Out of a life of loneliness and despair
the young boy encounters a relationship
that promises the fulfilment of his greatest wish.
Will he be able to overcome the obstacles in his way?

 

CHILD IN A CAGE

A synopsis

by Peter Schmedding

People walking past Martin's house feel uneasy. They have a sensation of being watched over by a pair of stalking eyes, although the child is not even looking their way. Of course, everyone in the neighbourhood knows that schoolmaster Martin's son has an empty mind.

And yet, is there something going on behind that sorry face while he stands at the window? With his lips barely moving, seemingly looking at a distant mirage that only he can see?

"Please God, is there a you? Nobody is listening to me. Will you - ? - will you listen? You do not answer. Do you not answer because you, only, listen? I want to fly, God. Please, I want to fly. I cannot fly inside this cage of red bricks. Will you open the door for me, God, so I can fly? Please God, if you are, some say there is a God, will you listen to me?"

His lament, this to the child so precious secret prayer is interrupted by dad's stern voice: "James, can you hear me! James, in - TWO - minutes it will be time for our mathematics lesson. Please present yourself in the study!"

Martin's face reminds one of a string of rainy days. "We are going to enjoy this lesson". He looks at his precision watch, waits for the second hand to arrive at the top and then: "Well now, let us begin. What is - three - times - six, James?

* * *

One day a new world opens up for Jamie. Wide-eyed he watches the happy relationship between a school mate, Dean and his adult friend, Robert. Jamie longs to have such a relationship too. Over the following weeks he invents situations that should draw Robert's attention to him. It becomes an obsession. He tries to find someone else who perhaps could take Robert's place. But his attempts are unsuccessful and only his private God knows the agony the situation has created for him. Although he has been able to smuggle himself right into Robert's home, he still has not found the courage to ask: "Would you be a friend to me, too?"

One day Jamie spots Robert's car near the school. He misses the bus deliberately and asks Robert for a lift. On the way home Robert notices that the child is obviously upset. He stops the car.

"You STOLE that sheet of music and then brought it back to me?"

"I wanted you to be a friend to me like you are to Dean."

"Dean has no dad..." Those pleading eyes stop the sentence in mid air.

"First we'll have to have a talk to your mum and dad."

Jamie now understands how God is acting. It is so wonderful. 'Mum and dad will be so happy when I tell them. Yes, I can spell. I know numbers 2 X 6 is 12, 3 X 6 is 16. Mum and dad will be so happy.'

He bursts inside: "I know now, dad, 3 X 6 is - is - " Two disapproving eyes meet his: "Stop that stupid babbling. It is not time for mathematics now." Horrified Jamie dashes to his mother. Her reaction shatters his last hope. How on earth could he dare to search for some sort of adult friend. "Aren't we good enough for you?" And, for good measure: "He is an evil, wicked man."

Jamie spends the following night in terror.

* * *

Robert feels uneasy. How could he fulfil the child's wish? Should he approach the parents? They may be unfriendly. Or even hostile. How should he put it? 'James and I would like to become friends, is that ok?' or 'Your son Jamie asked me to become his friend'? For advice, in his dream he talks to his 'dream child', his younger self as a boy.

The door bell rings and without introducing herself a woman sputters: "You seem to have taken it upon yourself to interfere in my son's life..."

Robert ignores the parent's rejections and insults. He forces the parents to a meeting. His reasoning apparently makes sense. Finally mother decides: "I know, let's ask Jamie. Does he really wish to have such a friend?"

"That's exactly what I thought", replies dad.

* * *

The terror night broke Jamie’s spirit. He is not the same boy anymore. To him, everybody is evil, wicked. His parents are. Robert is. Even God is. Jamie's last lament: 'Please God, make me dead', remains unanswered. In a violent outburst he scorns the friendship idea. His parents are now convinced: Only Robert's imagination has created the whole situation. They tell him to make no further attempt and throw him out.

* * *

People walking past Martin's house are happier now: The child doesn't stare out of the window anymore. Even the curtains remain closed.

Jamie's mother, also, is happier. Feeling less embarrassed she is almost friendly to her neighbours. Someone even invited her for a cup of tea.

Martin is angry. The boy has deteriorated. After working so hard with Jamie, that stranger has to intrude into their lives and upsets everything.

Jamie perceives the world as a hostile place. He has withdrawn into himself. Never again will he pray, never again reach out or seek a friend.

Robert waits for Dean in a park. Dean notices Robert's grief and tries to cheer him up.

During the epilogue some of the events flash past and so we also hear once more the advice of the dream child: "...Jamie is not going to be a friend to you. He is a messenger. A messenger for a thousand others."

* * *

Copyright © 2008 Peter H. Schmedding, Canberra, Australia

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Characters of the story: - Go to editor's main page