Читать книгу The Most Important Thing - David Gross - Страница 6

Every three months, father slid the Type 38 rifle from under the bed. The longest rifle of World War II, manufactured in Japan, was modified to fire Russian ammunition. The three boys watched as their father cleaned and oiled the weapon.

“Daddy, what did you do in the war?” asked Dennis, the baby.

“I walked up and down Korea four times,” replied the father with a smile.

Speaking to father was like speaking to God. Though one may ask many questions, the answers proved unexpected and mystical. The man told some story that bordered upon the ridiculous. The boys were disappointed.

“How did you get this gun?” asked Michael, the middle boy.

“I asked for it and had to fill out about a million forms,” responded the father.

The Korean War soldier rarely spoke of the war. At the time, the nation ignored the war. Many thought the Korean “conflict” unworthy of the cost. The war ended in a draw. Draws bore and are soon forgotten. Thus, historians labeled the Korean War, “The Forgotten War.”

“Did this gun shoot at you?” the oldest son, David, wondered aloud.

“Naw,” answered the quiet man from the Forgotten War, “the day I got this weapon was when I learned about the most important thing.”

“What is the most important thing?” David asked.

“Well, that is something every person has to learn for themselves,” was the answer. Father told us the story of his life in the Korean War as he polished the talisman of the most important thing. We are still trying to figure it out. But if you read carefully, you will find it.