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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Community / Home
- Published: 03/25/2023
Farm Boy
Born 1997, F, from MO, United StatesPreface
Years ago, we used to be ruled and governed by a royal family until one day, the people decided they wanted to govern themselves, so they fought against the royal family. Many people died during the twenty-year-long war and land was destroyed, but the people got the choice they wanted, and they all went their own ways, creating a government on which they all could agree and that was to have a democracy. For years, they lived in peace until one day, the peace would be disrupted by a group of people from an unknown land and they would have to fight for the freedom they had created…
Chapter 1
Ah, the warm summer during the morning with the beautiful, light fog making the farmland of Dallas Herman a breathtaking sight. Out in the field was his only worker and his name was Nekinor, but he was called Kin. Kin was a tall, sturdily built young man who worked away in the fields from dawn to sunset and actually was quite a handsome man. He had dark brown eyes that always seemed to smile, and his dark brown hair looked soft but was cropped short in the latest style. He had always been gentle and kind, but right now, he thought he was alone. He took the long stick that he used to poke holes in the ground for seeds and stuck it into the ground then put his hands on the tip of it and rested his chin on his hands while looking at the land thinking of how beautiful it was today. He didn’t know he wasn’t alone, but then a voice commented, “Beautiful morning, isn't it?” Kin jumped and whipped around, dropping his stick, only to see Dallas’ eldest daughter, Melina.
She looked amused as she asked, “Did I scare you?” He knew he couldn’t lie so he admitted, “Yes, but that was only because I didn’t hear you coming.” Kin picked up his stick as she said, “Sorry about that, but I was wondering what you were doing just standing there.” “I was just observing the lands,” he told her, “They are rather pretty this morning.” “To you maybe, but since I’ve grown up here they look as they’ve always looked,” Melina said, “Anyway, is that all you were doing?” “I was observing and thinking,” he told her then he smiled and said, “Unless that’s a crime then I’d be arrested by now.” Melina playfully shoved him laughing and replied, “I hope it’s not a law because I’d be arrested as well, but then again… I’m not as observing as much as you are.” Kin chuckled then said, “I had better get back to work or this field won’t get the seeds it needs.” She gave a nod and then started to walk away as he continued to work on the fields, but then she turned around and thought, “He looks very handsome today, but I doubt he noticed that I tried to look prettier today.” When she was farther away, he glanced over his shoulder at her and smiled thinking, “She looked more beautiful today than usual, but I like her no matter how she looks. She probably doesn’t know that I do like her and probably never will know, which I can live with.” Kin went back to work and worked until sunset when another one of Dallas’ daughters came out to get him.
He followed her inside after he wiped the dirt off his hands on his pants and ate with Dallas and his family. While they were eating, Dallas’ middle daughter (he had three) said, “Melina was going red again when we were teasing her about you, Kin.” Kin looked at her, surprised, while Melina glared at her younger sister and snapped, “I was not.” “Yes, you were,” said her youngest sister, “You were bright red.” Then her second youngest sister turned to Kin and asked, “Do you think she’s pretty?” “O-of c-course,” he stammered, blushing, “She’s r-really p-pretty.” He knew his face was turning red because he could feel it getting hot and since he knew he was blushing, he turned more red. The two girls laughed, and the middle girl said, nudging her elder sister, “I think he likes you, but we both know you like him, too.” Melina blushed in embarrassment and their father, Dallas, said sternly, “Mandy, stop teasing them.” The middle girl lowered her gaze and said, “Yes, papa.” The dinner continued in peace then they all went to bed.
Chapter 2
The next day, Kin went out to work in the fields again, but when noon came, the mailman came riding to the house on his horse. He got off his horse and knocked on the door. Dallas’s daughter Mandy opened the door then said with a smile, “Hi Mark! What are you doing here?” The mailman looked grim as he said, “I have a letter for Kin.” Dallas came to the door and asked, “What’s going on?” Mandy turned to him and said, “Mark has a letter for Kin.” “He’s out in the field,” Dallas told him then he said, “Mandy, go get him.” She quickly left and then returned eventually with Kin behind her. Kin looked confused at why he was brought up to the house until Dallas said, “Kin, we need to have a talk. Mandy, take your sisters out to gather berries for about an hour. Kin and I need to talk man to man.” “It doesn’t take that long to gather berries,” Mandy protested, “What’s going on?” “I’ll explain later,” Dallas told her, “Do as I say and take your sisters to gather berries.” Mandy did as he said and, soon, an hour had passed by, so they headed back home.
