Often in the late afternoon when
Papa was plowing the field near the house, my little brother and
I would go to meet him and he would sit us on the mules and let
us ride to the barn. This day when we were waiting for Papa to
put the harness in the barn, the mules ran by where we were standing.
As they kicked up their heels in glee to be free from the harness
and plow, I was laid low by a flying hoof. Papa heard my little brother
crying and thought something had happened to him. He hadn't seen me
lying on the ground. He picked up my limp body and took me to Mama
who called the doctor. Dr. McAdams broke the speed limit as he made
the mile to our house in record time in his Model T. He discovered
my lower teeth and the bone they were attached to lying back in my
mouth. He was able to push the bone and teeth back in place. He
pulled the edges of the wound on my chin together and put some tape
on to hold it closed. For days I couldn't talk or chew. Mama
carried me through the house and I pointed to what I wanted. Uncle
Festus brought me a Katz and Jammer Kids funny book which was read
over and over. My diet consisted of Mama's standard - chicken tea,
grape juice and buttermilk - this is what we always had when we
were sick. It is fortunate that I was only five years old when
this happened. Otherwise I might have been singing for a long
time "All I want are some front teeth." The scar on
my chin today is a reminder of the Kicking Mule Episode.