Good morning. Welcome to Jo Ann’s Virtual Cafe 2024. Come on in and help yourself to a breakfast beverage. Let’s talk. Joe has a story about a storyteller. It is one of his favorites that is worth reading. It has Pastor Joseph in it. He’s one of your favorite characters. It may bring a tear to your eye.Old Uncle Andy was a kind man. Everyone around liked to hear his stories around the old pot belly stove in the local general store. Now, he could tell a story better than most. It is said that if people saw his old pickup at the store, they would stop just to hear him talk or play a game of checkers with him.
For two weeks Old Uncle Andy didn’t stop by the store at all. This got people worried. They asked Pastor Joseph to go out to Uncle Andy’s farm to check on him. Well, Pastor Joseph was worried too. It was not like Uncle Andy to not be at church service either. So, Pastor Joseph got in his old Model T Ford and headed out to Uncle Andy’s small farm. When Pastor Joseph got to Uncle Andy’s farm, he noticed that something was not right.
The farm seemed run down and not at all like it was a year ago. Pastor Joseph knocked on the door to the farmhouse. Soon, Uncle Andy opened the door. Pastor Joseph knew something was wrong right away.Uncle Andy invited Pastor Joseph in and made some coffee on his old cook stove. They both sat at the kitchen table. “I wondered when they would send someone to check on me. You see, I have been sick a while with cancer. The old doc said I had only a year to live. It has finally caught up with me. I can hardly get around these days. I guess I don’t have much time left. I sold all my farm animals and tools to pay for my medicine and bills. I have finally run out of money. I will not sell my farm. I would like to leave it to your church, Pastor Joseph, being a member and all. All of you were so kind to my wife, Rosie, before she passed. It’s all I have left to give anyone,” said Uncle Andy sadly.
Pastor Joseph looked at Uncle Andy. He didn’t say anything until they both finish their coffee. Finally, Pastor Andy spoke, “Now Andy that’s what friends and neighbors are for. You have given so much to others in all these years. I don’t know anyone better than you. You were always there to help. Why everyone comes far and wide just to hear your wonderful stories down at the general store. I have even used them in some of my sermons. Don’t you worry, we will work something out for you to keep your place until the end of your days,” said Pastor Joseph.“Now, I don’t mean not to be polite, but I never want to be a charity case for you or the church. I have only my pride left. I don’t even have any money to have anyone take care of me,” replied Uncle Andy.
Pastor Joseph smiled. “By the way, the General Store manager, Old George, has your grocery order in the back of my car. He said it’s on the house for you helping him every time you stopped there,” Pastor Joseph laughed.“I don’t know what you are talking about. I never did any work for him at the store,” replied Uncle Andy. “Now Uncle Andy you should know better. Old George knows better. He wants you to come back as soon as possible. He sent me here to take you back to his store. He said that the last two weeks without you had cost him money.”Old Uncle Andy said, “What do you mean by costing him money?”
Pastor Joseph answered his question, “Old George says that when people see that you are at his store, they stop by to just listen to your stories and play checkers with you. Now when they stop, they buy things like drinks, candy and other stuff. Without you there, they go out to that fancy store down the street. You see like it or not you are what they call a “celebrity” around here. People can’t get enough of your warmth and humor. Why most people I know said to drag you back to town. They miss you and want you around them. Old George said that he owes you a lot of money for coming to his store. He will help you with your money and his wife will take care of you, but you will have to live with them. They have a spare room in the back of the store all set up for you. What do you say Old Uncle Andy? That’s what they call you around these parts?”Old Uncle Andy replied, “And all I have to do is tell stories and play checkers. My wife said I was always a blow hard telling my stories down there. When I get to see her soon in heaven, I guess I will have the last laugh.” Pastor Joseph said, “No, your wrong. Who do you do think set this up with Old George and his wife? Rosie knew that one day someone would need to take care of you without her around. That’s why she let you spend so much time in town.”
Old Andy got up from the kitchen table. He went over to a kitchen drawer. He took out some papers and handed it to Pastor Joseph. “Here’s the deed to our farm. I won’t be needing it anymore. It’s from me and Rosie.” Old Andy lived a few years longer than expected. Everyone still remembers Old Uncle Andy. There’s still a rocking chair by that old pot belly stove that says on it, “Old Uncle Andy’s Rocking Chair, anyone who sits in it must tell a story.” They say that on some stormy nights if you are very quiet, the old rocking chair will move, and you can hear him tell one of his funny stories.
Having said that, let’s share a beverage and a Native American Proverb. The Proverb of today goes like this, “The Great Creator said, “Do not waste your talents. They were given to you and for your tribe.” Thanks for coming. Enjoy your gift of today. Have a great day! We look forward to seeing you next time!
