A/N: Sam is a true hearted hobbit who cherishes his friends and family.
However, Sam can not see his true value. Sam's low self-esteem and his
simple thought of mind prevents him from seeing just how wonderful he truly
is. Sam tries has hard as he can, but never seems to be good enough for
anyone. His friends help him to discover what a remarkable hobbit he truly
is.
Chapter 1
Samwise
"Come on lads. There's work to be done. Be off with you now!" Gaffer shouted as his voice echoed throughout Bagshot Row. Three hobbits scrabbled, their feet barely touching the ground, running up towards Bag End. Mr. Frodo's coach was fast approaching and Bilbo waited at the gate until it stopped.
The dust flew and circled around Bilbo as the coach stopped directly in front of Bag End. Bilbo waved his hand in front of his face to clear the air as the coachmen opened the door and helped Frodo out of the coach. Bilbo quickly embraced Frodo and greeted him with the warmest of smiles.
The three boys ran into each other as the first boy stopped suddenly and second boy, just behind him bumped into him and the last boy ran head on into the two that sent them all falling to the ground.
"Here now, straighten yourselves up proper!" Bilbo snapped at the lads. "Frodo, you remember the Gamgee boys now don't you?"
"Yes, I do," commented Frodo.
"This taller boy here is Hamson," said Bilbo as he untangled the hobbits and standing the taller hobbit to his feet. "This here, is Halfred." Bilbo grabbed the shirt collar of the boy and stood him next to Hamson. "Then we have here, this is Samwise."
"This is Sam?" "Why you have grown some since the last summer when I last visited Bag End. You were still at your mother's feet and now you are helping out your brothers," said Frodo patting Sam on the back.
Sam slowly raised his eyes to meet those of Frodo. A half smile was all that Sam could mustard as he face took on a reddish tint.
"Come Frodo we have much catching up to do, let the boys unload the coach while we have our tea." Bilbo said as he led the way into Bag End.
Hamson climbing on top of the coach and tossed down a couple of bigger bags. Halfred rushed to grab one and began to head into Bag End. Throwing down a smaller bag for the younger hobbit to carry. Sam tried to pick up the bigger bag until Hamson shouted down at him, "No Sam, you take the smaller one. Your not grown enough to carry the bigger bags yet."
"I could carry a big bag, I'm not that small." Sam tried to argue with his brother.
Hamson took the bigger bag out of Sam's hand and began to follow after his brother. Sam stood there looking down at the smaller bag and looked up at the other three bags perched on top of the coach. He wanted to show his older brother that he too could carry the bigger bags. So he climbed the coach and began pulling down the biggest bag.
"Bilbo, I forgot my gift in the coach. I will go and fetch it." Frodo said as he turned running out of the dinning room toward the outside door.
Sam stood on top of the coach and pulling with all of his might. He managed to free the bigger bag and just as he was about to lower it over the top of the coach. It slipped out of his small hand and the bag tumbled down crashing to the ground. The bag opened and all of Frodo's things spilt out onto the ground.
The Gaffer just rounded the hill leading up towards Bag End and it angered him to see his son trying to pick up all of Frodo's things from the dirt. The Gaffer screamed, "Seems your in a bit o' a fix, Samwise! How many times do I have to keep tellin' you now? Let the older boys carry those bigger bags. Now you have messed Mr. Frodo's things."
"Beggin your pardon, Gaffer. I did not mean for this to have happened." Sam pleaded with his father.
"It is quite alright, Gaffer. No harm done. Here let me help you with those things, Sam," Frodo told him as he kneeled down next to Sam.
"Thankee, Mr. Frodo." Sam said while handing Frodo a pile of clothing. Frodo took them and shoved them back into his bag.
"Busy hands that work the soil, is what I say, will help a clumsy hand, off with you now to the garden, boy," said Gaffer tapping the top of Sam's head.
Sam took off running to the garden and his father walked slowly from behind him. Sam much preferred the gardens then carrying in bags.
"Now don't be touching those prize winning rose bushes. Only I touch them. It takes an experienced gardener to handle them. Do you hear me, Sam!" Gaffer shouted after him from behind.
~*~
Mrs. Gamgee poured the tea into the cups and placed them on the tray with her best tea biscuits. She headed into the dinning room to beginning serving the Baggins. She smiled at Frodo as she placed his cup in front of him and offered him a biscuit. "So pleased we are that you are back at Bag End, Master Frodo."
