Cb Radio: How Listening Can Completely Change Your Life
The story that follows is taken almost word for word from a song written and sung by Red Sovine in 1976 as a salute to American truckers
. This story places it in the United Kingdom with the name "White Rabbit". Enough of it is so recognizable that any rewrite would still be plagiarism. See the song lyrics at the end.
In the late 1960's and early 70's CB radio became really popular in the UK.Distances between one point and another are not long compared to that of the USA, but the road can still be a lonely one. CB Radio was considered great fun, the sillier the name or handle people chose the better. One young man who enjoyed it particularly was'Charlie K'.
Charliecam home from University for the long vacation and his father, who was a wealthy haulier insisted that as their business involved trucks Charlie should gain his license. This he did and set off soon after that on his first trip.
The Yorkshire Moors are a delightful place in the daylight but at night take on a whole new perspective; dark, lonely and gloomily forbidding. Charlie was therefore hoping to reach civilization before dark. He switched on the radio and tuned it to the usual CB channel when to his surprise a child's voice said,' Breaker, Breaker, is there anybody there, come back truckers and talk to White Rabbit'.
Charlie answered with 'You've got it White Rabbit', there was a silence and then the voice said, 'Who have I got on the other end'? after Charlie gave him his 'handle' the little boy began to tell him a story that was literally going to change his life.
'White Rabbit' had promised his Mum that he wouldn't bother the truckers but he was lonely and wanted company. He wascripple and had never walked, so talking was all he could do.Charlie said that he was happy to talk for as long as 'White Rabbit' was in range. The boy then told him that this had been his Dads radio but he presumed it was his now because his Dad had been killed in an accident a month before. His parents had been saving to take him to America for an operation that they hoped would allow him to walk but now that his Mum had to go out to work he didn't think that would happen. Although she still said she would make it all right, he heard her crying in the night.
The channel was silent except for 'White Rabbit' and himself which Charlie thought was peculiar and when the boy came back to say that the thing he wanted most in the world was to ride in an 18 wheeler again, Charlie had a lump in his throat, and then the voice came back to say he was going to back out and if Charlie would give him a shout when was passing anytime he would be happy to come back to him. 'Before you 10-10 what's your home 20 little friend',Charlie asked. He got the address, turned the truck, the load could wait and as he turned into the boys road, got the shock of his life, it was full of 18 wheelers, every trucker for miles around had been listening and each driver was taking turns to carry him into their truck and taking him around the block, he was having a ball. Of course Charlie took his turn and when it was time to go they took a collection, which didn't stop there.
When Charlie reached the moors again he had tears in his eyes and then his radio burst into life, 'Breaker ? just a word of thanks from White Rabbits Mum. We wish everyone of you a special prayer because you made my little boy so happy. May God ride with you all, 10-4 and Goodnight'.
The truckers kept collecting and two years later White Rabbit walked out of an American clinic all by himself. He is now a business man in London and Charlie went back to university, changed courses and is now an eminent pediatric surgeon who has been knighted by the Queen. And all because he listened to CB Radio.
THESE ARE THE SONG LYRICS
I was on the outskirts of a little southern town
Tryin' to reach my destination
Before the sun went down
The old CB was blarin' away on channel 1-9
When there came
A little boy's voice on the radio line
And he said
Breaker 1-9
Is anyone there
Come on back truckers
And talk to Teddy Bear
Well I keyed the mike and said
You got it
Teddy Bear
And a little boy's voice came back on the air
Preciate the break
Who we got on that end
I told him my handle
And then he began
Now I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there
Mom says you're busy
And for me to stay off the air
But you see
I get lonely and it helps to talk
'Cause that's about all I can do
I'm crippled
And I can't walk
I came back and told him to fire up that mike
And I'd talk to him
As long as he liked
This was my dad's radio
The little boy said
But I guess it's mine and mom's now
'Cause my daddy's dead
Dad had a wreck about a month ago
He was trying to get home in a blindin' snow
Mom has to work now
To make ends meet
And I'm not much help
With my two crippled feet
She says not to worry
That we'll make it alright
But I hear her crying
Sometimes late at night
You know there's one thing
I want more than anything else to see
Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me
But you see
My dad used to take me for rides
When he was home
But.... I guess that's all over now
Since my daddy's gone
Not one breaker came on the old CB
As that little crippled boy
Talked with me
I tried hard to swallow
A lump
That just wouldn't stay down
As I thought about my boy
Back in Greenville Town
Dad was going to take mom and me with him
Later on this year
Why l remember him saying
Someday this old truck will be yours Teddy Bear
But I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again
But this old base will keep me in touch
With all my trucker friends
Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now
And leave you alone
'Cause it's about time for
Mom to come home
But you give me a shout when you're passin' through
And I'll sure be happy to come back to you
Well I came back and I said
Uh...Before you go 10-10
What's your home 20
Little CB friend
Well he gave me his address
And I didn't once hesitate
'Cause this hot load of freight
Was just gonna have to wait
I turned that truck around on a dime
And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229
And as I rounded the corner
Oh I got one heck of a shock
l8 wheelers were lined up for three city blocks
Why I guess every driver for miles around
Had caught Teddy Bear's call
And that little crippled boy was having a ball
For as fast as one driver would carry him in
Another would carry him to his truck
And take off again
Well you better believe
I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear
And then I carried him back in
And put him down in his chair
And buddy if I never live to see happiness again
I want you to know
I saw it that day
In the face of that little man
We took up a collection for him
Before his mama got home
And each driver said goodbye
And then they all were gone
He shook my hand with a mile-long grin
And said
So long trucker
I'll catch ya again
Well I hit the Interstate
With tears in my eyes
I turned on the radio
And I got another surprise
Breaker 1-9
Came a voice on the air
Just one word of thanks
From Mama Teddy Bear
We wish each and every one
A special prayer for you
Cause, You just made my little boy's
Dream come true
I'll sign off now
Before I start to cry
May God ride with ya
10-4
And goodbye
by:Tom Thors
Chicago Lexus Rx 350 Wins The Top Safety Pick Award For Outstanding Protection Medication Safety Advanced In The Hospital Pharmacy With Mckesson Ehr & Cpoe Technology Mark Webber Takes Advantage Of Safety Car To Win The Hungarian Grand Prix The Different Views About The Construction Safety Plan Meeting The Demands Of Construction Safety Management Plans Send A Message With The Help Of Your Construction Site Safety Plan Embracing The Construction Health And Safety Plan - The Onsite Benefits How To Find Reliable Electronic Component Supplier Radiology Technician Schools - How To Become A Radiologic Technologist Mixing Electronics & A Green Lifestyle Evil Eye Bracelets Ensure Safety And Harmony Of Your Home Electrical Safety Training For Your Home Valuable Bathroom Devices - Shower Radio