The Grandpa B Stories

By Robert D. Schwermann

The Grandpa B Stories originated around a campfire years ago when Grandpa B told his young children the tale of Jeremiah, a larger than life mountain man who talked to the animals and protected the forest. Over the years, he conjured new stories for each of his grandchildren. All were given special powers and starring roles in their own grand adventures.

Throughout The Grandpa B Stories children encounter fun and fanciful characters - flying dogs, surfing chipmunks, bedroom crocodiles, Hookpaw the 3 story tall bear, Therionkin the changeling, fairy princesses and muffin moms and are always able to use their special powers to save the day. The stories take place in several well-known places, giving all who read them a glimpse into the magical world that surrounds them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514455401

Robert D. Schwermann

Robert D. Schwermann lives in Northern California and was raised in a Lutheran Parsonage. While he was growing up, he would visit his grandfather, who was a pioneer circuit rider pastor. His grandfather would tell stories to his grandchildren about living on a horse riding his circuit of remote outlying towns in the wilds of Northern Alberta in the early 1900s. Robert began telling his stories around a campfire surrounded by the children on the camping trips. Mr. Schwermann’s worked in Lassen National Park on a trail crew and then spent many years working as a powerhouse operator in remote Northern California Power Plants. His love and understanding of the outdoors was nurtured during this time of his life. Now retired from a forty-six-year career in electric power system operations and merchant operations, he spends his time between Truckee, California, and the Sacramento area. He is an avid skier and cyclist. Mr. Schwermann’s eight grandchildren are a source of inspiration for his storytelling, which continues most evenings either around a campfire or as bedtime stories.

Book preview

COPYRIGHT © 2016 BY ROBERT D. SCHWERMANN.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 02/02/2016

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

733314

CONTENTS

The Flying Dog

The Great International Surfing Championship Caper

The Little Pirate

Princess Victoria

Mothers of the Earth

Therionkin

The Muffin Moms

To my children and grandchildren, with special thanks to Katy and Becky, who grew up listening to these stories and still wanted more, and to Vicki, Lori, and Erin, who, while walking along the beach in Carmel, encouraged me to write them down.

The Flying Dog

Many years ago, a young man lived in a canyon and had a wonderful little daughter. He spent many memorable hours with her in the woods, up at the lake, and around campfires. This man started his storytelling with this tale.

He has been telling the same story with different versions over the past thirty years.

The little girl inspired him and still does.

This little girl is my daughter Katy.

Katy, this is for you.

M any years ago, the earth was formed by the Great Lord, who also created the animals. The Great Lord also formed B4, the earth mother, who named the animals and gave them purpose. One of the animals that she named had many different body forms but always had a tail that seemed to wag constantly, a voice that always barked, and the willingness to please the human population. B4 named this animal a dog, and its purpose was to bring joy and companionship to the human species. This is the story of one of those animals, the flying dog Beau, and his owner and constant companion, the little girl Katy.

Katy and Beau lived way up in the mountains at the bottom of a canyon. Katy was a pretty little girl, who brought her father great joy. Her father worked in the powerhouses of an electric utility and was gone quite a bit, but when he was home, he spent a lot of time with Katy and Beau. He would put Katy in a pack on his back and take her for long walks in the woods. He pointed out the many wonders of the woods and the creatures that lived in them. He spoke fondly of his ancestor, the great mountain man Jeremiah Schwermann, and his faithful companion, the great bear Hook Paw. One day, while they were sitting on a log, looking over the river, her dad started telling the story he had told her many times in the past, each time with a bit of a different flair.

Why, Katy, old Jeremiah could spit nails and pee kerosene. In fact, he even invented snowshoes, said her dad. He and that great bear, Hook Paw, were quite a pair. They would go through the woods and befriend all who they met. After a time, when the Indians finally figured out that they meant no harm, he was treated regally. But that wasn’t always the case.

Oh, Dad, you have told me that before, but I love it when you tell me and Beau about that wonderful man and the times in which he lived, said Katy.

Well, Katy, let’s start at the beginning. It was a long time ago when Jeremiah came out from the East to the mountains of the West. No one knows exactly when it was, but many think it was before the first rendezvous. He was a tall man with long red hair, the color of a carrot. His close friends called him ‘Red,’ but most just called him old Jeremiah.

