Winnie's+Journal

Hi Journal, I'll tell you all about what happened. First, I was talking to a toad. Now that I think about it, I was so weird! Anyway, I told him that I wanted to run away, so I did. I ran away to Treegap wood, my wood, and it was just such a blur! I hardly know what happened. I met this wonderful boy named Jesse. He told me he was one hundred and four years old! Of course I didn't believe him so he told me he was seventeen. My throat was awfully like a desert when I saw the spring and asked Jesse if I could drink some water. He acted crazy. Then I was kidnapped by his family. I had no idea why, but they did. We saw the man in the yellow suit on the way. I personally think something is wrong with that guy. He might be a stalker. He came to my house and now he was following me! I could have yelled for help, though. I got scared when we settled. I ended up crying my eyes out. Then I heard the music I heard the night before. It was actually Jesse's mom's music box. I still have to tell Granny it wasn't elves. When we got to sit down, Jesse and his brother, Miles, and his mom, Mae, told me about the spring. It turns out it makes you live forever. That is why Jesse said he was one hundred and four! He was actually telling the truth. I got pretty comfortable with them after awhile. Finally, I went to their house. I was having a great time with them. I noticed that their house was in disarray. At least it wasn't as strict and straight as mine. It was pretty comfortable. I also had a talk with Angus Tuck, Jesse's father. I felt so comfortable!!!!!! I just wish I could tell somebody about the spring. - Winnie-

Hi Journal, After I spent time looking at their house, I actually spent time in their house. I ate supper with them. It was pretty tasty! Mm mm.... flapjacks, bacon, bread, and applesauce. It seemed like breakfast. I observed how the Tucks ate and if they had any rules. Nope, not any rules yet, but maybe...YEAH! I figured one out! The Tucks did not talk to each other whatsoever during supper. I thought about their house and I noticed that I didn't feel comfortable at all, sleeping in someone else's bed. I had never even come outside of my fence before! Until now, obviously. So right then and there, I said that I wanted to go home. They promised me, but they said first, they have to explain to me why the secret is important not to tell. We talked about how nobody was there when we passed the wood. Then Mae mentioned the man I saw yesterday. Now that I thought about him, he was actually pretty nice to me. I don't know much about him, though. He could even be my savior. He is probably on his way, right now, to my house. He will tell my dad about it. Then, I will be saved. Miles then said that he will take me for a row after supper and Jesse said he would take me because he is the one who found me. Finally, //Tuck// decided to take me. Boy, I wonder when I will get home. -Winnie-

Hi Journal, I finally went to the pond with Angus Tuck. We had a pretty long conversation. He talked about how life is like a wheel. At first, I didn't understand him. Then, when he got more into it, I got the hang of it; I knew what he was saying. He was saying that life goes on and spins like a wheel, and people are a part of it. When he said that he was no longer part of the wheel because of the spring, I said that I wouldn't want to die. Of course nobody wants to die except maybe,Tuck, but he said that dying is part of life and the world. I guess he meant that I should much rather be part of the real world than be like him. He told me that if he could get a chance to be part of the wheel again, he would but he cannot. I also tried to imagine people at the same age forever because Tuck told me to. I really want to live forever, but Angus was saying that I would not if I actually try it myself. Who should I listen to? Myself, someone who I know the best in my life? Or Angus Tuck, someone I met a few hours ago? Strange things are happening Journal, strange things. -Winnie-

Hi Journal, Somebody stole the horse! I don't know who Journal, that is the question. The Tucks talked about quickly while I listened. I had to sleep on a weird, lumpy couch that smelled like old newspapers and the pillow wasn't comfortable either. I couldn't sleep. I was too busy thinking about how the spring doesn't really make you live forever. It is nonsense. It really is, isn't it? It has to be! I was also so confused about their actions. They are criminals, but they actually want me to be comfortable. Does that make sense? First, Mae came to me and asked me if I was okay. Then, Angus came and asked me if I would holler when I need something. He said that I'm probably not used to sleeping on the couch. He said that if his was better, he would trade with me, but it wasn't better. Finally, Jesse came along and told me his idea he was thinking about. He wanted me to wait 'till I was seventeen and then drink the spring. He said that when I drink it, we could go away and get married! I didn't know what to say! Jesse said that Mae, Miles, and Tuck don't know how to enjoy life. He was amazing! I was struck! I couldn't do any thing so I just stared. It was such a remarkable thing he thought of. Jesse went and then I fell asleep. -Winnie-

