Band of Boys -- Words: 641

"One-two-three-four ..."

The teacher counted and began to play the piano, and twenty-eight small voices piped up:

"Oh, I'm just a little small boy, a little small boy, a little small boy

But I can give my loved ones joy ... my loved ones joy, my loved ones joy!"

The children finished singing and the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. "That's it for now, children, see you tomorrow."

Little Jimmy put on his coat and his hat, picked up his empty lunch basket and began to walk home. This was unusual, considering that Little Jimmy usually ran home. The children were lucky to live in a country with a government that loves children. Schools were located in peaceful neighborhoods, with lanes on which there was very little traffic. Even the smallest children went to and from school unescorted by any adult. They formed clusters, held hands and ran together, leaving off one by one as their paths diverged. It was rather like a game of tag - a very noisy game of tag.

But today, Little Jimmy wasn't part of the group. He was plodding along alone, thinking.

What was it the song said? "I can bring my loved ones joy." Little Jimmy loved his Grandma. He loved her dearly. But now she was in hospital. It was lucky the government loved Grandmas, too, and gave her free healthcare, or Little Jimmy's family may not have been able to afford all the medicines she needed.

The Doctors said Grandma was getting better and would soon be home. The nurses were kind to Little Jimmy when he visited her, and it was this he was thinking of. Abruptly, he turned - taking the path to the left, toward the hospital, instead of going home. He was going to give his loved one, Grandma, some joy.

The nurse smiled as Little Jimmy whispered his plan to her. Yes, she agreed, it was a good plan, and if Little Jimmy didn't mind, she'd include two other Grandmas and two Grandpas, all of whom were in hospital and needed joy.

"But are they my loved ones?" Little Jimmy asked. He wanted to make sure he was doing this exactly right.

"You'll love them all when you meet them. Now run along home, Little Jimmy," the nurse replied. "Your mamma will be worrying about you. Bring what you need and come back at 4 o'clock, in time for the Grandparents' tea."

At 4 o'clock, it wasn't only Little Jimmy who marched in at the hospital gate. His classmates Harold, Todd and Henry were there, too. Each of them was holding something under his coat.

The Grandparents were sitting up in their beds for their tea. They smiled as the little band of boys entered. It was a nice surprise to have so many visitors!

But they were even more surprised when the boys uncovered what they were hiding under their coats. Little Jimmy had a flute his uncle had made for him last Christmas. Harold had a tin plate and spoon. Todd had a toy drum. Henry, who took music classes, had a real violin.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the nurse announced. "We now have a band of boys to bring you joy."

"One-two-three-four ..." Todd counted, and the boys began, accompanying themselves with the musical instruments.

"Oh if I was president of the republic, the republic, the republic

I'd make a rule nobody falls sick, falls sick, falls sick
And if you do you must get well quick, get well quick, get well quick!"

"That was lovely!" came a voice from the doorway.

Everyone turned to see Dr. Capoor there, smiling broadly. "I'm sure the band has given my patients so much joy, it's like two doses of medicine only without the bitter taste!"

"And it would give joy!" Little Jimmy cheered, to applause from the room.