"I am glad to be back also, Mrs. Gamgee. I have missed everyone so." Frodo told her as he took a large tea biscuit and placed it on his plate.
Returning back to the kitchen her older boys sat waiting patiently at the table. Their mother just made some fresh lemon-aid. She poured her sons a large glass full. "Where is Sam?"
"He is pulling weeds in the garden with the Gaffer. Seems he dropped one of Master Frodo's bag and it broke open. The Gaffer is making him learn another lesson." Hamson told his mother.
"The Gaffer is just too hard on the boy. After all he tries as hard as he can." Mrs. Gamgee commented as she watched through the window at Sam pulled weeds in the hot summer sun. "I'll be saving this glass for me Sam. You two boys, go back to Bagshot Row and help your sisters with the chores. I'll be home shortly once I tidy up around here."
~*~
Frodo came into the kitchen and saw a tall glass of lemon-aid sitting on the table. He was about to take a drink when he noticed Sam wiping the sweat off his brow as he labored pulling the weeds.
Walking out of the kitchen, Frodo approached Sam and offered him the glass of lemon-aid. "Thankee, Mr. Frodo. I could stand to wet my whistle with a cool drink." Sam said as he sat in the shade and wiped the dirt from his knees. He fingers were caked with ground in dirt.
"You do not have to keep calling me, Mr. Frodo."
"Begging your pardon, Master Frodo. But, yes he does. I have taught me boy's manners. I'll not have them disrespecting, if you know my meaning," Gaffer said as he too approached them.
Gaffer took the glass of cool lemon-aid and began to drink. He saved Sam a swallow or two and reminded him he needed to finish with the weeding.
"I am sorry Sam, that you have to pull all these weeds." Frodo said sympathetic to Sam, seeing him working so hard for such a small lad.
"It is alright, Mr. Frodo. I enjoy working with my hands. The Gaffer takes great pride in these gardens and so do I. I really love working in the gardens. There is no placed finer that I can think of."
"Perhaps Sam, you will grow up being the finest gardener in all the Shire." Frodo commented as he watched a smile break the corner of Sam's lip. "When you're finished, you come into the kitchen. I will make sure you have a full glass of lemon-aid just for yourself." Frodo said as he turned heading back into Bag End.
"Be a good lad and run to fetch me the old fish bones from my bag. I was saving them for these rose bushes. It makes a fine fertilizer and strengthens the soil," the Gaffer told him after he loosens the soil around the deep red rose bush.
Within minutes Sam was back at his Gaffer's side and watched him as he carefully broke up the fish bones and guts. He mixed it into the soil. Packing the soil once again, he poured a good helping of water. "I guess that does it."
Sam held the water can and began to pour it over his father's hands. After he washed all the soil from his hands and wiped them on a towel. The Gaffer stood and looked over the garden. He could not see one weed growing anywhere in the garden. "It will do. Come let us get some of the cool lemon- aid Mr. Frodo has in his kitchen." Gaffer wrapped his arm around his son and they both walked into Bag End, using the servant's door.
Frodo smiled as he looked up from his book seeing the two workers finished for the day and he rushed to pour them a full glass of lemon-aid.
"The garden is in full bloom, Mr. Baggins. You'll not find a finer garden in all the shire, I'll be telling ya," The Gaffer proudly said Bilbo who also sat at the table with Frodo.
"Please come join us at the table Gaffer?" asked Frodo.
"No thankee, we be happy standing here with our drinks." Gaffer said as he added, "Looks like a rain cloud be brewin' south-away. We could get a shower this evening. Just what the roses are needing. Everything will be greener in the mornin'.
"Gaffer you're the finest gardener I have seen. I am pleaded with the gardens. You tend them better than anyone I know," Bilbo told him.
"Thankee, Mr. Baggins. I appreciate that," Gaffer paused as he turned to Sam. "Come now boy, drink up. Your mother has a fine supper on the table by now. She will not be happy if it gets cold," gaffer motioned to Sam to hurray.
Sam took a big gulp and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. He tried to set the glass down on the counter, but accidentally tipped it over spilling the rest of the lemon-aid on the counter.
"Mind your thinking boy. If there were a weed to be pulled, those thick hands of yours would be pulling them. What clumsy hands you have," Gaffer snapped at Sam.
"Beggin your pardon. I'll clean it up straight away." Sam rushed to find a towel.
"No harm done, Sam. This is not the first drink ever spilt in this kitchen, I assure you," Frodo commented.
"Let's be off now, before you break something else," Gaffer grabbed Sam by the collar and led him out of Bag End.
