Mohican Molly

When Molly Montague of Mud Mound, Montana, asked to become a Mohican, chief Deadly Dagger glared at her and said, “Females cannot join the Mohican Club. We are mighty male warriors! You are nothing but a girl. Even our own sisters are forbidden membership in this band of men who are fearless in battle. That tree house above your head is our sacred meeting place. No female foot has ever sullied its hallowed floor. Girls are beneath our manly stature. Depart from my presence!” Storming away, Molly said, “Wrong, Chief! I will prove myself worthy of being among your number!”

Later that day, before mustering for a war council, a member climbed the ladder to the clubhouse to ensure the ritual items were in place. Out of earshot and hidden behind a tree, Molly watched. The warrior who inspected the clubhouse scampered quickly down the ladder and told his brothers that a huge wasp nest was hanging from the ceiling. With a malicious look on his face, the chief chuckled and said, “Ah-ha, fetch that sweet, innocent little girl Molly. The wasps will rid us of her, once ad for all.”

When Molly was brought before him, the chief said, “Girl, if you can climb blindfolded up to the tree house and bring me the sacred Bowie knife hanging from the ceiling, you will qualify for Mohican membership. But you’ll get no second chance — fail, and you’ll be banned forever from this manly cult.” Squaring her shoulders, Molly announced that the challenge was fair enough and asked to be blindfolded.

Slowly, Molly felt her way up the ladder and into the clubhouse. While groping for the Bowie knife, her hand poked directly into the nest. Out, she flew, slapping, screaming, and crashing to the ground. Barely able to conceal his glee, Chief Deadly Dagger asked her what happened.

Gasping for breath, she replied, “A wasp nest is hanging from the ceiling, and I put my hand into it, but that will not stop me from getting that knife. Tie some rags to a stick, set them on fire, and let one of your warriors volunteer to shove it near the nest. When the smoke makes the wasps leave, I will climb blindfolded into the house and get the knife.”

Complete silence fell over the band. Realizing that nobody would volunteer to smoke the wasp nest, Molly snarled, “I thought Mohicans were mighty men of valor, unafraid of anything. Very well, I’ll do it myself.” With that, she wrapped an old towel around a stick, lit it, and entered the clubhouse. When the smoke caused the wasps to flee, she grabbed the knife and climbed down. Handing it to Chief Deadly Dagger, she said, “Honorable warriors never break their word — will you?”

Looking around at his silent, sheepish, shamefaced soldiers, the chief put his arm around the girl and said, “Fellow warriors, it is my great honor to present to you the newest member of our band: Mohican Molly .

NOTE: Jimmy Reed is a retired college professor and author of several books. This story is from his latest, a children’s book entitled FROM A TO Z, TO YOU FROM ME. Each story in the book maximizes the use of an alphabetical letter, enhanced by alliteration and assonance. The book is available on Amazon, or can be purchased directly from the author. His email address is jimmycecilreedjr@gmail.com.