The Kid and the Wolf

My 7-year old self tells what happened in 1964

My narration of this story:

During our Duck and Cover drill in Mrs. Howard’s class, Stanley didn’t want to get under his desk and said, “My Dad said this is stupid.”

Stanley laughed when he said that. I wasn’t sure if Stanley was right or wrong but I just gave him the evil eye. I knew he would let me beat him up. Just wait until recess. I could give him an Indian Burn.

Stanley also said my Mama looked different from all the other mothers. But Stanley didn’t know Daddy was a physicist. The Bomb was made by physicists. That bothered me a lot.

Daddy had books all over our house. Some were in Japanese but a lot of them were in English. Books with titles like: Quantum Mechanics and Relativity. The only book I liked was Aesop’s Fables. I liked the story of the Kid and the Wolf.

“Please, Mr. Wolf,” the Kid said trembling, “I know you are going to eat me. But first please pipe me a tune, for I want to dance and be merry as long as I can.”

The Wolf liked the idea of a little music before eating, so he struck up a merry tune and the Kid leaped and frisked gaily.

The Shepherd Dogs pricked up their ears. They recognized the song the Wolf sings before a feast, and in a moment they were racing back to the pasture.

The Wolf’s song ended suddenly, and as he ran, with the Dogs at his heels, he called himself a fool for turning piper to please a Kid, when he should have stuck to his butcher’s trade.

One day, Mama told me to put on my best dress and help her serve Daddy’s guests at our house. It was a Very Important Party.

Mama told me to take the snacks she made to Daddy’s guest of honor, Dr. Robert Oppenheimer. He makes the bombs! I was so scared, All the adults laughed when I couldn’t say, “Dr. Oppenheimer, would you like an hors d’oeuvre?”

On the fancy stereo system, Daddy played opera music. Whenever Daddy played opera music, I put my fingers in my ears. It was the Elf King again..

As soon as I could, I ran out of the room and hid behind the wall of the new addition. There was no one in there because the floor hadn’t been put in yet. Then I heard the door open and I saw Mama come into the new addition, with Robert Oppenheimer behind her! Why did they leave the party? Mama looked so small next to the tall physicist.

Oh no! What is he going to do to Mama? I wanted to stop Robert Oppenheimer, but I knew I couldn’t beat an adult.

Then I saw Robert Oppenheimer lean over and say something to Mama, Mama nodded but didn’t say anything. Then they both went back to the party. I stayed by myself in the addition. But I could still hear the scary Elf King music. I wished Stanley was with me to make me laugh.