Tiny Tears Teardrop

By: Boyd Poole

 

 

Tiny could barely restrain the tears as he watched the happy raindrops feeding the flowers and plants in the garden. It must be wonderful being a raindrop, he thought, so useful and so well loved. Tiny did not like being a tear because  tears were always in the presence of grief, misery, and distress. His mother and father seemed happy enough, however, he couldn't understand why. They surely knew that they were tears and in knowing this, how was it possible to have a moment of peace or happiness?

 

"Why, Tiny", said Mrs. Teardrop, as she noticed his sad expression, "What's wrong?" She paused from her dusting as his silence brought more concern. "Tiny?" she spoke in a questioning tone of voice as she came to realize that his eyes were glossy. This was quite unusual for Tiny, who very seldom cried. She folded her dust cloth, still observing him. She walked over and sat beside him and placed his small hands in her hands. "Come on, baby," she said, "tell mommy all about it."

 

Tell her all about it, he thought, and he wanted to tell her about all the images in his mind that gave him no peace. He wanted to tell her of his contempt for tears and how he hated being a tear. However, how could he explain this to her and yet make her understand that he loved her? To him, she was the most beautiful and wonderful woman in the whole world. He also realized that it was not her fault that she was a tear. She, too, was an innocent victim condemned to suffer the burden or being a symbol of something hated by all others.

 

"I love you mommy", Tiny said, as he placed his head in her lap and it seemed as though he would cry. "I love you; I love you", he said. "Mommy knows, baby", she replied, "and mommy loves you very much too. She was trying to discover the cause of her son's unhappiness. She rubbed her fingers gently about in his hair and waited for him to speak. "I know, mommy", he said with much distress, "I know what a tear is; and it is ugly. It is very ugly", his voice was heavy and unsteady. He reached out for her shoulder and she placed her arms firmly about him. "My poor baby", she whispered, "my poor confused little baby."

 

Mrs. Teardrop wished that her husband were home. He would know how to handle this situation. Her little boy was at an emotional crisis and it required delicate handling. She didn't know where Tiny had gotten his misinformation; but she suspected that it was from neighbors, and this was very disturbing. Even more disturbing was the fact that she would have to defend herself and all teardrops to her very own little boy.

 

Mrs. Teardrop now felt that, somewhere along the way, she had failed as a mother. A few well chosen words, she thought, might ease the distress swelling in her son. However, she certainly could not overlook the harm that the wrong approach might do. "Tiny", she managed to say, "you are a little mixed up, baby, and mommy thinks that you should go to your room and have a good cry. Mommy will come in soon to see that you are better."

 

Tiny went to his room but he did no crying. He had never been much for crying and he wasn't about to start now. He realized that the only thing left to do was to run away to the sea and lose himself in the great dark waters. There, he believed, he would find peace.

 

He put a few things in a small bag and slid from his window. "Ouch", he heard from below as he dropped from his window. "Why don't you watch where you are jumping?" "Oh, Mr. Dewdrop", Tiny exclaimed, "I am very sorry: truly I am. I really didn't see you there." "Well", grunted Mr. Dewdrop, "I might well have known. You are a teardrop, aren't you? Sure, you are. I knew it when you pounced on me from that window. Heathen", he said in a rather quiet voice," Everywhere you tears go, so goes grief." He was shaking his head from side to side. "Worthless, good-for-nothing menace, that's what you are. Stand aside and let me pass", he said, and continued to mumble as he walked down the street.

 

Tiny watched Mr. Dewdrop wobble on down the street and silently admitted to himself that the little fat man was right in both instances. He should have been more careful jumping from the window and not fallen on him; and, in fact, he was a menace without real purpose. He would not be for long, however, if he could find his way to the sea.

 

Tiny walked a long way. In fact, he walked until he was tired and hungry and the fading sun began to cast huge shadows all about him and he became chilled and afraid. If he had known the way, he would have run home as fast as his little legs would carry him. But, alas, he was lost. At last he crawled on a nice comfortable leaf and went to sleep.

 

While Tiny slept, a gust of wind lifted the leaf into the air and the wind hurled the leaf for many miles and sat it down in a lovely garden. When awaken, Tiny began to walk about and look around him. He saw many raindrops busying themselves giving nourishment to the plants. Again, he felt envious.

