Flooded With Hope - Tales from Bark Mountain

On this episode of Tales from Bark Mountain, days of cold rain have flooded the town, and what first sounds like a simple water leak quickly turns into something much more important. 

When the firefighters respond to an old apartment building with flooded hallways and broken elevators, they meet ninety-nine-year-old Martha Williams, a woman trapped on the third floor with a lifetime of memories surrounding her. 

But as Goose and the crew help carry Martha to safety, they discover this rescue is not just about water rising through the building… it’s about reminding someone that their life, their story, and their kindness still matter.

This Tales from Bark Mountain episode was created and narrated by Steve Serbic

Music from Bensound.com

License code: JOMKAMTPZ2OJIAIF

Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

Check out goosethefiredog.com for pictures and more stories 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:10

Welcome to another tale from Park Mountain. There was no thunder or lightning, just days and days of heavy cold rain that soaked the streets, dripped onto the rooftops, and turned puddles into little lakes. Inside the Bark Mountain fire hall, Goose rested near the kitchen table while Tom poured himself another cup of coffee. Then suddenly the tones sounded. Engine eleven, Rescue eleven, Chief one, respond to a water leak at the Maplecrest apartments. Multiple units affected and elevators are out of service. Jake looked up. I've never been to a water leak before, he said. Red grabbed his jacket. Hopefully it's something small. Dazzle clipped on her radio. Let's go, you guys, she said. Within seconds the crew had climbed aboard their fire trucks and the rain splashed against their windshield. Engine eleven and rescue eleven rolled through town, lights glowing across the wet streets. As they arrived at the Maple Crest apartments, they could see water already pouring down the side of the entrance like a tiny waterfall. Residents stood outside under umbrellas while the building manager rushed around nervously. He saw Chief Steve and said, The roof skylight burst on the sixth floor. Water flooded the hallway and leaked all the way down to the third floor and shut down the elevators. The elevators aren't working. Fire Chief Steve nodded and asked Anyone stuck up there? The manager pointed upwards towards the third floor. Mrs. Martha Williams. She's ninety nine years old and can't manage stairs on her own. When I spoke to her, she said she felt weak and was unable to stand, and her apartment is flooding. Without hesitation, the firefighters grabbed their gear, including the medical bags and headed into the building. This building was really old, and the lights flickered in the stairwells, and the walls echoed with dripping water. Step by step they climbed upwards while Goose trotted beside them. By the time they reached the third floor, water had seeped underneath several apartment doors. Tom knocked gently. Mrs. Williams, fire department, Tom said. Come in, a lady's voice said. Jake slowly opened the door. When they got inside the apartment, the floor was soaking wet, but it was still warm and cozy. The walls were lined with old photographs, and a grandfather clock quietly ticked in the corner. And there sitting beside the window in a blue sweater was Martha Williams. Her hair was silver and it rested neatly on her shoulders, and her bright eyes sparkled kindly when she saw the firefighters. Wow, she smiled softly, what a good looking group of firefighters you are. Red laughed. We're here to help you down the stairs, said Dazil. Oh, I figured you might be, Martha said calmly. I've been listening to all the commotion outside. Goose walked right over to Martha and rested his head on her knee. Oh my, Martha whispered. And who is this beautiful fellow? That's Goose, Jake said proudly. Martha scratched Goose behind his ears gently. You know, she said. Dogs always know how to make people feel safe. This is a special dog, she said. Tom knelt down beside her. We'll carry you downstairs in our rescue chair. Okay, Martha said, as she looked towards the old photographs on the wall. Would you mind just waiting for just a minute? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Tom responded, Of course we'll wait. Take your time. You let us know when you're ready. The firefighters looked at one another and then they all sat down. Dazil started to check Martha's breathing and her pulse. She was a little short of breath, and her heart rate was beating quite fast. For a few moments the apartment became very quiet, except for the rain tapping against the windows and the clock ticking in the corner. Martha smiled and slowly pointed toward an old black and white photograph on the wall. That was me, she said softly. I was nineteen years old. It was the summer of nineteen forty six. Jake leaned in closer and said You look so happy. We were all so happy back then, Martha smiled. The world moved much slower back then. People sat on their porches, and families ate dinner together every night, and neighbors knew everyone's name on the block. Her eyes drifted towards another photo on a side table. That's my husband Walter in that picture. He worked at the sawmill for forty three years. Looks like he was a good man, Red said with a smile. The very best, Martha whispered. She paused for another moment before continuing. You know what I remember most about those days? The firefighters all leaned in and shook their heads. People helped others without being asked. Kindness filled the world. The room grew still, as Dazil squeezed Martha's hand as she continued to monitor her pulse. If someone's roof leaked, neighbors showed up with ladders. If someone was sick, people brought over soup. If someone felt lonely, others simply just sat beside them. Like Goose was doing as he rested quietly at her feet while the firefighters listened carefully. Martha smiled gently. The world has changed a lot since then. It's so much faster now and louder. And sometimes people forget to slow down long enough to care for one another. Jake looked around the little apartment. But people still do care, misses Williams, Jake said. When we get you safely into the ambulance, we're going to come back up to your apartment and pack up all your things so they don't get wet, Tom explained. Martha's eyes filled softly with tears. You're proving to me right now that people still care, she said. After a few moments, Tom and Dazil carefully helped secure Martha into the rescue chair. And step by step the crew carried her down the stairwell together. Jake guided the crew from below. Red and Tom steadied the sides while Dazil carried from the top, and Goose followed closely behind the entire way. Residents moved aside respectfully as the firefighters carefully brought Martha outside into the cool, rainy air. The ambulance crew waited nearby beneath the flashing lights. Before the firefighters transferred her over to the paramedics, Martha reached out and gently grabbed Tom's hand as she looked at the entire crew. You firefighters remind me of something important, she said softly. Everyone again leaned in a bit closer. Martha smiled warmly as water rained down onto her face. The world was beautiful seventy five years ago, and over the last several years I started to question if hope and kindness still existed. She paused. After meeting you all today, I know it still does. As Martha waved goodbye and the paramedics lifted her and loaded her into the ambulance, the Bark Mountain firefighters knew this to be true. Not every call comes with roaring flames or blaring sirens. Sometimes the most important rescues happen quietly in flooded hallways or dark staircases, or inside tiny apartments filled with old photographs and faded memories, and people who are terrified of being forgotten. Sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is to just slow down long enough to listen, or to help someone to their feet when their legs will no longer carry them. Because no matter how much the world changes, it will always remain beautiful when people choose to carry one another through the weight of those hard days. And long after the floodwaters disappear and the rain stops falling against the windows in Bark Mountain, Martha would remember something important. That on one very wet afternoon, a group of kind firefighters reminded this 99-year-old woman that her life and her beautiful story still matter.

SPEAKER_00 9:04

Thank you for listening. Please check out goostofiretog.com for more stories and pictures. Every Sunday the crew gathers around for another tale from Park Mountain. Please join us. Good morning, good day, good night, little firefighters everywhere.