Little Dolls on the Prairie

Little Dolls on the Prairie

School Days: The First Day in Walnut Grove

It was early morning, and the sun was already beating down in rays of extensive heat. Against their wishes, Laura and Mary were made to go to the Walnut Grove one-room school.

"I'm nervous," Laura whispered as they climbed the creaky wooden steps.

"Me too," Mary assured her, holding her sister's hand.

Laura hid shyly behind her older sister, both girls staying in a corner of the schoolyard. Laura carried their lunch bucket, and Mary stacked their school books by her feet. The other children chased each other around, playing and yelling while waiting for the bell to be rung.

While they were watching and listening to their to-be-classmates, a snobby girl approached them, her nose high in the air in arrogance.

"Snipes! Long-legged snipes!" she taunted. Self-consciously, Mary glanced down at her dress, which she had worn since the last summer. Laura's dress was also a used article, and both girls were in need of new dresses. Laura was nearly in tears when a gentle voice called to them from the grassy yard.

"Don't mind her," the voice instructed. "She thinks she's better than everyone else just because her father owns the general store. I'm Christy Howard, and that's Nellie Oleson."

Christy turned and said more quietly,

 

"She teases everyone about everything."

A bit encouraged, Mary was about to inquire more about this kind girl when a ringing interrupted her.

The teacher, Ms. Beadle, stood in the large doorway, ringing a small bell. She had a warm, inviting smile that beckoned the children to come inside.

"Welcome to Walnut Grove," Ms. Beadle greeted her new students. "I presume you're Laura and Mary Ingalls." A silent nod affirmed her conclusion. "You may take a seat on the front row."

Unfortunately for the sisters, Nellie Oleson was seated behind them, and Christy Howard, their new found friend was on the other side of the room.

*      *       *       *      *    *     *    *     *      *

Halfway through one of the lessons that afternoon, Nellie reached for one of Laura's braids, and giving it a hard yank, smirked in achievement.

Enraged, Laura turned and stood on her seat, raised her slate and with a resounding, 'WHACK',

smacked Nellie right on top of her golden curls.

"Miss Beadle!" she shrieked in feigned horror.

"What on earth is going on?" Miss Beadle inquired sternly. "Laura, apologize to Nellie at once for your misbehavior."

"I won't!" Laura impudently responded. "She started it by yanking my braids!"

"Both of you apologize to one another."

"Sorry," they muttered half-heartedly.

"Now, I don't want either of you speaking or bothering each other. Understood?" Miss Beadle instructed.

"Yes, ma'am." they said quietly.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

 Like always, Ma was standing at the top of the stairs, waiting for the girls to welcome them home. Even though they had just recently trekked across the prairie to their new home, Pa had already built a small cabin.

Jack, their dog, bounded down the steps to greet them.

"How was school?" Ma questioned, a smile wreathing her face.

"It was all right," Mary said quietly, looking downcast.

"I got in trouble for hitting someone who was mean on the head with my slate." Laura admitted. "But she started it!"

"Already, Laura?" Ma moaned. "Oh well, go ahead and do your chores so we can sit by the fire when your father gets home."

"Yes, ma'am." the sisters said in unison.

 As the day began to fade, casting shadows in the small but cozy home, Laura climbed into the wide window ledge and stared out.
"Be careful," Mary warned, her bonnet still hanging from her neck.
"I'll be careful." Laura assured her. "What did you think of Walnut Grove?"
"I don't care for the Oleson girl, but Christy seemed nice. I'm curious to find out more about her," Mary mused.
"I despise that old meanie!" Laura exclaimed hastily.
"Laura!" Mary replied, but secretly agreed in her heart.

*         *         *        *         *        *      *      *         *           *

 With the warmth and glow of the fire basking the girls in a faint light, they climbed into their makeshift beds on the floor and dropped to sleep. The last thought that crossed Mary's mind was, "I wonder if I'll make any friends..."

 

Hope you enjoyed it! I'm going to work on the next part soon!