The first year that Jeremiah was in the woods, he had little knowledge of how to take care of himself in the great outdoors. He was constantly being chased by hostile Indians, who didn’t know that he meant them no harm. They just thought that he was trespassing on their hunting grounds. As a result of this harassment, he was getting very good at hiding but not much else. He had a lot to learn.

One day, he was sitting by a fire, trying to figure out how to fix his moccasins. He had heard some noise in the bush, and because of his fear of the hostile Indians, he was very wary. He was just about to reach for his rifle when he saw a small boy peering at him from behind a tree. Jeremiah said to the boy, Hey, little guy, why not come out here and talk to me? I won’t bite.

The boy slowly emerged from the tree and was pointing a small bow and arrow at Jeremiah. He was very wary of the tall redheaded mountain man and wanted to take no chances.

Wait a minute, little feller, said Jeremiah as he raised his hands in the air. I mean you no harm and sure want none from you. He smiled broadly at the boy, who slowly lowered his weapon.

Who are you? asked the boy.

Well, some call me Jeremiah Schwermann, but my friends call me Red. And who might you be? said Jeremiah.

The little boy answered, My name is Falling Rock, and I live over the hill with my parents. You look a bit puzzled. Can I help you?

You certainly can. Do you know how to fix a moccasin? This one has a frightful hole in it. The mountain man held out his shoe and put a finger through the hole in the middle and wagged it.

Falling Rock laughed. I know my mother can fix that. Come with me, and we’ll see if she will help you.

They got up and went over the hill together, with the small boy in the lead. As they rounded the mountaintop, they saw a large valley with many tepees dotting the landscape. This was the home of Falling Rock and his tribe. When they came into camp, a great commotion resulted, for no one had been able to capture one of the great mountain men, much less a small boy. The camp was full of excitement when they realized that the little boy was not leading the man as a captured individual but as a friend. Falling Rock went directly to his parents’ tepee.

Father, Mother, I want you to meet my friend, Mr. Schwermann. He needs some help with his shoe.

Thank you for peacefully letting me into your camp. I mean you no harm but would certainly like to get this hole fixed. With that, he picked up his foot and took off his moccasin, placed his finger through the hole, and wagged it, all the while flashing that infectious smile on his face.

The camp erupted in laughter. Why, Mr. Schwermann, I’ll be glad to fix that for you, said Walkalewho, Falling Rock’s mother. Sit down, and take those off.

Jeremiah sat down and took off both moccasins. Walkalewho took them, went into the tepee, and came out with a brand-new pair, which were ornately decorated with bright, shiny beads. Here, try these on. I made them for Falling Rock’s grandpa, but he just passed away, she said.

Thank you for your kindness. I am sorry about the loss of your loved one.

Jeremiah tried on the shoes, and they fit perfectly. Then it was Falling Rock’s dad, Swift Deer, who next spoke. Mr. Schwermann, what are you doing here? he said.

Please call me Jeremiah, said the mountain man.

OK, Jeremiah, what are you doing here?

Well, I used to live in the east, where there were many people, and I got tired of the hustle and bustle, and I decided to come out here to the west. I planned to trap beaver and live off the land, but I have found that I seem to have little skill for this type of life. Seems I can’t even fix a hole in my shoe, said Jeremiah.

I am impressed with you and how you have become friends with my son. I would be happy to teach you all you need to know with the help of my son, said Swift Deer.

The little boy puffed his chest out and beamed, for his father had never shown such trust in him. Thanks, Father. I would be happy to assist you and might learn a few things myself.

The crowd laughed, for the little boy was acting like a grown-up man but was still very little. With that began a long and close friendship between Jeremiah, Falling Rock and his family, and the band of Indians with which he lived.

Jeremiah lived with the Indians for a few years. He learned to make weapons and clothes. He learned how to cook and use the wild fruits and vegetables to sustain him. While he was there, he continued to befriend the little boy, who was becoming a nice young brave. Each day, they would run into the woods, chasing deer and other animals to eat. They both got to the point where they could run all day and all night, and no one could outlast the two.

After a few years, Jeremiah went to the head of the tribe, who was also a fierce and wise warrior. He was known as Two Dogs. Two Dogs saw that Jeremiah had something on his mind, and he asked the mountain man into his tepee for a smoke. The Indians hadn’t figured out yet that smoking was very harmful and smoked their tobacco in ornately decorated long cylindrical pipes. The pipe was painted in red and blue and had colored leather and feathers wrapped around it in several places. It was beautiful. Two Dogs had made his pipe with his own hands and was very proud of it. It was with great respect and honor that he lit up the pipe and shared it with the mountain man, who had become his good friend.

