Short Stories

The Caretaker

by Nneka Ene
12/09/19
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The Caretaker
(Inspired by teachings by Pastor Derek Prince and selected portions of Galatians 4 and Romans 8)

Ruth and several other orphans were overjoyed. Dr Wilson, the town’s wealthiest, kindest and most eccentric doctor was ready to adopt another batch of orphans. They were to be princes and princesses, children that would bring glory to Dr Wilson and represent him properly over the world in well placed positions and offices.
The first few months on Dr Wilson’s sprawling estate were a delight. Even though the Doctor was away, he had left all the orphans in the care of his capable caretaker who seemed to delight in giving them all the sweets and chocolates they could eat and in generally letting them have their own way. In fact, so kind was the Doctor’s benevolent caretaker that the fattened boys and girls began to forget the Doctor and his instructions to them before he left. A famous teetotaller and disciplinarian, the few who remembered the Doctor’s words, despite the bustle of a mind numbing timetable of games and chocolates, and you wouldn’t believe it, a little bit of fruit wine now and then, courtesy of the ever friendly, naughty caretaker, were quickly silenced. All would be just fine, the Doctor would forgive and he was too strict anyway. The whole town knew it, they would side would the poor, defenceless children just as the caretaker said if he tried to get rid of them. How did he make his money anyway? Was it not from the blood and sacrifices of poor, defenceless children like themselves just as the caretaker said? Who did he think he was fooling anyway? An indulgent and wise mentor for any that were beginning to chaff against the Doctor’s seemingly endless rules and regulations, the caretaker was gradually becoming more of a father to many than Dr Wilson ever was and his reassuring words a haven.
One day, while enjoying her share of some of the delicious sweets in the safe privacy of one of the gardens (for severe battles were beginning to break out more frequently now among the children to the delight of the caretaker), Ruth was approached by Dr Wilson’s old gardener. A very wrinkled man and source of great amusement to some of the bigger kids, the gardener loved to spend hours pruning the beautiful roses that grew on the grounds and trying to make friends with the orphans. “Not now old man!” some of the bigger kids would yell when he shuffled in their direction. He was wind-bag to them with none of the glamour and strength of the caretaker, and there was something else as well. He bothered them. He made them feel that Dr Wilson was actually coming back even though his mission had lasted well over a decade. They were all teenagers now and the whole town had given up all hope seeing the philanthropic Doctor ever again. Why this old man clung to the old ways was beyond them.
Ruth rubbed her tummy, delighted with her share but her joy turned to gloom as she watched the approaching gardener. The stain of being seen talking to him would last for weeks but she did not have heart to rebuke him rudely as many of the others would. The little opening she gave was all the small, wizened man needed and before long Ruth was creeping out of the main building to the little shack in which the gardener lived, spending hours listening to stories of the old days and family history, Dr Wilson’s many achievements and the achievements of many of her other predecessors that had been raised by him. Her eyes grew round at stories of valour and bravery, and her heart was warmed and inspired by stories of endurance and patience.
Sammy’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, Ruth had been acting strangely. The other day he had stolen a whole bag of her treats and when she found out she had not said a single word, and what was with all the painting and crayons anyway? Only the Doctor liked that and everyone knew the Doctor was lame. “Tell me why you’re acting weird or I’ll punch you” beefy Sammy demanded. Ruth sighed and before long both were slipping out to listen to the gardener’s stories.
The caretaker has to do something quickly, his lovely camp was being divided into two separate groups and the Doctor would be back any moment now, and he would get the sack as promised for all his dishonesty. Expensive gifts and treats became the order of the day for the orphans loyal to the caretaker and beatings and insults for those that were not. Many fell away. Taking away the chocolates were one thing but no meals! Things had not been this bad even in the orphanage and the doctor would surely not want them to suffer so much. Ruth, Sammy and few others held on. Unconsciously obeying the Doctor’s rules, so inspired they were by the gardeners stories, something within them now balked at the caretaker’s culture and preferences.
One day, suddenly, the Doctor returned and was shocked to be confronted by some young adults that looked nothing like him or the many that he had over time entrusted with responsibilities and privileges. As the caretaker had predicted the now very foreign looking adults were handed over to him to be his servants in his little home on the outskirts of town...