Peace Pilgrim: Walking Her Talk Against Hate

By Merry Brennan

Can you imagine giving up everything you own and walking across the country... for 28 years?
Meet Peace Pilgrim (1908-1981), a New Jersey farm girl and roaring 20's flapper, who changed her life completely (including her name) to promote peace. With only the clothes on her back and no money, she zigzagged across the U.S. on foot seven times, spreading her message of non-violence and love. She lived off the land and the kindness of those she met. She slept outdoors, in bus stations, in parked cars and, once, on the front seat of a fire engine in Tombstone, Arizona. Whenever she ran into trouble – physical or verbal – her sole response was love. She touched tens of thousands of lives, one step at a time. Never heard of her? Read the book and you’ll never forget her!
Although aimed at 'tweens and teens -- and those who teach them -- hers is a story that will inspire readers of all ages. This BIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL includes photos, glossary & reader's guide for classrooms/book clubs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Merry Brennan
• Release date: Feb 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9780988847828

Merry Brennan

Merry Brennan loves writing, making art and exploring the world. She lives on the Jersey Shore with her husband, three kids and an old lab, Scout, who breaks into the refrigerator when no one's looking. (Last Thanksgiving, he got a whole turkey, but left the dark meat!)A long-time professional writer and journalist, her work has appeared in dozens of publications since she sold her first piece to Highlights for Children when she was in high school. Merry is currently working on two additional teen/'tween realistic fiction books. You can follow her at www.merrymorphosis.com

Book preview

What readers are saying about Peace Pilgrim…

"Great read, simple yet compelling. The content of this book is one that the world needs more of."

"This is a gift to share with our children and grandchildren."

"Attention Teachers & Peacemakers… this informative biography provides a real life lesson of the power of one. Well written and inspiring."

"Peace Pilgrim Has Lessons for Everyone."

Peace Pilgrim: walking her talk against hate

a biographical novel by Merry Brennan

Copyright Merry Brennan 2013

Published by Riding the Waves Publishing at Smashwords

This book is available in print.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Author’s Note: my truth about truth

PART 1: Childhood of Fun and Friends

Chapter 1. The Lady in the Blue Tunic

Chapter 2. Not Afraid of Anything

Chapter 3. Adventurous Tomboy

Chapter 4. Nice and Headstrong

Chapter 5. Job Satisfaction

Chapter 6. Troubled Match

Chapter 7. Escalating Conflict

Chapter 8. Why Are We Here?

Chapter 9. Dramatic Changes

Chapter 10. Appalachian Vision

PART 2: Walking for Peace

Chapter 11. Mildred No More

Chapter 12. No Place for Rides

Chapter 13. Blizzards and Bruises

Chapter 14. Behind Bars

Chapter 15. Worthwhile Shiner

Chapter 16. Berries for Breakfast

Chapter 17. The Finish Line

Chapter 18. Cross Country Again

Chapter 19. Four Purifications

Chapter 20. No More Counting

Chapter 21. Celebrity Status

Chapter 22. Broadcast Bully

Chapter 23. Continuing Her Calling

Chapter 24. Cross Examination

Chapter 25. A Fairer Approach

Chapter 26. The Glorious Transition

Chapter 27. Epilogue: The Spirit Lives On

Chapter 28. P.S. – Amazing Mystery Sister

Photos

Glossary

PEACE AND YOU: A Reader’s Guide

About the Author

Author’s Note: my truth about truth

Dear Reader,

As you already know, a biography tells the true story of a person’s life. A biographical novel does the same thing, but it mixes some imagination in with the facts.

The book you are about to read is the true story of Mildred Lisette Norman (1908-1981), who changed her name to Peace Pilgrim when she began walking across the country in 1953. The chapters are filled with actual quotes and events from her life. Many of Peace’s beliefs are included exactly as she spoke or wrote them during her more than 28 years of walking for peace.

However, to help tell her story, I created a few characters, including a childhood friend, Mary, who serves as a continuing anchor in the story. I also combined or changed the order of some events in her journey, plus I invented scenes and dialogue to illustrate what happened before and during her pilgrimages. If you are very curious, please contact me and I am happy to share which parts of the book are facts and which came from my imagination.

But, beyond telling a good story, my real purpose in writing this book was to capture the truth of Peace Pilgrim’s spirit. With every step she took, every meeting she had with groups or individuals, she proved that even a small person, with a small life can make a difference. Her story shows how each one of us can promote peace in our own life, our community, our world.

Peace Pilgrim has been a tremendous inspiration to me. I hope you enjoy reading this biographical novel as much as I enjoyed writing it!

~ ~ ~ ~

PART 1

CHILDHOOD OF FUN AND FRIENDS

Chapter 1: The Lady in the Blue Tunic

Please, Pa? Please can we stay here," begged Margaret.

Yes, pleeeease, chimed in Mable.

At 10, the twins felt they were old enough to stay on the ranch instead of going into town to do chores with their folks.

C’mon, they pleaded in unison, giving him their sweetest looks as he sat in the driver’s seat of his truck, waiting for them to hop in the back. Pa, please!

When he didn’t reply, they ran over to the porch, their braids swinging back and forth. They looked up hopefully at their mother, who was talking to her new friend with that strange name – Peace Pilgrim.

Ma? Please? Can we?

Their mother turned to the smiling older woman and asked, Is it okay, Peace? Will you keep an eye on Margaret and Mable if we leave them here? They’ll keep each other entertained. We’ll be back in a couple of hours.

Peace stepped down and took each girl’s hand. Of course. Don’t you worry, she responded in a high-pitched, singsong voice. You go on and have a good time.

The girls waved happily as they watched the pick-up truck leave a trail of dust down the long dirt driveway. Then Peace walked with them back into the old two-story house.