What brings you to my tepee? asked the warrior. I can see from your face that something is bothering you.

Yes, said Jeremiah. I have really appreciated all the hospitality that you have shown me over the years but feel that I must be on my own for a while. I have learned well all the skills that you and your people have taught me, and I need to venture out on my own and make my own life.

I can surely understand that, my son, said Two Dogs. But I worry for you. There are many who would do you harm, and we can’t be in all places. Here, let me get you something.

With that, the chief went where his rucksack was and pulled out a beautifully carved piece of jade on a long blue leather thong. He went back to Jeremiah and placed it around his neck. Jeremiah, my good friend, this was given to me many moons ago by an old Spanish warrior. He had received it when he lived with the Incan Indians. After he left there and came here, I helped him one day after he had fallen from a cliff. I nurtured him to health. For my kindness, he gave me this stone, which has magical powers. It will keep you safe as you go on your journey. Take it, and remember that your other friends from this tribe and I will always welcome you and that you will always be a member of our tribe.

Jeremiah was stunned. He had heard of this shiny amulet, for there was no other like it in the world. It had magical powers and enabled its wearer to perform special feats that could be used in times of danger. Thank you so much for your great kindness. I would also like to offer you a gift. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the old gold watch that had been his father’s and his grandfather’s before that. It was the only thing that he had from his family, and he was proud to give it to his good friend. Two Dogs, you and your entire tribe have been so wonderful to me. I want you to have this watch that belonged to my father and grandfather. I can think of no more fitting gift for you, who has given me the skills for life and protection with this wonderful stone, said Jeremiah.

He placed it in Two Dog’s hand, hugged the chief, stood up, and walked out of the tepee. He had a tear in his eye and didn’t want the great chief to see his emotion. He knew that the Indians didn’t cry very often. In fact, the only time he had ever seen Two Dogs cry was at the birth of his beloved daughter, Walkaleahey.

After saying his good-byes to Falling Rock, Swift Deer, and Walkalewho, the great mountain man, Jeremiah Schwermann, saddled up his pony, mounted her, and slowly rode out of the camp. He was about to start on a new life filled with adventure. But who really knew what a great adventure that would be?

Jeremiah rode for days and days, always wary of his surroundings, for he was now in the land of the dreaded Brown Feet tribe. The Brown Feet were a fierce, warring tribe, who were not friendly to any strangers, much less wayward mountain men, who they viewed as trespassers.

One day, Jeremiah had been riding for a while and kept hearing a loud groan. As he rode north, the sound became louder and louder. As he approached a long valley, he could see a large lump of something at the far end. It must be very large, for he was several miles from it and could plainly see the large dark black mound. It sounded like the mound was groaning. As he rode across the valley and approached the mound, he saw that it was a very large and very black bear. It appeared as if the bear had been caught in a massive trap and was groaning and writhing in agony.

As Jeremiah approached, the bear saw him and rose on his back feet. Wow! This was the largest beast that Jeremiah had ever seen. He was taller than the redwood trees and as round as a whole grove. Grrrr! Who are you? said the bear, who, even though mortally wounded, looked like he could do great harm to the tiny human being.

Have no fear, friend, for I am here to help you.

"Help me? Help me? How can such a tiny creature help me?" roared the bear.

Jeremiah approached the bear and looked at the trap. He bent over, picked it up, moved it to his other hand, and tapped the amulet around his neck to the large metal jaws. The jaws immediately opened, freeing the large paw, which had been severely mangled.

The bear was immediately freed from the jaws and fell to the ground, holding his paw with the other. Oh thank you. I can never repay you.

There is no need to worry about repaying me, but you are in a terrible weak condition. How long have you been in that trap? asked Jeremiah.

I am not sure, but I think it has been about three weeks, said the bear.

Lie down, and I’ll try to fix it for you, said Jeremiah. He lay the bear down and made a pillow for his great head out of some soft moss. He built a large fire and put his cooking pot filled with water on the fire. He then went in search of some special plants that Walkalewho had said had healing powers. He found them and went back to the pot and cooked them into a broth. He then climbed on a rock so he could get high enough to feed the broth to the bear and had the bear drink. Immediately, the bear fell into a deep sleep for two weeks.

During the whole two weeks, the mountain man made a salve and