Danny was a nine-year-old boy who lived with his family in London. Danny loved visiting his zeidy and bubby who lived in Manchester and he also loved the two-hour train ride from London to Manchester. Once they boarded the train Danny would cozily sandwich himself between his parents and dreamily watch the city fade into the countryside. Before he knew it, they would arrive in Manchester where his grandparents would always be waiting to fetch them and drive them to their welcoming home.
It Was Such an Easy Commute
As Danny grew, an idea began to formulate in his mind. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he were to visit his grandparents for a weekend? He would love their undivided attention. And it was such an easy commute as he had ridden the train so many times that he could even travel alone.
Eventually, he built up the courage to run his idea by his parents. Initially, they were adamant that he was way too young to travel on his own, but Danny’s persistence paid off and finally, his parents promised him that for his eleventh birthday weekend, he could visit his grandparents all by himself. Danny counted down the months until he would turn eleven and finally get his wish fulfilled.
At last, the week of Danny’s birthday approached and he anxiously looked forward to the weekend so that he could take his long-awaited trip. On the day of his solo journey, Danny rose early and packed a small case to take along. Truth be told, he did have butterflies in the pit of his stomach both from excitement and from the anxiety of traveling alone.
Growing More and More Nervous by the Minute
When they arrived at the train station, Danny’s father went to buy him a ticket and even accompanied Danny onto the train. Danny swung his small case onto the shelf above his seat. On the outside he appeared calm and confident but on the inside, he was growing more and more nervous by the minute.
His father, perhaps sensing some of Danny’s apprehension, asked him if he was sure that he was okay traveling all by himself. Danny assured his father that he was okay. After all, it was a short two-hour trip, and anyway, his grandparents would be waiting on the platform as soon as the train arrived in Manchester.
A Folded Piece of Paper
“Well then, goodbye Danny, safe travels,” his father said. But as he said goodbye, Danny’s father pressed a folded piece of paper into Danny’s sweaty palm. “Danny, if for some odd reason you begin to panic or if something happens, just open this note and you will be okay.”
“No worries, Dad, I am just fine,” and with that Danny quickly stuffed the folded note into his coat pocket. Moments later the train pulled out of the station as Danny tried to calm his pounding heart and settle down. But, try as he might, his apprehension just continued to grow. It only got worse when a shady-looking character entered his train car and sat down directly across from Danny. All kinds of frightening thoughts entered his mind and his imagination shifted into overdrive.
Regretted Ever Coming Up with this Crazy Idea
At the next stop, a group of rowdy thugs entered his car and sat near him. Danny began to panic. This was not how he had imagined the train ride and he regretted ever coming up with this crazy idea. The world around him began to spin as the panic intensified and Danny was losing it when he suddenly remembered the paper in his pocket. Frantically, he stuck his hand into his pocket and unfolded the piece of paper.
As he began to read the note, a smile broke out on his face and a sudden calm set in. The note read. “Danny dear, if you are reading this note while still on the train, stay calm and walk to the back of the train. You will find me in the last car waiting for you!”
Danny grabbed his case and quickly walked through the train to the last car. Sure enough, his father was sitting there. Relieved, Danny ran into his father’s arms. He knew that with his father onboard he would surely be okay.
On life’s journey, complications and challenges sometimes arise and suddenly we begin to panic as we feel like we have to go at it all alone. This is so far from the truth, as a Yid always figuratively carries a note in his pocket that says, “Imo anochi b’tzarah — I am with you in your time of need. Just grab your pekel and find Me. I am there for you on your journey!”
Reprinted from the Parshas Korach 5784 edition of At the ArtScroll Shabbos Table. Excerpted from the ArtScroll book – “Flashes of Greatness.”
