Charlie McGee and the Leprechaun. R. C. Jette

      Charlie McGee and the Leprechaun

      Life’s Curious Twist of Events

      Copyright © 2019 R. C. Jette. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.

      Resource Publications

      An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

      199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3

      Eugene, OR 97401

      www.wipfandstock.com

      paperback isbn: 978-1-5326-7828-8

      hardcover isbn: 978-1-5326-7829-5

      ebook isbn: 978-1-5326-7830-1

      Manufactured in the U.S.A. April 9, 2019

      This book is dedicated to the Lord that gives life and to my husband who has always encouraged me to go forward and believe that I can do it no matter how flooded the Jordan may seem.

      A special thanks to Wipf and Stock Publishers for making it all possible, for their professional staff who worked so patiently with me, and for accepting what others rejected by publishing: Storms Are Faith’s Workout: Preparing Christians for Spiritual Ambush (non-fiction, September 27, 2018); The Elfdins and the Gold Temple: An Oralee Chronicle (fiction, October 10, 2018).

      And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

      Romans 8:28 KJV

      Prologue

      Teague was not your ordinary Leprechaun by any means. He was not at all content with making shoes or mending them for that matter. It seems that this young Leprechaun of one hundred years was quite taken with shenanigans. His playful activities were focused on the “trooping fairies” who became rather annoyed by his tomfoolery.

      Teague would hide their green jackets and place red ones like his in their place, or he would hide their food, dishes, and even some of their furniture. His whole undertaking was spent on practical jokes that left the fairies in continuous mayhem to find this or to find that. They were beside themselves with his constant interfering with their daily life. It seemed their whole colony was in regular chaos because of this Leprechaun and his pranks.

      Although the fairies figured that Teague had a good deal to learn, they decided that enough was enough. A secret vote was taken while the Leprechaun was away with his treasure. Through a unanimous vote, they decided that it was time to rid themselves of this Leprechaun’s trickery. They watched and waited until after he had settled down for the night and then sprinkled fairy dust on him. As soon as the dust fell on him, he plunged into a deep sleep.

      While he was in that intense slumber, they tied him up with magical fairy rope, carried him to the Irish Sea, and dropped him in. Of course, everyone that knows anything about Leprechauns is aware that they can’t swim. This was in fact meant to be the end of Teague and not just his trickery. However, when he hit the water, he suddenly woke up, recognized his dilemma, and began to scream for help.

      “Someone help me please;

      This is no tease.

      It seems I’m a victim;

      Fer I cannot swim.

      This rope is fairy magic;

      And fer me quite tragic.”

      He was so involved in his trouble that he forgot that he was not invisible. Nevertheless, this became the means in which his deliverance was made possible.

      Apparently, a human named Charlie thought he was seeing and hearing things as he walked along the shore. For everyone comprehends knowing about the existence of Leprechauns and seeing them are two different things. But, the more Teague shrieked repeatedly, Charlie realized that he was hearing one of the little people call for help. With that revelation, he jumped into the water, quickly swam to the little man, and pulled him to shore.

      But when Teague looked at him, Charlie jumped back in fear. Teague knew that he couldn’t untie himself from the magic rope of the fairies, so he spoke.

      “Don’t ye be a fool;

      I didn’t jump into the pool.

      If ye cut me loose,

      Me power, I will not use.”

      Charlie cut him loose, and Teague just sat quietly for what seemed forever to Charlie. Then slowly the Leprechaun stood up and declared.

      “I vow to end,

      And surely mend,

      Me life of joking,

      And others wounding.”

      The fairies had finally gotten through to Teague who now realized that life is not meant to have fun at someone else’s expense.

      By this time, he appreciated that he had been rescued by a human.

      “I thank ye me lad;

      You’ve made me quite glad.

      Me life ye did save;

      Who was such a knave.

      I do swear to change;

      And me life to rearrange.

      Ye shall be me friend;

      And me ways I’ll surely mend.”

      Determined to rectify his ways, he chose to befriend this human that had saved his life. Charlie became confidant to Teague’s deepest secrets and was permitted to see all his treasures, which included his favorite magical green amulet.

      1

      The Peculiar Birthday Card

      Charlie mcgee had taken on the responsibility of being the man about the farm for his widowed Mum since his Pa’s death. A vigorous worker who did a man’s job since he was eleven, Charlie was respected by all of Hart County. His best friend, besides Colin Coyle, was his dog Toby, a black and silver German shepherd, who was his constant companion. Together they’d do the chores and go on adventures throughout the hundred acres as if exploring new lands.

      This day was an extra special day, for it was Charlie’s sixteenth birthday. He found himself giggling all day and it was difficult to keep his mind on his duties. With his hands on his hips, he sighed heavily and perused the barn to make sure he finished everything. The plow horses were in their stalls with fresh hay in their trough, the milking cows were back in the field, chickens, ducks, geese, goats, rabbits, et cetera were fed. All the stalls and the floor had been mucked out and fresh hay scattered on the floor. The bridles and leads were hanging on their hooks; the blankets were hanging on the front of the stalls. “Good.” He exhaled. “I can’t let my excitement interfere with my properly completing all that has to be done before lunch.” His eyes caught sight of a plate of apple and carrot slices on an empty barrel. “Oh no!” He said grabbing his head with both hands. “I forgot all about feeding Casey.”

      He hurried up, grabbed the carrot and apple slices, and ran over to feed his horse. Feeling his stomach knot up, he fed the treat to his horse with his right hand and rubbed the horse’s neck with his left hand. “I am so sorry, Casey.” He stomped the floor with his right foot. “Birthday or not, I have to keep my mind on responsibility. My Pa would not have forgotten to feed his horse, no matter the day.” After Casey enjoyed his special treat, Charlie filled his hay trough with fresh hay and then he filled the water trough with