The three sisters walked up to the door and knocked then entered when they heard their father say, “Come on in, girls.” They looked at their father and were surprised to see him so distressed. Kin had his face in his hands and his elbows were resting on his knees. “What’s going on?” Melina asked. “Melina, Mandy and Megan,” Dallas said, and they turned to him, “I know you really want to know, and you need to know what’s been going on.” He sighed then said, “Our country has been under attack for several years and both Kin and I knew this. We never thought this day would come and we hoped it wouldn’t, but Kin has been called to serve in the military.”
Melina let out a strangled cry and her sisters looked at her. “But this is just a little war, isn’t it?” Megan asked as she looked at her father, “It’ll be over before we know it?” Dallas sadly said, “I wish it were like that, but… it’s not like that at all.” “When do you leave, Kin?” Mandy asked him. Kin looked at her and said, “I am supposed to be in the village tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll be leaving here early in the morning.” A tear from Melina’s eyes fell down her face and Kin saw it fall then they looked each other in the eyes. That evening, dinner was very quiet and then they all went to bed. The next morning came whether any of them wanted it to or not and it was a tearful goodbye for all of them then Kin set off to go to the village. The family knew they may never see him again and they were all fearful of that. The weeks turned into months then the months turned into years.
Chapter 3
When ten years had passed by, the war was over, and Dallas and his daughters were waiting eagerly to see Kin come up the road. Melina and her sisters waited for hours in front of the house for Kin and they made a game to see who could see him first. When it started to get dark, Mandy and Megan went inside, but Melina stayed outside, waiting for him. After dinner, Dallas convinced his two younger daughters to go to bed and sleep, but he couldn’t convince Melina to go to bed. “You will see him tomorrow,” her father told her. “I want to see him as soon as he walks through that door,” she said stubbornly. “Melina,” he sighed, “Go to bed. He will probably want to go to bed as well once he eats something if he is hungry.” She stubbornly turned around and sat down on their couch saying, “I’ll be waiting right here when he gets here, and I will not be moved.” “Alright,” Dallas said, giving in, “If you want to wait up to see him then fine.” Melina smiled and was glad she was getting her way, but after two hours of waiting, she fell asleep with her head on her arm. After a few minutes had passed by, there was a knock on the door and Dallas opened it to see Kin. He let him in and said, “I know you’re tired, Kin, so your bed is ready for you. The girls washed the blankets, and everything then made it for you.” Kin smiled then he looked around and said, “I guess they are all asleep.” “Yeah,” Dallas replied, “Melina is on the couch and the other girls are in their beds. I’m going to head to bed. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
Kin gave a nod then Dallas went to his room. Kin walked over to the couch where Melina was sleeping, smiled down at her and kissed her head then went to bed. When it was morning, Megan and Mandy woke up then went to see if breakfast was done and found their father almost done making it. “Morning, girls,” he said without turning around, “Can you wake up your sister, please?” They giggled and then went to their sister’s room only to find that she wasn’t there. They walked around the house trying to find her when they discovered that she was still asleep on the couch then they snuck up to her and then yelled, “AH!” Melina sat up quite fast gasping in fright then turned to see her younger sisters laughing and glared at them. “What do you two think you are doing?” she demanded, “Waking me up this early when I was up late last night?” “Wait, you were up late?” Mandy asked and her elder sister nodded, “Did you see Kin?”
Melina shook her head and said, “He must’ve come while I was asleep, or he didn’t come last night at all.” “Well, papa told us to come to wake you up. I’m guessing breakfast is almost ready. Come on.” The three of them went to the kitchen and then Melina asked, “Father, did Kin come last night?” Dallas turned and then said with a smile, “Yes, he did. He’s asleep right now and will not be disturbed because he probably needs the sleep.” Just then, the door to Kin’s room opened and he stepped out. The girls turned around and the two younger girls squealed in delight, “Kin!” He smiled and said, “Hi.” They ran over to him and threw their arms around him, squeezing him tightly while he chuckled and hugged them back. They let him go then he walked over to Melina and said, “Hello.” Her lips turned into a big smile and she threw her arms around his neck saying, “Welcome back Kin!” He hugged her then they released each other, and Mandy said, “We're so glad you are back Kin. We've missed you so much.” Kin smiled and said, “I'm glad to be back. It’s been too long since I've been here.” Dallas smiled and then asked, “Well, are we going to stand here and talk or are we going to get some breakfast?”