Hi Journal, Wow! When I heard a sound after I woke up, I was sure that it was Jesse, but it wasn't. It was Miles. He told me he was going to go and catch fish for breakfast and I could help. So we went to the boat and I climbed in carefully, making no noise at all. I could see tiny brown fish in the clear water. They were going to take me home today. Yes, home sweet home. I realized that I actually loved this peculiar Tuck family. They are my friends. Miles asked me if I slept well and if I ever went fishing before. I answered those questions and we went on fishing. Miles told me where the trout were going to be. Then I waited for him to give me the fishing rod and while I waited, I observed him. His face seemed like Jesse's. His arms were more muscled and broad and his fingers were black and thick. He told me that he had two children. One was a girl named Anna. He was dreaming how sweet she was. Miles told me that she would almost be eighty now. His son would be eighty- two. Why didn't he just tell them about the spring? I asked him that and he said it was too peculiar and it wouldn't work out well because the kids were already grown. Finally, I got the fishing rod and began to fish. I noticed that there are a lot of frogs there. Miles said that if turtles come, they try to eat the frogs. I wish nothing had to die. Guess what Journal?? I caught a fish! I didn't know what to do with it and I felt the fish let go of the hook. Oh well. When Miles was fishing, I thought about everything living forever. Like mosquitoes. I hate mosquitoes! I made up my mind that I going to keep the secret. When Miles finally caught a fish, I was excited, but I sort of felt bad for the fish. I saw to color in its eyes disappear. Then I really got sad! I told Miles to put it back quickly and he did. I was scared and I think Miles knew I was scared, too. I asked if it would be alright and thankfully, he said yes. I hope to never kill a fish! -Winnie-

Hi Journal, I was eating breakfast with the Tucks and we were eating flapjacks again because I didn't want Miles killing fish. It was really yummy, though. I didn't hesitate when I looked at the syrup on my fingers. I just went right on and slurped it off! I decided I love the Tuck family! I wish I could stay with them forever! To tell the truth, Journal, I really think Tuck is the Dearest of them all. I'm sure of it! They will take me home today, but I want to stay! Tuck is worried because we don't have a horse to ride on. I have something enormous to tell you, Journal!!! Everybody stopped when we heard a knock on the door. Mae got it and it turned out to be the stranger! The man in the yellow suit! The yellow guy! He came and told a surprising story! He told us that his grandmother had a friend who stayed at his house for a few days. She told his grandma that she had a husband who didn't grow older at all! She grew, but he didn't. He said she had two children about the same age. One girl, one boy and the girl's name was Anna! That means... the man they were talking about is Miles! Anyway, he said she found out the whole family was like that. Then, he said he has been looking for that family, the Tucks! And now, here he is. He found them, and me! Now everything is falling into place! He first came to my house and said he was looking for a family. The Tucks! Oh boy, Journal, I don't think I can take this any more! -Winnie-

Hi Journal, You will never ever ever guess what I just went through! Okay... it can barely come out of my mouth... whew. You know the man in the yellow suit, he told us more! he told us that we were going to sell the water from the spring! I cannot believe it! Tuck was yelling now, and he was so angry! He told the Tucks that they could help him sell and advertise. Now, everyone was yelling! Everyone was erupting! Tuck called him a madman and then the stranger said he was taking me with him, back home! So I yelled out that I didn't want to go with him! I HATE him now!! The Tucks are my very true friends. Mae tried to stop him from taking me. he asked the Tucks why they were so upset. He called them stupid because they didn't do what he did now. That comment really ticked Mae off. She did something so surprising that really showed her mood. She hit the stranger with Tucks gun! He fell right to the floor! He didn't die, but he was probably unconscious. The constable asked us a few questions. He asked why Mae hit him. She said that she was saving me and he said that she is the one that kidnapped me. Then right out of nowhere, I said that I wanted to come here and that is why I was here. The constable said he has to take Mae to jail and if the man in the yellow suit dies, she would go to the gallows! He also said I have to come with him to go home. Tuck was so sad about everything. He was speechless. All he could say was, " Gallows?". I never ever said something like this, but I said to him, " Everything will be alright." He repeated it to himself. Then I was off, thinking about Mae, how she would be and the gallows. Even if Mae goes to the gallows, nothing will happen and she will live forever. -Winnie-

