And he said "Breaker one-nine, is anyone there? Come on back truckers and talk to Teddy Bear." Well I keyed the mike and said, "you got it Teddy Bear." and a little boy's voice came back on the air.

"I appreciate the break. Who we got on that end?"I told him my handle, and then he began. "Now I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there. Mom says you're busy, and for me to stay off the air.

But you see....I get lonely and it helps to talk. because that's about all I can do. I'm crippled, And I can't walk." I came back and told him to fire up that mike, and i'd talk to him, as long as he liked.

"This was my dad's radio," the little boy said. "But I guess it's mine and mom's now because my daddy's dead." "Dad had a wreck about a month ago. He was trying to get home in a blinding snow".

"Mom has to work now, to make ends meet. and I'm not much help with my two crippled feet." "She says not to worry, that we'll make it alright. But I hear her crying sometimes late at night."

"You know there's one thing I want more than anything else to see. Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me." "You see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home. But.... I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone."

Not one breaker came on the old CB. as that little crippled boy talked with me. I tried hard to swallow a lump that just wouldn't stay down. As I thought about my boy back in Greenville Town.

"Dad was going to take mom and me with him Later on this year. Why I remember him saying, "someday this old truck will be yours Teddy Bear."

"I know I'll never get to ride an eighteen wheeler again, but this old base will keep me in touch, with all my trucker friends." "Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone. Because it's about time for mom to come home."

"You give me a shout when you're passin' through, And i'll sure be happy to come back to you". Well I came back and I said, "Uh...Before you go ten-ten, what's your home twenty little CB friend?"

Well he gave me his address, and I didn't once hesitate. Because this hot load of freight, was just gonna have to wait. I turned that truck around on a dime, and headed straight for Jackson Street 229.

And as I rounded the corner, oh I got one heck of a shock. Eighteen wheelers were lined up for three city blocks. Why I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call. And that little crippled boy was having a ball.

And buddy if I never live to see happiness again, I want you to know. I saw it that day in the face of that little man. We took up a collection for him before his mama got home. Each driver said goodbye, and then they all were gone.

He shook my hand with a mile long grin, and said "so long trucker I'll catch ya again." Well I hit the Interstate with tears in my eyes, I turned on the radio and I got another surprise.

Breaker one-nine came a voice on the air. "Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear. We wish each and every one a special prayer for you. Because you just made my little boy's dream come true. I'll sign off now, before I start to cry. May God ride with ya.....ten-four, and goodbye."

~Red Sovine~


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