The Dust Bowl: A Thimbleful of Hope by Michelle Jabès Corpora

Author:Michelle Jabès Corpora [Corpora, Michelle Jabès]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2021-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

The Heart of a Lion

Silvio and I did our best with Mr. Bennett’s equipment, and soon we got Thimble hitched up to the front of that black car pretty good. “We’re all set,” I said to Mr. Bennett. “Silvio and I will ride Thimble—all you got to do is put the car in neutral and steer.”

“Whatever you say, Miss . . .” Mr. Bennett looked at me expectantly.

“Virginia Huggins,” I replied. “But everyone calls me Ginny. And this here is my friend Silvio Hernandez.”

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Mr. Bennett said with a broad smile. “Lead the way, Miss Huggins.”

He and Charlie got into the car, and I climbed back into the saddle in front of Silvio. With the noontime sun beating down on us, it was hotter than blazes out there. Just breathing the scalding air made me cough, so I took a good long swig from my canteen before picking up the reins.

“You sure ’bout this?” Silvio asked me.

“Sure I’m sure,” I said. “We can’t jus’ leave those fellas out here to melt. Besides, Thimble’s up for it, aren’t ya, boy?”

I patted Thimble’s neck, and he stood tall, his silvery coat shining under the bright sun. “You know I am!” he seemed to say.

Squeezing Thimble’s sides with my heels, I clicked my tongue and spurred him forward. Thimble began to pull, the muscles in his neck and shoulders bunching up as he strained against the harness. With the car’s back tires parked in the dirt, the first pull onto to the road was going to be tough.

Thimble pulled and pulled, but the car wasn’t budging. I could see Mr. Bennett’s face creased with concern. In the passenger seat, Charlie was shaking his head, probably thinking, I told you so.

“C’mon, boy,” I whispered into Thimble’s ears. “You can do it, I know you can! Why, if you pull us all the way, I’ll get you a whole basket of apples. The juiciest ones I can find!”

Behind us, the car moved forward an inch, out of the dirt. “It’s working!” Silvio exclaimed.

“And a whole box of sugar cubes!” I continued excitedly.

Thimble lowered his head, straining against the harness with all his might. The car lurched another foot forward.

“And a bag of those little peppermint candies that you like!” I shouted.

With one last yank, the car popped onto the road and started to roll smoothly along behind us.

Yes!

I could feel Thimble’s body relax as the weight on him lifted, and he could trot along like normal. “You did it, boy!” I exclaimed. “That was amazing!”

Thimble whinnied and turned to look at me, his eyes sparkling. I’d never seen him so proud. Keeping a steady pace, we made our way slowly down the road.

Silvio laughed with delight, and I turned back to look at him, my heart blooming with pride. “Piece of cake,” I said with a wink.

About twenty minutes later, we pulled into the little white Texaco station. There were two red pumps out front, with a Coca-Cola sign up on the roof.

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