Bilbo chuckled when he turned to Frodo and commented, "Sam is a bit clumsy and awkward, but no finer a boy you could meet. He has a big heart that goes with his big hands."
"I agree Bilbo. Sam seems to have such a gentle spirit about him."
~*~
The door slowly opened as the Gaffer and Sam walked in. Mrs. Gamgee turned and began to take the big pot from the stove that she was keeping warm for them.
"I fed the children earlier, so you both get washed up proper while I set the table for you." Mrs. Gamgee ordered the two, pointing to the wash tub. While the two were scrubbing she added, "Gaffer, did Sam tell you that he found a wee rabbit with a hurt foot. Our Sam bandaged the foot hisself and took good care of the poor thing."
"That's all we need another mouth to feed. Well, maybe we can fatten him up some and it will be worth eatin'," Gaffer said.
"He's not for eating, Gaffer. Rather, I was hoping on keeping him. I built him a fine cage in the back." Sam said in hopes that the Gaffer would agree.
"D'you know you'll be tending him just like any other chores you have," Gaffer told him.
"Can't say fairer then that. I will see to him after supper." Sam said smiling to himself. He had longed to have a pet for sometime.
"I made you both a fine tatter stew. Come now and sit. I'll not have it getting cold." Mrs. Gamgee said while holding her potholders over the lid. When she lifted the lid and a warmed seasoning smell filled the air. Sam's stomach growled with hunger. He smacked his lips while he watched his mother fill their plates full. Sam could eat anything if you mixed tatters with it.
She took out of the oven a fresh loaf of bread and began to cut it into slices. The smell of fresh baked bread caused Sam to pause a moment from gulping the stew and ask for a big slice of bread. Sam spread a chunk of butter on the bread and watched it melt from the warmth. It wasn't long until not a crumb was left on their plates.
Mrs. Gamgee smiled as she watched them gulp down every mouthful of her stew. She loved to see her family with a strong healthy appetite.
"Mother you out did yourself. That was the finest supper I have eaten," Sam said when he pulled himself away from the table. Sam patted his now rounded hard stomach as he stood and walked over to grab his cloak so he could feed his rabbits. His mother handed him the scrapping from the carrots that she saved for his rabbit. Sam gratefully accepted them and walked out into the cool evening air.
He could hardly keep his eyes open long enough to check the bandages and fill the small bowl with water. He gently stroked the rabbits long velvet ears as he placed him back into his new rabbit hut that he had built earlier in the day.
Sam yawned and stretched his back as he turned to head for the comforts of his small little bed.
Taking a candle he lit it and opening the dressing closet. He was very careful to place the candle in its holder mounted on the wall. Sam undressed and put on his long sleeping shirt. Taking the candle, he headed for the bedroom that the boys shared. Seeing Hamson sitting up in his bed reading his book, Sam rolled his eyes. All he wanted was to get a good night sleep. He was sure Hamson would think otherwise. He would talk his ear off as many a night that he did. Sam laid his head down on his pillow and rolled over to face the wall.
"Sam would you want me to read to you this part of my story? It is about far away places and only the bravest of hobbits dare venture," pleaded Hamson.
"Not tonight, Hamson. The only thing I want to see is the inside of my eye lids."
"How are you ever going to learn reading and writing, if you never pay mind to books?" asked Hamson.
"I love the stories and can not get enough of them. The letters just get a bit o' confusing and besides as the Gaffer always says, 'It's not the reading that gives a hobbit his smarts, it's the character in his own heart.' Now Hamson, please, enough of this. Let me shut me eyes, I can hardly keep them open."
Sam pulled the covers over his head and before long he was snoring loudly, even with the endless chatter coming from Hamson.
~*~
The next morning Sam rushed into the kitchen and cut himself a big slice of bread and spread a thick coat of his mother's fresh homemade jelly on top of it. He quickly shoved it into his mouth.
He saw no one about and this worried him. He had missed breakfast with the family and he snarled at himself for sleeping so long. Surely he would have to hear what the Gaffer had to say about that.
Sam saw a small wedge of lettuce cut and some finely shredded carrots sitting on the counter. Sam knew his mother left it for him to feed his rabbit. Taking his mother's offering. He rushed to tend his rabbit.
Sam stood in shock as he saw the cage open and the rabbit was gone. He looked about and under every bush in hopes that the rabbit did not get far.