The two youngest girls giggled, and they soon ate, but when the younger girls questioned Kin about the battles he fought, he was about to try to change the subject when Melina quickly said, “The fields look so pretty this morning, don’t you agree Kin?” He looked at her with relief and replied, “Yes, they are. They’ve changed somewhat since the last time I was here, but I still remember them.” Whenever her younger sisters tried to question Kin about the war, Melina would cut in and change the subject or her father would. Later when Melina was sitting on the couch looking out the window that overlooked the fields, Kin walked over to her and sat beside her. For a few moments, they sat in silence until he broke it by saying, “Thank you. For what you did earlier.” Melina turned to him and said, “You’re welcome. I figured you wouldn’t want to talk about the war so I did what I could stop the subject from coming up.” “And for that, I am grateful,” he told her, “so thank you. I really appreciate it.” She took his hand and he looked at her as she said, “I am always willing to help you, Kin, whenever and wherever you need it.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze then she gave his hand a gentle squeeze right back he chuckled then he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her lips.
He pulled away slightly and said, “And I’ve been waiting so long to give you that. I’ve always thought of the times I could’ve done it years ago when I was away at war and now I have the chance to give it to you.” She chuckled with her smile growing bigger then she playfully complained, “But I wasn’t done yet.” He laughed quietly then leaned forward and they kissed passionately until they heard someone say, “Well, it’s about time that happened.” They broke apart quickly feeling startled then they turned and saw Melina’s younger sisters watching them grinning. Melina and Kin both started chuckling then they all started laughing. Kin and Melina did spend a lot of time together and he saved the money he had earned at war and then continued saving until he was able to buy Melina an engagement ring. He went on a long walk with her then proposed and they were soon married. Kin and Melina still lived with her father so Kin could help in the fields and Melina could help with her sisters. They built their house when Melina gave birth to twins, both boys, and they all lived a very good life until the end of their days. So they were still living in peace for a long time. The End.
Farm Boy(Odette Rivers)
Preface
Years ago, we used to be ruled and governed by a royal family until one day, the people decided they wanted to govern themselves, so they fought against the royal family. Many people died during the twenty-year-long war and land was destroyed, but the people got the choice they wanted, and they all went their own ways, creating a government on which they all could agree and that was to have a democracy. For years, they lived in peace until one day, the peace would be disrupted by a group of people from an unknown land and they would have to fight for the freedom they had created…
Chapter 1
Ah, the warm summer during the morning with the beautiful, light fog making the farmland of Dallas Herman a breathtaking sight. Out in the field was his only worker and his name was Nekinor, but he was called Kin. Kin was a tall, sturdily built young man who worked away in the fields from dawn to sunset and actually was quite a handsome man. He had dark brown eyes that always seemed to smile, and his dark brown hair looked soft but was cropped short in the latest style. He had always been gentle and kind, but right now, he thought he was alone. He took the long stick that he used to poke holes in the ground for seeds and stuck it into the ground then put his hands on the tip of it and rested his chin on his hands while looking at the land thinking of how beautiful it was today. He didn’t know he wasn’t alone, but then a voice commented, “Beautiful morning, isn't it?” Kin jumped and whipped around, dropping his stick, only to see Dallas’ eldest daughter, Melina.
She looked amused as she asked, “Did I scare you?” He knew he couldn’t lie so he admitted, “Yes, but that was only because I didn’t hear you coming.” Kin picked up his stick as she said, “Sorry about that, but I was wondering what you were doing just standing there.” “I was just observing the lands,” he told her, “They are rather pretty this morning.” “To you maybe, but since I’ve grown up here they look as they’ve always looked,” Melina said, “Anyway, is that all you were doing?” “I was observing and thinking,” he told her then he smiled and said, “Unless that’s a crime then I’d be arrested by now.” Melina playfully shoved him laughing and replied, “I hope it’s not a law because I’d be arrested as well, but then again… I’m not as observing as much as you are.” Kin chuckled then said, “I had better get back to work or this field won’t get the seeds it needs.” She gave a nod and then started to walk away as he continued to work on the fields, but then she turned around and thought, “He looks very handsome today, but I doubt he noticed that I tried to look prettier today.” When she was farther away, he glanced over his shoulder at her and smiled thinking, “She looked more beautiful today than usual, but I like her no matter how she looks. She probably doesn’t know that I do like her and probably never will know, which I can live with.” Kin went back to work and worked until sunset when another one of Dallas’ daughters came out to get him.
