Highly Commended 3 - Short Story Competition 2016
"The Cap of Many Colours"
by Patsy Miranda
Luis swore under his breath at the sound of the doorbell. Another condolence visit... He pulled the door open irritably only to find a stranger in the doorway. He was tall and dressed in white flowing top and trousers. His hair was also white, as was his beard, and fell gently to his shoulders.
"So sorry to disturb you sir, but would you like something for your little boy?"
By this time, Yeshua had joined them and he looked curiously at the stranger. He too was tired with the endless visitors to the house. And he missed his grandpa so much - it just hurt so much.
"What about this cap, Baba? Would you like to try it on?"
The stranger produced what looked like a woollen cap from his rucksack and handed it directly to Yeshua.
"Try it on, child".
Yeshua took the cap and put it on his head. It fitted perfectly, and it felt so good and comfortable. Luis thought it had silver threads running through it. And there seemed to be several hues of colour which seemed to radiate a gentle light. Luis, rubbed his eyes. He was very tired, and he thought he must be imagining things!
"I like it, daddy" Yeshua looked up hopefully at his father.
"Wait here, I'll need to get some money"
He went back into the house and returned to the door to pay the stranger. But he
was gone!
"Yeshua, where is the old man?" Luis called out to his son.
"Don't know daddy, I went inside to show Rachel my cap."
"Maybe he went to the neighbours next door" Rachel said, helpfully.
But Luis asked at the neighbours and they had not seen anybody .
***
When Judith returned from church, Yeshua ran to show her his new cap. He looked more happy and content than he had for a while now. Both the children had been very tearful and subdued since their grandpa's passing and she was at her wits end to find a way of consoling them. The endless stream of sympathisers had not helped either - although well intentioned, it was a constant reminder of their loss.
When Judith served dinner that evening, Yeshua still had his cap on and she did not have the heart to ask him to remove it. Moreover, he was so peaceful and obedient at the table, she was just grateful for the peace. Today, would have been her father's 91st birthday, but he was no longer with them. She had prepared his favourite meal and everyone ate with great relish.
***
Rachel and Yeshua walked together to school, Rachel running slightly ahead of him as they were already late. Yeshua tried to keep up, but his every sense was strained listening for any sound around. Just as Rachel reached the school gates, two young boys sprang out from behind the trees.
"He's got a new cap. Let's try it on. Quick grab him Jimmy", the tall boy shouted at the younger one.
Yeshua tried to run but his legs had frozen stiff with terror. These bullies had made his life a hell on more than one occasion, but Yeshua was loathe to complain to his parents about them. He had even sworn Rachel to secrecy.
Jimmy held on fast to his right arm as Thomas pulled off the hat. But as he did so, he pulled his hand away screaming loudly. When Jimmy tried to recover the hat, he too began to scream in agony.
Then Yeshua saw that both their hands had turned red and what appeared to be blisters had covered the surface that had made contact with the hat.
And the cap which lay innocently on the ground, seemed to glow and gleam in the morning sunshine, silver threads glistening in triumph. Yeshua gingerly touched the hat, and it seemed to almost leap into his palm. No harm came to him and he slowly put it back on his head.
"He fixed it for us. We'll get you, wait and see" shouted Thomas, as Jimmy began to cry in pain.
Later, Yeshua heard that they had gone to the doctor and when they came to school next day, their injured hands were bandaged. Yeshua told Rachel all about this when they returned home from school, and they both laughed their heads off, although Rachel now eyed the hat with some suspicion.
The next few weeks were very busy at school. Term exams were not far off. Judith reminded the children that they needed to work hard for their results, especially Yeshua. Her lovely boy was a great dreamer and she wasn't sure what his academic future would be.
Imagine her joy, when she saw her young son busy with his books every evening. And the cap of many colours lay faithfully next to him or perched on his head when he fell off to sleep, exhausted from all that studying.
He was also more gentle with Rachel - they didn't seem to quarrel and argue so often. Judith still believed in miracles in spite of all she had seen happen in her life, and she thought she was definitely witnessing one now.
***
The day of the exams came round and Judith was surprised to see how calm and confident Yeshua looked. Usually, he would protest about going to school claiming that he was ill or some such excuse. But not this time. He had all his material prepared and with his cap firmly on his head, he walked with Rachel to school.
The class teacher was surprised at how quickly Yeshua seemed to go through the papers. Maths, English, you name it - he finished before all the other pupils. Imagine her surprise when she looked through his papers and found how well he had done. Could it be? Was he cheating? But she checked his desk and rucksack when he was out of the class and could find nothing incriminating there. Except a cap of many colours. She removed it from his satchel holding it to the light - it seemed to radiate gentle light and a stream of rainbow colours. But it seemed to grow in heat the longer she held it, and she dropped it hurriedly into his satchel as though it burnt her fingers.
Judith and Luis were astounded to find that Yeshua had achieved 'A' grades in all his subjects. When they met his teacher at the end of term Parents Day, she expressed her surprise and suspicion about Yeshua's results. Judith only expressed her surprise and delight, assuring her that Yeshua had for the first time 'put in the work'!
When they got home, Judith turned to Luis and said, "That was a good buy you made, you know!"
"What are you talking about" he replied. "What did I buy?"
"The cap of many colours which Grandpa sent for Yeshua, on his birthday" Judith revealed.
Luis looked at her for a long moment, and his eyes reddened slightly.
"You're right. That was no fakir at the door, we were sent an angel. Grandpa never forgot us, did he?"
"No, he most certainly didn't", Judith responded, taking his hand gently in her own and strolling back into the house.
Miracles did happen, you just had to keep on believing.
The End