 

"Hello there", a voice came from behind him. He turned to find a radiant little raindrop with a rather shocking expression on her face. "Hello", he said. "My name is Crystal Clearwater", she said. "What's yours?" "My name is Tiny T.", he said, "and I am on my way to the sea; do you know how to get there?" "Sure. I thought that everybody did. If you don't mind me saying so, you are a very odd looking raindrop, Tiny T. Where'd you come from?"  "I am not a raindrop", Tiny said. "I am a teardrop; however, you don't have to worry about me. As soon as a find my way, I shall continue my journey to the sea." "A teardrop?" she asked. "Yes, a teardrop." Tiny replied. "Well, Mr. Teardrop", Crystal said as she extended her hand, "I am very pleased to meet you." Tiny reached out his hand to meet her gentle grasp. "Don't you know what a tear is?" he asked. "No." she replied, But, I'll bet that we are related since we are both drops."

 

Tiny was hesitant as he cultivated the idea. Then he shook his head slowly, washing the thought from his mind. "No", he said. "I am sorry to say so, we are not related. I am not fit company for anyone; certainly, not a relative. So, please, show me the direction to the sea and I'll be on my way." Crystal looked shyly toward him. "You are hungry, aren't you?" she questioned. When he did not answer, she took him by the hand. "Come on", she said, "you're going to my house for dinner and maybe then we'll talk about the sea."  Tiny had the feeling, as he walked through the village garden, that something was wrong with every one he looked upon. It was a strong and sensational feeling and it was not absent from the lovely Crystal who was being so nice to him.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater welcomed Tiny to their home. Neither had ever seen a tear and Tiny was quite a marvel to them. After they had talked for awhile, a very strong sensation came over Tiny as he came to realize a very strange and obvious fact. Their eyes had no glow. They were dull with an almost wood-like tone. Even Crystal seemed un-alive about the eyes.  Tiny also had the feeling that something was missing from inside them. He noticed that their laughter was choked and stifled and their smiles were short and lacked expression.

 

Dinner had not been ready and they sat in the living room. "Tell us about yourself, Tiny", Mrs. Clearwater said, "how is it that you are not a raindrop or dewdrop? Are there many more like you someplace?" "Oh, yes", Tiny said, "millions and million, I guess." Well, where do you come from?" Mrs. Clearwater asked. "Don't question him so", Crystal insisted, "can't you see how very tired and troubled he is?"  "Oh, no", Tiny said, "I'm okay. My folks are originally from Tearsville. I don't know how far away it is as I don't know where I am. It is a very nice place. It is probably as nice as your lovely garden, except for the fact that so many tears are there." I was on my way to the sea and was somehow thrown off course and ended up here." "May I ask why you are going to the sea?" asked Mrs. Clearwater.

 

Tiny parted his lips as if he were going to speak, but he said nothing. "Oh, if you'd rather not say", she said, "please, do not feel embarrassed. It was not my intention to pry." "Thank you, Mrs. Clearwater", Tiny said, "it is not pleasant to speak of, but I'll tell you. I am not content being a tear and so I am going to the sea to lose myself in the great waters." "Oh, no!" exclaimed Crystal, "you can't possibly mean that. It is a terrible thing to even think of."

 

Mr. Clearwater had been quietly observing Tiny and Tiny was becoming a bit uneasy at their blank stares. "That is a very large burden for such a small boy to carry", Mr. Clearwater said, "but I am sure that you have your reasons." "Thank you, Mr. Clearwater", Tiny said. "I have very good reasons and I will share them with you.  You see, I am a bad thing. I am a tear and where ever I go ill fate seems to be present. Always, always, grief and anguish, always" it seemed as thought he would cry, "so, you see?" he said. "Nonsense", Mrs. Clearwater said, "where'd you ever get such ideas?" "It's true", Tiny said, "and that's why I do not want to linger in your house. I shall surely cause you grief or some misfortune."

 

As Tiny spoke he tried, without success, to not look into their blank eyes; and their eyes were fixed on his. What is the matter with their eyes, he thought. Then, as if she had read his mind, Crystal said, "Doesn't Tiny have the prettiest eyes?" "I really had noticed his eyes", said Mr. Clearwater, "They are the clearest I've ever seen. I think we have had enough talk about the sea and jinx for awhile, let's talk about your eyes. They are very well kept. What kind of solution do you use on them?" "Well kept?" Tiny questioned, "Solution? Why what on earth are you talking about?" "He only means that he wants to know the medication you use on your eyes", Crystal explained. "Medication?" Tiny again questioned, "Crystal, I use no medication on my eyes. I don't know what you mean."