He followed her inside after he wiped the dirt off his hands on his pants and ate with Dallas and his family. While they were eating, Dallas’ middle daughter (he had three) said, “Melina was going red again when we were teasing her about you, Kin.” Kin looked at her, surprised, while Melina glared at her younger sister and snapped, “I was not.” “Yes, you were,” said her youngest sister, “You were bright red.” Then her second youngest sister turned to Kin and asked, “Do you think she’s pretty?” “O-of c-course,” he stammered, blushing, “She’s r-really p-pretty.” He knew his face was turning red because he could feel it getting hot and since he knew he was blushing, he turned more red. The two girls laughed, and the middle girl said, nudging her elder sister, “I think he likes you, but we both know you like him, too.” Melina blushed in embarrassment and their father, Dallas, said sternly, “Mandy, stop teasing them.” The middle girl lowered her gaze and said, “Yes, papa.” The dinner continued in peace then they all went to bed.
Chapter 2
The next day, Kin went out to work in the fields again, but when noon came, the mailman came riding to the house on his horse. He got off his horse and knocked on the door. Dallas’s daughter Mandy opened the door then said with a smile, “Hi Mark! What are you doing here?” The mailman looked grim as he said, “I have a letter for Kin.” Dallas came to the door and asked, “What’s going on?” Mandy turned to him and said, “Mark has a letter for Kin.” “He’s out in the field,” Dallas told him then he said, “Mandy, go get him.” She quickly left and then returned eventually with Kin behind her. Kin looked confused at why he was brought up to the house until Dallas said, “Kin, we need to have a talk. Mandy, take your sisters out to gather berries for about an hour. Kin and I need to talk man to man.” “It doesn’t take that long to gather berries,” Mandy protested, “What’s going on?” “I’ll explain later,” Dallas told her, “Do as I say and take your sisters to gather berries.” Mandy did as he said and, soon, an hour had passed by, so they headed back home.
The three sisters walked up to the door and knocked then entered when they heard their father say, “Come on in, girls.” They looked at their father and were surprised to see him so distressed. Kin had his face in his hands and his elbows were resting on his knees. “What’s going on?” Melina asked. “Melina, Mandy and Megan,” Dallas said, and they turned to him, “I know you really want to know, and you need to know what’s been going on.” He sighed then said, “Our country has been under attack for several years and both Kin and I knew this. We never thought this day would come and we hoped it wouldn’t, but Kin has been called to serve in the military.”
Melina let out a strangled cry and her sisters looked at her. “But this is just a little war, isn’t it?” Megan asked as she looked at her father, “It’ll be over before we know it?” Dallas sadly said, “I wish it were like that, but… it’s not like that at all.” “When do you leave, Kin?” Mandy asked him. Kin looked at her and said, “I am supposed to be in the village tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll be leaving here early in the morning.” A tear from Melina’s eyes fell down her face and Kin saw it fall then they looked each other in the eyes. That evening, dinner was very quiet and then they all went to bed. The next morning came whether any of them wanted it to or not and it was a tearful goodbye for all of them then Kin set off to go to the village. The family knew they may never see him again and they were all fearful of that. The weeks turned into months then the months turned into years.