Sam heard the Gaffer and his brothers coming down the road. Sam looked up to see that his brothers carried a long string of conies that they just caught. His heart sank thinking this is what happened to his rabbit. Maybe the Gaffer thought he was fat enough to eat. A tear stung the corner of his eye.
Chapter 1
Samwise
"Come on lads. There's work to be done. Be off with you now!" Gaffer shouted as his voice echoed throughout Bagshot Row. Three hobbits scrabbled, their feet barely touching the ground, running up towards Bag End. Mr. Frodo's coach was fast approaching and Bilbo waited at the gate until it stopped.
The dust flew and circled around Bilbo as the coach stopped directly in front of Bag End. Bilbo waved his hand in front of his face to clear the air as the coachmen opened the door and helped Frodo out of the coach. Bilbo quickly embraced Frodo and greeted him with the warmest of smiles.
The three boys ran into each other as the first boy stopped suddenly and second boy, just behind him bumped into him and the last boy ran head on into the two that sent them all falling to the ground.
"Here now, straighten yourselves up proper!" Bilbo snapped at the lads. "Frodo, you remember the Gamgee boys now don't you?"
"Yes, I do," commented Frodo.
"This taller boy here is Hamson," said Bilbo as he untangled the hobbits and standing the taller hobbit to his feet. "This here, is Halfred." Bilbo grabbed the shirt collar of the boy and stood him next to Hamson. "Then we have here, this is Samwise."
"This is Sam?" "Why you have grown some since the last summer when I last visited Bag End. You were still at your mother's feet and now you are helping out your brothers," said Frodo patting Sam on the back.
Sam slowly raised his eyes to meet those of Frodo. A half smile was all that Sam could mustard as he face took on a reddish tint.
"Come Frodo we have much catching up to do, let the boys unload the coach while we have our tea." Bilbo said as he led the way into Bag End.
Hamson climbing on top of the coach and tossed down a couple of bigger bags. Halfred rushed to grab one and began to head into Bag End. Throwing down a smaller bag for the younger hobbit to carry. Sam tried to pick up the bigger bag until Hamson shouted down at him, "No Sam, you take the smaller one. Your not grown enough to carry the bigger bags yet."
"I could carry a big bag, I'm not that small." Sam tried to argue with his brother.
Hamson took the bigger bag out of Sam's hand and began to follow after his brother. Sam stood there looking down at the smaller bag and looked up at the other three bags perched on top of the coach. He wanted to show his older brother that he too could carry the bigger bags. So he climbed the coach and began pulling down the biggest bag.
"Bilbo, I forgot my gift in the coach. I will go and fetch it." Frodo said as he turned running out of the dinning room toward the outside door.
Sam stood on top of the coach and pulling with all of his might. He managed to free the bigger bag and just as he was about to lower it over the top of the coach. It slipped out of his small hand and the bag tumbled down crashing to the ground. The bag opened and all of Frodo's things spilt out onto the ground.
The Gaffer just rounded the hill leading up towards Bag End and it angered him to see his son trying to pick up all of Frodo's things from the dirt. The Gaffer screamed, "Seems your in a bit o' a fix, Samwise! How many times do I have to keep tellin' you now? Let the older boys carry those bigger bags. Now you have messed Mr. Frodo's things."
"Beggin your pardon, Gaffer. I did not mean for this to have happened." Sam pleaded with his father.
"It is quite alright, Gaffer. No harm done. Here let me help you with those things, Sam," Frodo told him as he kneeled down next to Sam.
"Thankee, Mr. Frodo." Sam said while handing Frodo a pile of clothing. Frodo took them and shoved them back into his bag.
"Busy hands that work the soil, is what I say, will help a clumsy hand, off with you now to the garden, boy," said Gaffer tapping the top of Sam's head.
Sam took off running to the garden and his father walked slowly from behind him. Sam much preferred the gardens then carrying in bags.
"Now don't be touching those prize winning rose bushes. Only I touch them. It takes an experienced gardener to handle them. Do you hear me, Sam!" Gaffer shouted after him from behind.
~*~
Mrs. Gamgee poured the tea into the cups and placed them on the tray with her best tea biscuits. She headed into the dinning room to beginning serving the Baggins. She smiled at Frodo as she placed his cup in front of him and offered him a biscuit. "So pleased we are that you are back at Bag End, Master Frodo."
"I am glad to be back also, Mrs. Gamgee. I have missed everyone so." Frodo told her as he took a large tea biscuit and placed it on his plate.
Returning back to the kitchen her older boys sat waiting patiently at the table. Their mother just made some fresh lemon-aid. She poured her sons a large glass full. "Where is Sam?"
