Jehoshaphat Maris
is married to Wandalena Maris
and they have a handsome young son, Matthew Maris,
who for some reason, always has something
disturbing on his mind, because
as a young boy he is always crying
that is, until...
he sees a little horse in a picture
and a small horse in the window at the
general store.
And each time he sees a horse he would stop crying,
and start smiling!
So one day he tells his Mom and Dad,
"Mom, Dad, can I have that one
horse-y
over there?"
And Mr. and Mrs. Maris are so glad to see
their son happy about something...anything...that
they finally get Matthew a little horse about his size
that could even do the "Moon Walk" before it was invented!
and Matthew likes to have fun times
with his friends and his ponys...
but when Matthew gets older, he gets real good
with horses, and he can even break and train
the wild ones...in no time at all!
And people would come from miles around
just to have Matthew train their horses.
But, Matthew also likes the life in the natural woods.
Like, he would see all kinds of flora and fauna,
and his favorite deer
that he calls, "Cookie," was named that because it would always eat some crumbs
that Matthew put down for it.
And he likes
birds, too!
And, oh yes, the horses
always like to go strolling with Matthew, especially
in the snow!
And Matthew has a girl who likes him
that lives close by, and she has a
pretty mare!...
But Matthew's parents tell him not get too
close to her because...she's too forward!
Well, anyways, one day a guy
comes up to Matthew while he's walking his horses,
and asks,
Matthew, young man!...My name's Revere,
Paul Revere...can I talk to you?...
...Two soldiers and I
are going to need three of your best horses
to ride fast and warn our brother soldiers
about the invading British Army!"
And Matthew responds, "Well, hello there, Sir...
...but before anything happens to my horses,
I'ma need
to talk to my Dad!"
"That's fine,
young lad!"
So they go and talk to Matthew's Dad,
Jehoshaphat Maris, and Mr. Maris gives
quick consent...
"Matthew, this upcoming war is the real thing...
...let's give him our best horses,
Midnight, Sofie, and, I hate to say it...your favorite here,
Boo Boo!"
"Not Boo Boo, Dad!" says Matthew,
"He's the fastest and the best!"
"And he's going to help us win the war!...Matthew,
you know that these horses will do their jobs, and
they can always find their ways back home
right after!...Here, Mr. Revere...and Godspeed!"
Now Matthew runs up to Boo Boo...and says,
"Boo Boo, make us proud...and come back...ya hear?!"
Then immediately, Boo Boo rears up like he's
proud to serve!
But all of a sudden, Sofie, sensing something's up, bolts
straight to the deep woods!
Now, Mr. Maris apologizes to Mr. Revere, and says,
"There's no catching that horse Sofie anytime soon,
but we'll get you Socrates! He won't let you down!"
"Well, thank you Mr. Maris and Matthew for your
contributions to the Revolutionary effort!
I'll let my superiors know about your valuable contributions!"
Then, Mr. Paul Revere strides away with the horses.
And that night, Matthew, of course, dreams about the horses...especially
Boo Boo!
Now, Mr. Revere walks in an office and sees this Patriot
Dr. Joseph Warren, and Paul Revere
who is also a part-time Dentist,
says, "Dr. Warren, let's take a short walk...
I need to update you!"
So they take a walk
and Mr. Revere says, I've got the absolute
best horses in all of our land...we're
ready to go anytime you say!"
And Dr. Warren responds, "My spies say that
the British are about to break their siege, and cross the Charles
River and head on up to Lexington and Concord
where our weapons are stored,
and they want to arrest our vociferous brothers Samuel Adams
and John
Hancock!
I need you, along with William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott
to alert our people and stop that!
You three are to depart in the early night today, April 18th...
post haste...because...there's no time to waste!"
"Yes, Sir," salutes Paul Revere, as he leaves to
start his clandestine, and very important mission!
So, Paul Revere contacts William Dawes
and Samuel Prescott
and the three Night Riders plan their mission with various routes,
to get from Boston to Lexington and Concord,
where hundreds of
our muskets and other weapons
are stashed for military defense."
But Paul Revere, wouldn't you know it...after
making it part of the way on his horse...Midnight,
was caught
and William Dawes, bravely pacing Socrates,
was able to warn some people also, but
ultimately had his trip cut short, too!
However, Samuel Prescott, on top of his sturdy
and long-winded steed Boo Boo,
eluded the competition
and finally made it
to Lexington
and Concord.
So, now, with that advance notice, the American Patriots
became armed and ready, and they had a fighting chance
to meet against the oncoming Redcoats...and with those skirmishes
in and about Lexington and Concord, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired,
and now, it was, as they say,
"on and crackin'!"
Some battles after that, we won, and some we lost...
but the tide really turned our way when
General George Washington and the Continental Army came
and fought for our eventual Independence!
And as with many things in this world, the little guys
get minor mention
but provide the backbone of the biggest advantage!
So, This 4th
I say...
"Well done, Soldiers,
Patriots
...and Horse Trainers Jehoshaphat and Matthew Maris,
and Midnight, Socrates and, especially...
...my one and only...Boo Boo!"
For all Photos and Gifs seen here, no copyright infringement is intended.
By Ralph C. Winge, D.D.S. USC Dental School
