By: Samuel Lin
Innumerable fluffy snowflakes swirled, whirled, and danced in the strong gusts of wind. A sea of bright white snow lay on the ground, and on bare leafless trees. The snow-tipped evergreen branches sagged under the weight of the snow. Two boys trudged along the path on the side of the road, with an evergreen forest on one side and neighborhood houses on the other. The taller and older brother, Jack, wrapped his coat around himself tightly and gritted his teeth as the bitter, biting wind blew into his face. The shorter, younger brother, Jim, trudged on behind, putting his foot in Jack’s footprints, using him as a shield against the wind.
Suddenly, Jack felt something hit the top of his head. Then the object hit the cushion of snow soundlessly.
“Ow!” Jack said, taking off his glove to rub the top his head.
Jim froze in his tracks, staring down intently at the object.
“Are you OK, boss?” Jim asked his older brother as he stooped down, and grabbed a single old blue Nike shoe, brushing the snow off of it.
“WHO THREW A SHOE AT ME? YOU’LL REGRET IT!” Jack yelled, getting as red as a cherry while angrily waving the old Nike shoe.
“Sorry ‘bout that” said a nine-year-old boy who was trying to balance on one leg.
“I was playing soccer in the snow and when I kicked the ball my shoe just came flying off. I didn’t know it would hit a kid,” Ben explained.
“I AM NOT A KID! MY NAME IS JACK AND I AM A BOSS! YOU ARE THE KID!” Jack screamed.
“My name is Ben. Anyway, can you just give me my shoe back? I’m tired of standing here,” Ben said in an exasperated tone.
“FINE, I’LL GIVE YOU THE SHOE, KID!” Jack yelled as he made his way across the plowed road.
“Don’t slip! The road is very icy, especially with the black ice,” Ben warned.
“I won’t slip, KID. I’m as nimble as a mouse and I have the balance of the squirrel! I never slip,” Jack boasted.
Just then, he lost footing on the black ice and, like in the cartoons, fell headfirst into the snow. Jim and Ben started to giggle uncontrollably. Soon, they were laughing like maniacs.
“HEY! YOU GUYS SHOULD STOP LAUGHING! I NEED HELP, YOU LAZY BUMS! I CAN’T GET UP OR WALK!” Jack yelled.
Jim and Ben, one on each side, lifted Jack up and started carrying the injured boss towards his house. After a minute, Jack apologized to Ben.
“I’m sorry for getting so riled up over such a small thing, Ben. I shouldn’t have yelled at you and called you lazy bums. Will you guys forgive me?” Jack said.
“Sure boss. I’ll forgive you once you give my shoe back,” Ben said.
“I forgive you, boss” Jim said.
Jack handed Ben his shoe. Jack knew he was no longer the boss. What type of boss was arrogant, and easy to anger? In fact, Jack was the kid, and Jim and Ben were the bosses for forgiving, and for getting angry themselves.
“From now on, call me Jack,” he said. The boss had taken a loss.