Na’ama, I appreciate your professional assessment on the story. I like this part especially: “Often they need help finding it. But when we listen, we can help better.” Isn’t that the crux of all human dialogue? Listening well is an art. Listening with purpose can effect great change.
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We learn dialogue from the reactions of others to our calls, our behaviors, our needs, our reactions, when we are very young. We learn to listen. We learn to respond. We learn to interact. We learn to shut down, too, to survive. And we learn when others don’t understand us, that it may not be worth the effort to try, or that communication doesn’t matter. We can – with help – learn more ways to be, and we can always, always, be listened to more. Here’s to the best profession on earth (from a very biased professional …) 🙂
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❤
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Just lovely. She was hooked in by the music of Dr Seuss’s language. As are we all.
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Indeed, Margaret ❤
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it looks like she has found her voice. 🙂
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🙂 Yes.
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A heart-warming story, beautifully written. I have so many good memories of time spent at the library as a child. What a blessing for Merry and her family!
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I am liking the stories and memories coming out of the prompt image. Thank you, Brenda.
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And once again the magic works… What a lovely story, Lisa. Many medical doctors are wonderful but some are just idiots. Like these.
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Thank you, Gah. Well-said about doctors. Not all are idiots.
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A very heart warming story!
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Thank you, Neel 🙂
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A week later, her parents pined for the silence of days gone by. (Insert rimshot)
There is indeed magic in stories.
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lol!
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Oh, you really nailed it this week! Wonderful, powerful story. I love it.
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Linda, that’s high praise. Thank you! ❤
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Yes! I know it isn’t at true story, but it feels like a true story. I’ve definitely been there with libraries. ❤
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Thanks, Anne ❤
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Oh this is gorgeous! What an ending. I’m smiling happily after reading this
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Groovadelic 🙂
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Heartwarming. Also it gave me a brief reminder how much libraries gave me as a child. Going there with my mom was a thing of its own. We had a huge library nearby, we oarted ways at the entrance, she went to hunt for her horror books, I went to the fantasy section.
I hope that if one day I will have children of my own, they will enjoy libraries as much as I did when growing up.
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I’m glad you were reminded of happy memories in the library with your loved one. I do hope you will pass on that legacy if the time comes.
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The importance of books and libraries once again exemplified – what a lovely story ❤
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Jenni, thank you!
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