Chapter 3
When ten years had passed by, the war was over, and Dallas and his daughters were waiting eagerly to see Kin come up the road. Melina and her sisters waited for hours in front of the house for Kin and they made a game to see who could see him first. When it started to get dark, Mandy and Megan went inside, but Melina stayed outside, waiting for him. After dinner, Dallas convinced his two younger daughters to go to bed and sleep, but he couldn’t convince Melina to go to bed. “You will see him tomorrow,” her father told her. “I want to see him as soon as he walks through that door,” she said stubbornly. “Melina,” he sighed, “Go to bed. He will probably want to go to bed as well once he eats something if he is hungry.” She stubbornly turned around and sat down on their couch saying, “I’ll be waiting right here when he gets here, and I will not be moved.” “Alright,” Dallas said, giving in, “If you want to wait up to see him then fine.” Melina smiled and was glad she was getting her way, but after two hours of waiting, she fell asleep with her head on her arm. After a few minutes had passed by, there was a knock on the door and Dallas opened it to see Kin. He let him in and said, “I know you’re tired, Kin, so your bed is ready for you. The girls washed the blankets, and everything then made it for you.” Kin smiled then he looked around and said, “I guess they are all asleep.” “Yeah,” Dallas replied, “Melina is on the couch and the other girls are in their beds. I’m going to head to bed. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
Kin gave a nod then Dallas went to his room. Kin walked over to the couch where Melina was sleeping, smiled down at her and kissed her head then went to bed. When it was morning, Megan and Mandy woke up then went to see if breakfast was done and found their father almost done making it. “Morning, girls,” he said without turning around, “Can you wake up your sister, please?” They giggled and then went to their sister’s room only to find that she wasn’t there. They walked around the house trying to find her when they discovered that she was still asleep on the couch then they snuck up to her and then yelled, “AH!” Melina sat up quite fast gasping in fright then turned to see her younger sisters laughing and glared at them. “What do you two think you are doing?” she demanded, “Waking me up this early when I was up late last night?” “Wait, you were up late?” Mandy asked and her elder sister nodded, “Did you see Kin?”
Melina shook her head and said, “He must’ve come while I was asleep, or he didn’t come last night at all.” “Well, papa told us to come to wake you up. I’m guessing breakfast is almost ready. Come on.” The three of them went to the kitchen and then Melina asked, “Father, did Kin come last night?” Dallas turned and then said with a smile, “Yes, he did. He’s asleep right now and will not be disturbed because he probably needs the sleep.” Just then, the door to Kin’s room opened and he stepped out. The girls turned around and the two younger girls squealed in delight, “Kin!” He smiled and said, “Hi.” They ran over to him and threw their arms around him, squeezing him tightly while he chuckled and hugged them back. They let him go then he walked over to Melina and said, “Hello.” Her lips turned into a big smile and she threw her arms around his neck saying, “Welcome back Kin!” He hugged her then they released each other, and Mandy said, “We're so glad you are back Kin. We've missed you so much.” Kin smiled and said, “I'm glad to be back. It’s been too long since I've been here.” Dallas smiled and then asked, “Well, are we going to stand here and talk or are we going to get some breakfast?”
The two youngest girls giggled, and they soon ate, but when the younger girls questioned Kin about the battles he fought, he was about to try to change the subject when Melina quickly said, “The fields look so pretty this morning, don’t you agree Kin?” He looked at her with relief and replied, “Yes, they are. They’ve changed somewhat since the last time I was here, but I still remember them.” Whenever her younger sisters tried to question Kin about the war, Melina would cut in and change the subject or her father would. Later when Melina was sitting on the couch looking out the window that overlooked the fields, Kin walked over to her and sat beside her. For a few moments, they sat in silence until he broke it by saying, “Thank you. For what you did earlier.” Melina turned to him and said, “You’re welcome. I figured you wouldn’t want to talk about the war so I did what I could stop the subject from coming up.” “And for that, I am grateful,” he told her, “so thank you. I really appreciate it.” She took his hand and he looked at her as she said, “I am always willing to help you, Kin, whenever and wherever you need it.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze then she gave his hand a gentle squeeze right back he chuckled then he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her lips.
He pulled away slightly and said, “And I’ve been waiting so long to give you that. I’ve always thought of the times I could’ve done it years ago when I was away at war and now I have the chance to give it to you.” She chuckled with her smile growing bigger then she playfully complained, “But I wasn’t done yet.” He laughed quietly then leaned forward and they kissed passionately until they heard someone say, “Well, it’s about time that happened.” They broke apart quickly feeling startled then they turned and saw Melina’s younger sisters watching them grinning. Melina and Kin both started chuckling then they all started laughing. Kin and Melina did spend a lot of time together and he saved the money he had earned at war and then continued saving until he was able to buy Melina an engagement ring. He went on a long walk with her then proposed and they were soon married. Kin and Melina still lived with her father so Kin could help in the fields and Melina could help with her sisters. They built their house when Melina gave birth to twins, both boys, and they all lived a very good life until the end of their days. So they were still living in peace for a long time. The End.
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Shirley Smothers
04/02/2023A beautiful story of love and commitment. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations on Short story star if the day.
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Lillian Kazmierczak
04/01/2023Odette, this was a wonderful story. I love that it had a happy ending, which doesn't always happen during a ten-year war. A very current piece for Europe. Congratulations on the short story star of the day!
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