My brother brought his pocket knife and marbles. I clutched my little red chair and ran with the others.
We stood in horror as the flames mocked the ever-increasing strip of plowed ground. Grandma and Mama were praying. Suddenly I began crying, and Mama thought I was hysterical. She was trying to comfort me when I explained, “I forgot my new red ribbon.”
The efforts of my father and the prayers of Mama and Grandma saved our house, but even now I can feel the terror of the family as it faced near tragedy and I remember the sobs of a 5-year-old girl threatened with the loss of her most treasured possession, a new red hair ribbon.
Bobbie Kennard
Sulphur Springs, Arkansas