Clarence the Cricket

By Pat St. Pierre

Freddie sat outside on a sunny summer afternoon and watched butterflies dancing around his mother’s flower garden. He had been sick with leukaemia for a long time, but now he was getting better. Today was the first time his mom had allowed him outside. He sat in a chair with a book on his lap. The sun felt warm on his face, yet Freddie felt sad.

Everyone had friends to play with except Freddie. He couldn’t wait to get better. I guess my old friends think sick kids are no fun..

At that moment he felt a tickle near his ear. He thought it was a fly, so he brushed at his ear.

“Don’t do that,” said a voice. “You might hurt me.”

Freddie quickly turned his head and looked around the lawn, “Who said that?”

“I did,” said the voice.

“But I don’t see anyone,” said Freddie.

“That’s because I’m small,” said the voice. “Look on your shoulder.”

Freddie turned and looked and on his shoulder there sat a cricket. He reached over and took the cricket off. his shoulder and held it in the palm of his hand The cricket was dressed in a brown hat, green shirt and black pants.

“I’m Clarence,” said the cricket.

“ Wow! You can talk?” said Freddie as he held the cricket.

“Yes, I can,” said the cricket.

“My name’s Freddie. He stared at Clarence. “Crickets aren’t supposed to talk and they never wear clothes,” said Freddie.

“I’m special,” said Clarence puffing out his chest.

“How so?” asked Freddie.

“I’m here to be your friend until you get better,” said Clarence smiling.

“Wow,” said Freddie. “You mean you’ll  play games and stuff with me.”

“Absolutely,” answered the cricket. “Now let’s get started. What do you want to do first?”

“Play checkers,” said Freddie.

They played checkers and then they played over and over again. “Now let’s play I Spy,” said Freddie. Clarence Cricket was very good at guessing. He was much better at it than Freddie and proved to be a great player. In the coming days, Clarence played Star Wars, Connect 4, Boggle, and many other games with Freddie.

As the summer days continued, Freddie grew stronger and healthier.

He and Clarence went for longer and longer walks together. They practiced skimming stones on the surface of the pond. Freddie began to feel the energy flow through him. He was happy once again.

You sure are getting stronger,” said his mom.

“Yes, I am,” said Freddie, “that’s because of Clarence.”

‘Who’s Clarence?” asked his mom looking puzzled.

“He’s my friend the cricket,” said Freddie.

“A cricket!” said his mom.

“Yes. He’s in my room and he stays in a jar,” answered Freddie. “He plays games with me every day. We have lots of fun together,” he said.

His mom and dad looked at each other and shook their heads. “That boy has SOME imagination,” said his dad.

“He’s real,” said Freddie. “We’re always playing games, telling stories to each other, and laughing.”

Toward the end of the summer, Freddie felt much better. His mother said, “ Freddy, your doctor said you are doing fantastic. It’s time for you to see some children your own age.”

“I don’t need to,” said Freddie, “because I have Clarence.”

The next morning Clarence said to Freddie “I have something to tell you and I don’t want you to be sad. Freddie, it’s time for me to go. You don’t need me anymore.”

“Oh, no,” said Freddie. “But you can’t go. You’re my friend.”

“Yes, I AM, your friend. Yet, it’s time for me to help other children. You’ll be fine without me.” And with a wave, he flew away.

Freddie felt sad without Clarence and he didn‘t want to do much. In the afternoon he saw that a new family had moved into the empty house next door to him. A boy who was just about his age stood on the lawn.

Freddie ran over and introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Freddie.”

“I know,” said the boy.

“How do you know?” asked Freddie.

“The cricket told me!” he said and then he winked.

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