"He is pulling weeds in the garden with the Gaffer. Seems he dropped one of Master Frodo's bag and it broke open. The Gaffer is making him learn another lesson." Hamson told his mother.
"The Gaffer is just too hard on the boy. After all he tries as hard as he can." Mrs. Gamgee commented as she watched through the window at Sam pulled weeds in the hot summer sun. "I'll be saving this glass for me Sam. You two boys, go back to Bagshot Row and help your sisters with the chores. I'll be home shortly once I tidy up around here."
~*~
Frodo came into the kitchen and saw a tall glass of lemon-aid sitting on the table. He was about to take a drink when he noticed Sam wiping the sweat off his brow as he labored pulling the weeds.
Walking out of the kitchen, Frodo approached Sam and offered him the glass of lemon-aid. "Thankee, Mr. Frodo. I could stand to wet my whistle with a cool drink." Sam said as he sat in the shade and wiped the dirt from his knees. He fingers were caked with ground in dirt.
"You do not have to keep calling me, Mr. Frodo."
"Begging your pardon, Master Frodo. But, yes he does. I have taught me boy's manners. I'll not have them disrespecting, if you know my meaning," Gaffer said as he too approached them.
Gaffer took the glass of cool lemon-aid and began to drink. He saved Sam a swallow or two and reminded him he needed to finish with the weeding.
"I am sorry Sam, that you have to pull all these weeds." Frodo said sympathetic to Sam, seeing him working so hard for such a small lad.
"It is alright, Mr. Frodo. I enjoy working with my hands. The Gaffer takes great pride in these gardens and so do I. I really love working in the gardens. There is no placed finer that I can think of."
"Perhaps Sam, you will grow up being the finest gardener in all the Shire." Frodo commented as he watched a smile break the corner of Sam's lip. "When you're finished, you come into the kitchen. I will make sure you have a full glass of lemon-aid just for yourself." Frodo said as he turned heading back into Bag End.
"Be a good lad and run to fetch me the old fish bones from my bag. I was saving them for these rose bushes. It makes a fine fertilizer and strengthens the soil," the Gaffer told him after he loosens the soil around the deep red rose bush.
Within minutes Sam was back at his Gaffer's side and watched him as he carefully broke up the fish bones and guts. He mixed it into the soil. Packing the soil once again, he poured a good helping of water. "I guess that does it."
Sam held the water can and began to pour it over his father's hands. After he washed all the soil from his hands and wiped them on a towel. The Gaffer stood and looked over the garden. He could not see one weed growing anywhere in the garden. "It will do. Come let us get some of the cool lemon- aid Mr. Frodo has in his kitchen." Gaffer wrapped his arm around his son and they both walked into Bag End, using the servant's door.
Frodo smiled as he looked up from his book seeing the two workers finished for the day and he rushed to pour them a full glass of lemon-aid.
"The garden is in full bloom, Mr. Baggins. You'll not find a finer garden in all the shire, I'll be telling ya," The Gaffer proudly said Bilbo who also sat at the table with Frodo.
"Please come join us at the table Gaffer?" asked Frodo.
"No thankee, we be happy standing here with our drinks." Gaffer said as he added, "Looks like a rain cloud be brewin' south-away. We could get a shower this evening. Just what the roses are needing. Everything will be greener in the mornin'.
"Gaffer you're the finest gardener I have seen. I am pleaded with the gardens. You tend them better than anyone I know," Bilbo told him.
"Thankee, Mr. Baggins. I appreciate that," Gaffer paused as he turned to Sam. "Come now boy, drink up. Your mother has a fine supper on the table by now. She will not be happy if it gets cold," gaffer motioned to Sam to hurray.
Sam took a big gulp and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. He tried to set the glass down on the counter, but accidentally tipped it over spilling the rest of the lemon-aid on the counter.
"Mind your thinking boy. If there were a weed to be pulled, those thick hands of yours would be pulling them. What clumsy hands you have," Gaffer snapped at Sam.
"Beggin your pardon. I'll clean it up straight away." Sam rushed to find a towel.
"No harm done, Sam. This is not the first drink ever spilt in this kitchen, I assure you," Frodo commented.
"Let's be off now, before you break something else," Gaffer grabbed Sam by the collar and led him out of Bag End.
Bilbo chuckled when he turned to Frodo and commented, "Sam is a bit clumsy and awkward, but no finer a boy you could meet. He has a big heart that goes with his big hands."
