Heart Tales is published by Jim Cyr, an American Baptist minister, crisis intervention specialist, and storyteller

Irving was a bus driver in a big city. On a sultry late-June morning he stopped his bus at Lexington and 5th. A little old lady carrying a bag of groceries boarded the bus, fumbled around in her purse for her money, and finally came up with the fare which she handed to Irving with a smile.

At the stop on Alexander Blvd. a smartly dressed man in a grey pin-striped business suit hopped on the bus and quickly handed Irving his fare. Then the young executive sat down next to the little old lady, slightly squishing her bag of groceries.

On Washington Ave. a young couple holding hands flagged down the bus and floated through the door barely giving Irving a glance as they paid the fare and snuggled into a seat two spots down from the business man.

A few blocks later Irving stopped his bus in front of Joe’s Bar and Grill. Through the door came a man standing six-feet-eight- inches tall. He was built like a wrestler with arms like tree limbs. The giant of a man scrunched down to board the bus, glared down at Irving and grumbled, “Big John doesn’t pay!” The bus rocked slightly from side to side as Big John made his way to the back of the bus. Skinny, five-foot-three-inch tall, bespectacled Irving didn’t argue with Big John. But he was not happy. “Who does that guy think he is not paying for his fare?” thought Irving as he pulled away from the curb.

The next morning, as Irving’s bus approached Joe’s Bar and Grill, there was Big John again, flagging down the bus. Irving opened the door. Big John scrunched into the bus, scowled at Irving and said, “Big John doesn’t pay!” That night Irving tossed and turned in bed as he thought of Big John sitting in the back of his bus.

On Friday morning Big John got on the bus again in front of Joe’s Bar and Grill. Irving scowled up at Big John. Big John frowned down at Irving. “Big John doesn’t pay!” bellowed the giant as he tramped to his usual seat at the back of the bus.

Friday night as Irving tossed and turned again he fell into a fitful sleep. He dreamed he was pumped up from head to toe with bulging muscles and kicking butt in a karate class.

Saturday morning Irving awoke with a smile on his face. He got up, dressed in his sweat suit, and trotted three blocks down the street to Bruno’s Gym where he took out a membership.

Every night after his bus run Irving went to Bruno’s Gym. He pumped iron. He learned karate. He took a class on building self-esteem and ran two pens dry taking notes. Irving replaced his glasses with new contacts. By the end of the summer Irving was still only five-feet-three inches tall but he was muscular and feeling very confident.

On the Monday morning after his two week vacation at the health spa, Irving pulled up in front of Joe’s Bar and Grill to let Big John on his bus. Big John grabbed the hand rail and pulled his massive frame into the bus. Standing over Irving he chanted his customary mantra, “Big John doesn’t pay!”

But this time Irving was ready. This time Irving stood up from his driver’s seat, rested his chin on Big John’s belly, glared up into Big John’s face and demanded, “And why not?!!”

With a look of surprise Big John stepped back a bit, reached slowly into his pocket and…pulling out a green ticket said meekly, “Big John has a bus pass.”

What are you afraid of? How do you handle fear?

“Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”

—Actor John Wayne (1907–1979)

A simple prayer: “God I am afraid of (fill in the blank). Please help me face my fear. Amen.

Spontaneous Story Combustion Parties.™ You supply the people, place and refreshments. I supply the ingredients for spontaneous story making and lots of fun! Book a Spontaneous Story Combustion Party by July 1 and mention this newsletter. Receive $10 discount!”

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