| [00:54.84] |
I was on the outskirts of a little southern town, |
| [00:58.53] |
Trying to reach my destination before the sun went down. |
| [01:03.01] |
The old CB was blaring away on channel one-nine, |
| [01:07.59] |
When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line. |
| [01:11.67] |
And he said, "Breaker, one-nine, is anyone there? |
| [01:16.39] |
Come on back, truckers, and talk to Teddy Bear." |
| [01:20.84] |
Well, I keyed the mike and I said, "You got it,Teddy Bear." |
| [01:26.19] |
And the little boy's voice came back on the air. |
| [01:29.80] |
"Preciate the break. Who we got on that end?" |
| [01:33.51] |
I told him my handle, and then he began: |
| [01:37.27] |
"Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellas out there, |
| [01:41.92] |
Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air. |
| [01:46.28] |
But, you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk, |
| [01:51.25] |
'Cause that's about all I can do. I'm crippled and I can't walk." |
| [01:58.33] |
I came back and told him to fire up that mike, |
| [02:02.00] |
And I'd talk to him as long as he'd like. |
| [02:05.75] |
"This was my dad's radio," the little boy said, |
| [02:08.61] |
"But I guess it's mine and Mom's now 'cause my daddy's dead. |
| [02:14.69] |
Dad had a wreck about a month ago. |
| [02:17.97] |
He was trying to get home in a blinding snow. |
| [02:24.00] |
Mom has to work now to make ends meet, |
| [02:27.82] |
And I'm not much help with my two crippled feet. |
| [02:33.66] |
She says not to worry, that we'll make it all right, |
| [02:37.67] |
But I hear her crying sometimes late at night. |
| [02:42.63] |
You know, there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see. |
| [02:48.84] |
Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me, a little crippled boy. |
| [02:54.15] |
But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home, |
| [03:01.83] |
But I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone." |
| [03:07.23] |
Not one breaker came on the old CB, |
| [03:11.00] |
As that little crippled boy talked with me. |
| [03:14.56] |
I tried hard to swallow, the lump just wouldn't stay down. |
| [03:19.72] |
As I thought about my boy back in Greenville town. |
| [03:24.76] |
"Dad was gonna take Mom and me with him later on this year." |
| [03:27.95] |
Why, I remember him saying, "Someday this old truck'll be yours, Teddy Bear." |
| [03:34.15] |
But I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again, |
| [03:38.30] |
But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends. |
| [03:43.96] |
Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone, |
| [03:47.83] |
'Cause it's about time for Mom to come home. |
| [03:51.13] |
But you give me a shout when you're passing through, |
| [03:54.31] |
And I'll sure be happy to come back to you." |
| [03:58.40] |
Well, I came back and I said, "Before you go ten-ten, |
| [04:02.93] |
What's your home-twenty, little CB friend?" |
| [04:07.60] |
Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate, |
| [04:12.17] |
'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait. |
| [04:17.90] |
I turned that truck around on a dime, |
| [04:20.96] |
And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229. |
| [04:25.93] |
And as I rounded the corner, oh, I got one heck of a shock-- |
| [04:30.16] |
Eighteen-wheelers were lined up for three city blocks! |
| [04:34.67] |
Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call, |
| [04:39.61] |
And that little crippled boy was having a ball. |
| [04:43.50] |
For as fast as one driver would carry him in, |
| [04:46.62] |
Another would carry him to his truck and take off again. |
| [04:50.17] |
Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear. |
| [04:55.62] |
Ah I mean giving a ride to Teddy Bear |
| [05:00.91] |
And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair. |
| [05:05.93] |
And, buddy, if I never live to see happiness again, |
| [05:09.35] |
I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man. |
| [05:15.18] |
We took up a collection for him before his mama got home, |
| [05:18.70] |
And each driver said goodbye and then they were all gone. |
| [05:24.02] |
He shook my hand with a mile-long grin, |
| [05:26.94] |
And said, "So long, trucker, I'll catch you again!" |
| [05:31.61] |
Well, I hit the interstate with tears in my eyes, |
| [05:36.05] |
I turned on the radio and I got another surprise. |
| [05:40.33] |
"Breaker, one-nine," came a voice on the air, |
| [05:44.03] |
"Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear. |
| [05:49.27] |
We wish each and every one a special prayer for you, |
| [05:53.98] |
'Cause you just made my little boy's dream come true. |
| [05:58.25] |
I'll sign off now before I start to cry. |
| [06:02.04] |
May God ride with you. Ten-four, and goodbye." |
