:Mr.Joe:the whittler

[tnartist05]

Mr. Joe was a short man only 4 ft 2 and didnt wear any shoes. He lived in my little town and lived on the streets but every day at the old store he could be found.He smoked a old corn cob pipe and stuffed it from time to time with broad leave toe-back-e,the old John Leaf kind.

On the front porch of the store he'd sit on a old woren out bench with a peice of wood and his knive carving little toys till the night.When school would let out all the girls and boys would run to the store to see Mr Joes cavings of little animals and toys.

He would smile and give each child a carving and the joy on thiers face was his delight for every day he'd carved till night. He would sleep in the old stables at the edge of town by night and and arrive every morning at the store at the morning's light. We never knew where old Mr. Joe had came from and I ask him one day,Mr Joe where was you born and how long have you been whittling?

Out in the sticks near old Nashville on alittle plot of land and I was rasied with a knive in my hand.My grand Paw showed me how to carve as we sat by the cold nights fire.

Towns folks would give him a loaf of bread and some change at times,he loved our children as all of us,just a kind old man that never made a fuss.

One morning Mr Joe wasnt at the store? I walked down to the stables and found him beside the old door. Our old carver had died but a chuck of wood and his knive laid by his side. Behind the church we buried him on the hill,where hundreds came and stood still. Children laid some of the whittled toys on his grave,we all lost a old friend that day.

This little carving of bass wood is 7/8 inches wide, 1 7/8 inches long,3 inches tall.Painted with acrylics.

Its was a fun project. Your thoughts or comments are always welcome.

Forrest.

[vacation212]

Bouncing SAwsome,made my day.

[Kenny_S]

Not only are you a talented carver and painter but talented in the art of story tell'n.

Jolly good one Forrest!

[Sharon of the Dell]

Sweet carving and story.Brought a few tears to my eyes.

[Ron T]

Hi Forrest,

What a neat little carving for a neat little man. Touching story.

[tnartist05]

Vacation, Im glad this simple carving made your day and you enjoyed it that way~I appreciate you stopping to view him plus your nice thoughts. Forrest

[tnartist05]

AWww Thank you Kenny! Im just now haven sometime I needed to get going on some projects and Im glad you liked this one. P.S Life is a story,I enjoy writting some at times it rest's my mind!

Thanks again for your nice comments,Forrest

[Joy]

I do hope you are collecting these stories and carvings to save for your children!

Thank you for the smile.

[tnartist05]

Tears to your eyes,it washes out the soul at times when they flow! Plus makes us think how lucky we are and a little story can go so far. I apprciate you Sharon for your neat thoughts and good comments as always. Forrest

[tnartist05]

Im gald you enjoyed this little man and his story Ron. It was a simple carving,I did last wk when my left hand wasnt working all that great,thank God,Im right handed! LOL Now Im back working on a bear with three hounds chasing him. I thank you for your nice comments Ron.

Forrest