She headed over to a seat by the front window. Do you mind if I answer a few letters, Peace inquired, reaching into a large pocket in her navy blue tunic. She pulled out a handful of stamped envelopes. I get so much mail every week that I try to take time every day to answer a few. This way I never get too far behind.

She glanced at the top envelope and continued, This one is already a month old. See here, on the postmark? It says May 14, 1959. She held it so the girls could see the tiny date stamped in a circle. I better get busy. You both go play and I’ll keep an eye on you from here, she chirped.

The girls nodded their heads, giggling shyly. But instead of moving, they stood staring as Peace carefully placed her stack of letters on a table in front of her. She removed a pen and some blank paper from her big front pocket. She acted like she didn’t notice them and picked up her first letter to read. Then she turned rapidly with a big smile. Yeeessss? May I help you?

The unexpected gesture made the girls giggle louder. Margaret poked Mable with her elbow, then mouthed the words, go ahead. Mable jabbed back even harder, whispering loudly, "You ask her."

Ohhh? Ask me what, Peace wondered, her eyes sparkling with glee.

Well, uhm, well, Margaret began quickly, looking down at her feet. Mother and Father told us you don’t have a house or a car. She looked up at Peace, gaining confidence. They said you just walk all around the world talking to people.

Yes, piped in Mable. They said you are trying to stop war and hate.

Peace smiled warmly, looking from one beautiful little girl to the other. "Well, I haven’t been all over the world. But, yes. I have walked across the United States a lot."

The twins were wide-eyed. Really? Every state? marveled Mable.

Yes, Peace laughed. I’ve been in every state. And yes, I try to talk to as many people as I can about living in peace instead of rushing to anger. If more and more people can feel peaceful inside, then there won’t be any need for meanness or hatred. And without hatred, there wouldn’t be any wars.

Both girls were quiet for a few moments, not sure what to make of this strange logic. Then curiosity took over as they fired questions.

But where do you sleep? And what do you eat? queried Margaret.

What if it is raining or snowing? And what if you get sick? rushed Mable.

Peace laughed again, turning her gaze from twin to twin. Oh, I sleep wherever I can. Sometimes on a soft bed, like the one your mother and father offered me after they heard me speak at your church last night. A lot of people invite me to their houses. But if not, I sleep on the grass in a field or on soft leaves under a tree. Sometimes, if the weather is very bad, I sleep on a bench in a bus depot.

She saw the girl’s eyes grow even wider and leaned towards them to whisper, And once in a while, a friendly sheriff lets me sleep in an empty jail cell.

The girl’s mouths dropped open as they looked at each other and simultaneously whispered, as if they were afraid to say the word aloud, In jail?

Peace nodded, her eyes twinkling in merriment.

Do you eat jail food? Margaret wondered.

Oh, it’s quite tasty young lady, said Peace. And I also get wonderful meals like I had with you today. But, if not, I find berries and fruits and other delicious treats from my friend, Mother Nature.

This elicited another round of giggles from the girls. Then Mable inched closer to the table, rested her chin on her elbows and looked at their unusual friend.

But, where do you keep your stuff? she asked, not hiding her amazement.

"This is my stuff," answered Peace, pointing to her sneakers, pants and then pulling out the letters, comb, toothbrush and stamps she kept in her tunic.

"That’s it?!"

Yes, dear, this is everything, she said with a shrug. I don’t really need anything else.

But, but, rushed Margaret, unable to get her thoughts out quickly enough. What about clothes and underpants and blankets and… She started looking around the room to name some items filling her house, and dishes and lamps and pillows and...

Peace laughed heartily. She gazed out the window a moment then turned back and met the incredulous stares. Girls, to the world I may seem very poor, walking with everything I own. But I am rich in so many other ways that no amount of money can buy. I’m always healthy, I’m always happy. And most important, I have inner peace. All the possessions or money in the world couldn’t bring me these. Right?

Each twin nodded solemnly, even though they really didn’t understand what the old woman meant.

Now why don’t you go out and play for a while so I can attend to my mail, said Peace, lifting up a letter to read.

They nodded again. Mable gave a slight wave and skipped out the door. Margaret grabbed her doll from a nearby rocking chair and followed her sister. Peace glanced out and saw the two girls laughing together in the yard, probably trying to decipher what she just told them. Then she returned her focus to her correspondence.

The sound of wheels on gravel got Peace’s attention. She looked up and saw a black truck headed towards the house. But it was too early for the twin’s parents to return. She walked out onto the porch to see who arrived.

A big man in coveralls and a cowboy hat got out of the truck. As soon as Margaret and Mable saw him, they shrieked and raced towards the barn across the field. The man followed quickly, his large boots kicking up grass and dirt with each heavy step. Peace Pilgrim immediately rushed after them and heard his gruff threat as he chased the girls.

I know it was you two and yer little friends in my barn yestaday, ya little thieves. And if your papa ain’t here to do somethin’ about it, I sure will.

~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter 2: Not Afraid of Anything

The twins huddled in a corner of the barn, their faces white with terror. They hugged each other tightly, Margaret’s doll between them.

The man stood in the doorway, stroking his scraggly brown beard with one large hand while shaking a finger at them with the other. Then he took slow, deliberate steps towards them. Gotcha trapped now ya little vermin. Ya can’t hide from me.

Mable gasped and grabbed tighter to Margaret, who started to cry.

Yer tears don’t work on me. Yer no sweet little girls. I know what you and yer friends done, he spat, his face growing red with anger. And now yer gonna pay.

Both girls were whimpering loudly now, trying to crawl backward on their knees. But there was nowhere to go. They were against the barn wall. He was now just a few steps away.

Peace reached the barn out-of-breath and saw the man’s menacing silhouette advancing towards the twins. Without hesitating, she raced past him and put herself right in front of the