Rudy's Story

Rudy's Story

Rudy loved blizzards. That's when his four-by-four really performed. He felt like a king, high up in the truck's cab, towering in his throne atop massive knobby tires. Bright fog lights turned night into day, and insatiable snow chains churned and crunched and chewed as Rudy drove to work. He could feel the engine rumbling through the seat and into his stomach. It felt like power. Yes, Rudy really loved blizzards.

He wrestled against deep snow that smothered the road like waves of a frozen ocean. Universal Delivery Service expected him to show up and sort Christmas packages, and by golly, he was going to be there. In his truck, Rudy was Emperor, but at work he was the lowest. Besides being the new guy, he was small, and unable to load packages or move heavy boxes. Nobody paid him any attention. During breaks, the delivery guys played cards and Scrabble. But they wouldn't even say hello to Rudy, or let him play any of their games. So Rudy just sorted.

Suddenly, the boss huffed into the warehouse, obviously worried. "We can't deliver these packages!" He was yelling to the foreman and pointing to stacks of boxes. "The storm is just too thick. None of our stereotypical brown trucks can get through! We're doomed!"

Rudy watched the men panic. He could see the foreman shaking his head, obviously out of ideas. For all their hard work and determination, it looked as though the storm had won. There would be children without presents. Christmas was in peril.

Rudy had an idea. He rushed over to the boss and foreman to explain.

"You're a sorter, Rudy." The foreman scoffed, "How could you possibly help?"

"My truck," Rudy said, "it could make it through the storm!" The men listened. "I could cut a path through the snow, and provide lights for the other trucks to follow."

"It'll never work," the foreman said.

"I know I can do it." Rudy was confident. "I can ensure the presents get delivered. And I can get the fleet safely home." The men thought, and nodded slowly.

Then, at the risk of sounding corny, the boss asked him, "Rudy with your fog lights bright, won't you guide our trucks tonight?"

"Just load up, get in line, and watch me fly!" Rudy exclaimed.

All the delivery guys pitched in and loaded presents. They formed a caravan and followed Rudy as his truck pierced the snowy night. Wind shook Rudy's truck, but he kept going forward. The others struggled, but managed to follow Rudy through the icy gale. By Christmas morning, all the presents had been delivered.

Everyone returned safely, just as the sun was rising over a newly calm wintery landscape. Rudy took a deep breath, and felt the crisp Christmas morning fill his lungs. His skin tingled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. He saved the day, and taught the guys a lesson about judging people. He was proud of his truck. And he was proud of himself.

"Nice job, Rudy," the boss said, patting him firmly on the back. "You're gonna go down in history."

The foreman put an arm over Rudy's shoulders. "I knew you could do it." He looked Rudy square in the eyes, cleared his throat, and asked, "Wanna play Scrabble?"

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