Arthur was digging around his dad's closet when he found a big black box. Arthur took it out and down to where his dad was at. "Dad what's this?" Arthur's dad froze, "Put that box down in the living room carefully and sit!" His dad said sternly.
Arthur sat the box down and then sat on the couch, he tried to imagine what was in the box, he pictured an electric guitar and learning his dad's really the lead guitar to AB/CD his favorite rock band. But he shook his head, no way his dad is that talented. DW saw Arthur sitting and the box. "Hey Christmas isn't for another 3 months and our birthdays aren't until next year!" She said. She inched to the box "DW COUCH!" Their dad almost snapped. D.W. sat on the couch instantly. Afraid of the box. Maybe it is actually a monster inside. She imagined tentacles and slime rupturing from the case as a monster rose out. The two sat frozen and scared.
Finally their dad walks out of the kitchen, sits down on the chair across from them. "Okay, we are gonna talk about boundaries kids, you should never root through people's things without their permission. It's not really nice and how would you feel if someone went through your things?" He said. Arthur and DW looked at each other and shook their heads.
Their dad looked at them, seeing as they understand. "You two wanna see what's in the case here? They nodded Their dad proceded to open the tabs, and he partially opened it. He pulled out an old musket, cocking and decocking the hammer with loud audible clicks. "This is your great Grandpa's, he was a settler and trapper and this was his first gun. He passed it down to me as an heirloom. I guess this comes to three lessons today." He snickered .
"When either of you see a gun just stop, don't touch, leave it alone, go away, and get an adult!" He said cheerfully. "Remember that and tell your friends too! This way you all can be safe!" He added "Remember to always treat them like they are loaded, always point in a safe direction unless you plan to kill or destroy something, don't put your finger on the trigger unless you're gonna shoot." He said proudly.
"So who wants to hold it?" He said.
Arthur walked up, he was scared, shaking. "Maybe when youre older." Said dad .
DW walked up, "ohhh let me hold it!" DW said. DW loved showing up Arthur and she tried to lift it. But it was way too heavy for her. Dad grabbed a chair and balanced it for her. D.W. seemed unimpressed. "This is boring!" She exclaimed and walled away.
Arthur walked up, picked it up and shouldered it. He imagined himself as a mountain man hunting candy bars and soda cans and then handed it to his dad.
Arthur's dad put it back in the case, then grabbed a spare lock from the kitchen and locked the case. "Okay Arthur, put this back in the closet. His dad said. "And do not EVER go in my closet EVER again!" He said sternly.
Arthur case back in the closet, he saw a vest made from deer hide and a coon skin hat with a old photograph. It was great grandpa Reed! He looked just like Arthur, but with a beard and coonskin hat!
Arthur learned many lessons today about respect, safety and a little bit about his great grandpa.