 

The room became quiet as all the blank eyes just stared at Tiny. Finally Mr. Clearwater spoke, "I want you to know that this is a very serious matter for us, son. Especially now with my ailing mother-in- law, who rests in the bed room, about to lose her vision. I believe that your formula could be of benefit to her, however, it is your secret to share or not." "Please, Tiny", Crystal said, "please tell us. Can't you see that you have been sent here to help us?" "No", Tiny replied, "I am not sent here for anything and I have no formula." "Now listen", Mrs. Clearwater said, "the boy has told you that he has no formula; now leave him alone. He is troubled enough and does not need our burdens." "Thank you, mame." Tiny said. "I don't have a formula or any secret of any kind. I would be very happy if I could be of assistance to you."

 

When they sat down to dinner, Tiny realized that they had not believed him for he noticed that no one was eating but him. Their expressions seemed even blanker now as their life-less eyes all haunted him with piercing intensity. He wished that he had the formula or what ever it was they were talking about. But he had not and there was nothing he could do about it.

 

It had happened again. The curse of the tear had once again struck. Here Tiny was in the company that he loathed so much. This had been a happy little family until he came. However, he thought, he had not asked to come and it really was not his fault that he doesn't know magic formula. He endured the gaze of their goggled eyes as long as he could and then he slowly got up from the table. No one spoke.

 

Tiny looked toward Crystal and it seemed that she was crying. Was she crying? he thought. He looked closer and realized that she was not crying. Of course she wasn't, how could she? Now Tiny was beginning to understand the problem. "Mr. Clearwater", Tiny said, "can you tell me about your eye formula?" "Well", said Mr. Clearwater, "there isn't really that much to tell." He took a little bottle from his pocket and showed it to Tiny. "This is it", he said. "It is the normal eye medication and with frequent baths, it is effective up to a point. I believe that yours is far superior to ours and I am very interested in it."

 

Tiny leaped into the air. "I know the secret", he shouted, surprising even himself, as tears rolled down his face. He took Crystal by the hand and danced around in circles. "I know the secret", he repeated, "my mother told me just before I ran away but I just didn't understand. Have a good cry is what she said to me. Do you understand? Have a good cry. Of course, you don't understand. How could you? Take me to your grandmother so I can see if I am right."

 

The old lady lay in bed in a non-peaceful sleep. Tiny leaned over and allowed tears to fall from his eyes onto her eyelids. When she opened her eyes the tears entered and immediately you could see strain leave her face. Her eyes began to become glossy just as Tiny's were and for the first time in her life she was crying and it was soothing to her. Tiny watched the strain and tension ease from her face as the Clearwaters looked on in disbelief. "A miracle", said Mr. Clearwater in no more than a whisper and then in a much louder voice he said, "This is a miracle."

 

Tiny never knew that anyone could be as happy as he was at this moment. He directed the Clearwaters to allow tears to fall into their eyes and knew that the tears would be a permanent and automatic lubricant for them. They would also serve as a comforter to help relieve stress and strain which had, up to now, clogged their emotions. It was wonderful to watch the strain and tension drain from their faces. Tiny now knew that he was not a symbol or a cause of grief but rather a comforter in times of sorrow. Sure, he was the one who accepted the burden of relieving stress from agony and pain. These thoughts filled Tiny with joy.

 

Tiny saw his very own wonderment spread throughout the village as tears were passed from one to another adding new life as it moved. Soon the "miracle" had been accepted and the excitement had subsided into true laughter and gay expressions. Tiny and the Clearwaters were again in the Clearwater's living room. They were all joyful by the change that had come upon them.

 

"Tiny", Crystal said, "you're wonderful, just wonderful." "Ask anything, Tiny Teardrop", said Mr. Clearwater with a huge smile, "and if it is worldly possible, it shall be yours." Mrs. Clearwater couldn't speak. She was sitting mirror in hand and her eyes fixed in it. Each time she started to speak, she would begin crying again. They all knew that she was very happy.

 

"You owe me nothing", Tiny finally said, "nothing at all. I owe you more than you will ever know. You helped me to find myself and I shall be eternally in your debt. If you could, please help me to find my way home for I know that my parents are very worried." "Oh, that's wonderful", Crystal said.  "I, too, am pleased with your decision to return home", said Mr. Clearwater, "I was sure all along that would be your ultimate decision. We, of course, would love to have you stay with us. However, if you promise to come back to visit us real soon, I will ask my friend, Gentle Breeze, to deliver you safely home."

 

Tiny agreed and after many affectionate well wishes, he was given a grand send-off and placed in the care of Gentle Breeze, who carried him safely back to his home.

 

 

                                          The End