Hi Journal, I finally got home! I'm glad to be home,but I still like the Tucks. Guess what??! I was not asleep yet, but I sort of peeked outside of my room. The constable came to our house and said that the man in the yellow suit died!!! Oh my word, I can't let the constable hang Mae! It would ruin everything! So I thought and thought of what to do. I can't do anything! I just can't let Mae go to the gallows! The next day, I went to the fence and saw the exact same toad! It looked thirsty so I told my grandma that I'm getting a bowl of water for the toad. I told her it was a good toad and we finally got the bowl. We came out and it was gone!! I was sort of disappointed and closed my eyes when my name was called by Jesse! He told me that he is going to try to save Mae with Miles's plan. I heard the plan and asked if I could help. I really needed to. Jesse told me that he came to say goodbye. He might not see me again. Then he reminded me about the "seventeen" thing and gave me a bottle of the spring water. I could keep it forever. I don't know about this. What should I do? We decided to meet out by the fence again at midnight to work out the plan. I sure hope it works. -Winnie-

Hi Journal, Here is the whole thing starting...NOW! I was in my rocker by the window just waiting. You know what I was waiting for, right? I heard the grandfather clock ticking and I was rocking to its beat. I couldn't concentrate on doing anything. After supper, the sky outside was changing. I couldn't breathe very well because of the air. It seemed heavier. I came into the house and said that I think it is going to rain. Early bedtime it was for everyone. Grandmother said out loud her feelings about the week. When I went to my room, there were two hours to spare until midnight. I tried to do many things, but most of the time, I was worrying about the plan Miles had made. Before I knew it, I was thinking about the Tucks and fell asleep. I awoke and took a look at the clock. I was relieved- it was five minutes to midnight. I left the house so easily. It was shocking to me that I could do such a thing. I went out to the fence, meeting Jesse. We both ran off, saying nothing to each other. We ran past other cottages, and the center of the village. We finally past the gallows like and "L"' upside down. We met Tuck and Miles. Miles squeezed me and Tuck hugged me tight. When we crept behind the building, I looked at the jail cell and suddenly a rhyme was repeating itself in my head: Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage. There was a thunderstorm. Lightning and thunder kept coming. Finally, Miles was standing on a box with tools and I was holding tight onto Jesse's hand. Miles kept getting the nails out. One screeched and he had to put more oil on so it would be quiet. We all heard the constable come and Miles ducked down. The constable went and Miles kept taking the nails out. He finally finished and tried to pull the window out.At first, the window wouldn't budge when Miles pulled on it. Of course, he had to wait for thunder until he did it because it would make a lot of noise. It was free and Mae tried to come out. I was so worried that the plan would not have worked. I worried about Mae- what if she couldn't fit through the window? Tuck was helping her get out and luckily, she got out! I felt my nose have the first drop of rain. I couldn't tell if they were tears or rain on Mae and Tuck's face. Everyone kissed me and I did back. Jesse hugged me tight and said to me," Remember!" I still didn't know what to decide. I still have seven years, though. Miles lifted me into the cell and I plopped onto the cot. All the tension I had disappeared. All my muscles loosened. I was so tired! Then I pulled myself up so I could see through the bars. The yard was empty and I thought I could hear Mae's tinkling melody from the music box. That was it, I saw the last of them. My good friends were now off, and gone. -Winnie-

Hi Journal, I was in my yard, sitting cross-legged thinking about things two weeks after I met the Tucks. I thought about what happened after Mae escaped, in the jail cell. It was still night time and I heard a crash. When the constable was taking me home, I noticed that the gallows had blown away! I was sitting in the cot, and I hear whistling. Yup, this was the moment. I saw the constable stop whistling and then he turned red. I could really tell that he was angry. I was a criminal. Why wouldn't I be? I helped a murderer escape! The constable told me that if I were older, I would have to stay in jail because I was an accomplice. When I came home, my parents were asking me questions. " Why did you do such a thing?" I only sobbed and told that I had to do it because the Tucks were my good friends. A lot of kids came and talked to me. They thought it was cool- what I did. That was a long week. I was still sitting and then, the toad appeared! My toad! It was on my side of the road, too, but then a dog came and tried to attack my toad! I was holding the toad in my hands before I knew it. Gross! I wiped it on my dress and actually thought of the feel and liked it! I told that dog to leave the toad alone because it is mine! That dog actually deserves it! I remembered the bottle of spring water that Jesse gave me! I poured all of it on the toad and said that he is safe forever! In case I ever needed the water, there was always more in the wood. A long time after that, I decided not to drink the spring. I didn't want to live forever. So, I married someone else and now my real, full name is Winnie Foster Jackson. I also had children and now I am in my 70s. The whole wood burned down. They had to bulldoze it out because the giant ash tree was caught by lightning. I still lived a long life. That was so long ago-when I met the Tucks. It was 68 years ago. And I never even got to see the Tucks again. Not once. I miss the Tucks. Well, that was long ago so now I have to move on. OK? I just have to. -Winnie Foster Jackson-