MARGUERITA’S SECRET DIARY

By Tom Smith

MARGUERITA

One morning, a terrible storm raged and blew. Hearth Girl was scared, but she knew she had to be brave. When the storm was over, she looked out the window and saw a very strange looking woman.

OLD WOMAN

Oh, woe the while! Who kin hilp me? Who kin hilp me? Oh!

HEARTH GIRL

What is it, old woman?

OLD WOMAN

I’m the Ol’ Woman of the Mountains. I done lived in these hills fer more’n 70 yars. I done alwiys raised m’own food, and kipt m’own house. But the storm’s done a-chased ‘way m’animals, and drowned the vegetables in m’garden. Hit hus tore the roof off’n m’cabin, and flooded m’home. Surely I will perish less’n ya kin hilp me. Oh!

HEARTH GIRL

Me? But what can I do?

OLD WOMAN

Might ya got some extry food fer a pore ol’ woman?

HEARTH GIRL

I have no garden, nor any animals. Only some roots and herbs with which I make soup. But you may take what I have if you like.

OLD WOMAN

I’m too ol’ t’carry hany herbs or roots, and I’m too ol’ t’cook ‘em. Might’n I stay with ya in yore warm cabin fer a while? Hit looks as if ya have room’n food ‘nuff fer two…

HEARTH GIRL

But the bed and soup are for my father. He will be returning soon. And I want to make sure he has a warm meal and a comfortable bed when he comes back.

OLD WOMAN

But I’ll starve! Ya mus hilp me. Please!

MARGUERITA

Hearth Girl thought for a moment, but she knew in her heart what the right thing to do was.

HEARTH GIRL

You may stay with me until my father returns. Then he will build you a new home, and help you to replant your garden, and make a corral for your animals.

OLD WOMAN

Y’ar a kind and good soul. I’ll never ferget this.

MARGUERITA

And with that the Old Woman of the Mountain settled into Hearth Girl’s cabin. Hearth Girl finished her chores early that day and prepared a small feast of soup and bread. The Old Woman of the Mountain told stories and Hearth Girl sang songs until finally the Old Woman went to sleep. As she went to sleep herself, Hearth Girl knew she had done the right thing by allowing the helpless woman to stay with her. The next morning…

HEARTH GIRL

Oh, Father where have you gone?

Oh, Father where have you gone?

The sun it is rising

The night’s gone away

Will I see you again

Tomorrow, today?

Oh, Father, where have you gone?

OLD WOMAN

Whut’s that song? Hit hus waken me frum m’sleep!

HEARTH GIRL

It is a song I sing every morning. It’s a wish for my father’s return.

OLD WOMAN

I’m an ol’ woman what done needs her sleep. And I kinnot sleep with ya singin. Ya mus not sing agin!

HEARTH GIRL

But…

OLD WOMAN

Now that I’m awake, I got me an awful hunger. Make me sumptin t’eat. (pause) Whut cha waitin fer! Now!

HEARTH GIRL

Yes, Old Woman.

MARGUERITA

Winter came, and Hearth Girl’s father had still not returned home.

HEARTH GIRL

(very softly)

Oh, Father where have you gone?

Oh, Father where have you… gone… (Old Woman enters. Glares.) Sorry.

OLD WOMAN

Hit is so col’ in this cabin. Ya mus make a bigger fire. Go out and git more firewood.

HEARTH GIRL

But I have only cut enough for one small fire every day. There is only enough wood to survive the winter.

OLD WOMAN

I’m a-freezing! I needa bigger fire! If thyar’s no more firewood, then ya mus go out and cut more! Now go! I’m an ol’ woman. If I freeze t’death hit will be all yore fault!