"I agree Bilbo. Sam seems to have such a gentle spirit about him."
~*~
The door slowly opened as the Gaffer and Sam walked in. Mrs. Gamgee turned and began to take the big pot from the stove that she was keeping warm for them.
"I fed the children earlier, so you both get washed up proper while I set the table for you." Mrs. Gamgee ordered the two, pointing to the wash tub. While the two were scrubbing she added, "Gaffer, did Sam tell you that he found a wee rabbit with a hurt foot. Our Sam bandaged the foot hisself and took good care of the poor thing."
"That's all we need another mouth to feed. Well, maybe we can fatten him up some and it will be worth eatin'," Gaffer said.
"He's not for eating, Gaffer. Rather, I was hoping on keeping him. I built him a fine cage in the back." Sam said in hopes that the Gaffer would agree.
"D'you know you'll be tending him just like any other chores you have," Gaffer told him.
"Can't say fairer then that. I will see to him after supper." Sam said smiling to himself. He had longed to have a pet for sometime.
"I made you both a fine tatter stew. Come now and sit. I'll not have it getting cold." Mrs. Gamgee said while holding her potholders over the lid. When she lifted the lid and a warmed seasoning smell filled the air. Sam's stomach growled with hunger. He smacked his lips while he watched his mother fill their plates full. Sam could eat anything if you mixed tatters with it.
She took out of the oven a fresh loaf of bread and began to cut it into slices. The smell of fresh baked bread caused Sam to pause a moment from gulping the stew and ask for a big slice of bread. Sam spread a chunk of butter on the bread and watched it melt from the warmth. It wasn't long until not a crumb was left on their plates.
Mrs. Gamgee smiled as she watched them gulp down every mouthful of her stew. She loved to see her family with a strong healthy appetite.
"Mother you out did yourself. That was the finest supper I have eaten," Sam said when he pulled himself away from the table. Sam patted his now rounded hard stomach as he stood and walked over to grab his cloak so he could feed his rabbits. His mother handed him the scrapping from the carrots that she saved for his rabbit. Sam gratefully accepted them and walked out into the cool evening air.
He could hardly keep his eyes open long enough to check the bandages and fill the small bowl with water. He gently stroked the rabbits long velvet ears as he placed him back into his new rabbit hut that he had built earlier in the day.
Sam yawned and stretched his back as he turned to head for the comforts of his small little bed.
Taking a candle he lit it and opening the dressing closet. He was very careful to place the candle in its holder mounted on the wall. Sam undressed and put on his long sleeping shirt. Taking the candle, he headed for the bedroom that the boys shared. Seeing Hamson sitting up in his bed reading his book, Sam rolled his eyes. All he wanted was to get a good night sleep. He was sure Hamson would think otherwise. He would talk his ear off as many a night that he did. Sam laid his head down on his pillow and rolled over to face the wall.
"Sam would you want me to read to you this part of my story? It is about far away places and only the bravest of hobbits dare venture," pleaded Hamson.
"Not tonight, Hamson. The only thing I want to see is the inside of my eye lids."
"How are you ever going to learn reading and writing, if you never pay mind to books?" asked Hamson.
"I love the stories and can not get enough of them. The letters just get a bit o' confusing and besides as the Gaffer always says, 'It's not the reading that gives a hobbit his smarts, it's the character in his own heart.' Now Hamson, please, enough of this. Let me shut me eyes, I can hardly keep them open."
Sam pulled the covers over his head and before long he was snoring loudly, even with the endless chatter coming from Hamson.
~*~
The next morning Sam rushed into the kitchen and cut himself a big slice of bread and spread a thick coat of his mother's fresh homemade jelly on top of it. He quickly shoved it into his mouth.
He saw no one about and this worried him. He had missed breakfast with the family and he snarled at himself for sleeping so long. Surely he would have to hear what the Gaffer had to say about that.
Sam saw a small wedge of lettuce cut and some finely shredded carrots sitting on the counter. Sam knew his mother left it for him to feed his rabbit. Taking his mother's offering. He rushed to tend his rabbit.
Sam stood in shock as he saw the cage open and the rabbit was gone. He looked about and under every bush in hopes that the rabbit did not get far.
Sam heard the Gaffer and his brothers coming down the road. Sam looked up to see that his brothers carried a long string of conies that they just caught. His heart sank thinking this is what happened to his rabbit. Maybe the Gaffer thought he was fat enough to eat. A tear stung the corner of his eye.