Tag: Time

Chapter 1

Mr. Picklefoot’s dog, Skip, saw a squirrel jump to the ground from an oak tree in a neighbor’s yard.

“Skip! Don’t pull!” Mr. Picklefoot shouted as the golden retriever lunged to intercept the squirrel. The sudden and unexpected tug caused Mr. Picklefoot to lose his balance and step forward awkwardly. He very narrowly missed biting his tongue in the process.

Mr. Picklefoot braced his feet on the curb and leaned back with all his might. Skip strained against his collar, pulling so hard that he started coughing and choking himself.

The squirrel darted over the fence of the next house and then into the backyard. It had escaped! Accepting defeat, Skip backed up and sat down beside his master. He looked up at Mr. Picklefoot with a wide grin as he panted heavily, his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth.

Mr. Picklefoot was not amused. It was 7 a.m., and he needed to prepare for the day’s first house call. He also wanted another cup of coffee and a second scone with strawberry jam.

“Bad dog, Skip!” he shouted, waving a finger at his dog. Skip looked down at his paws.

Just then, a blue Oldsmobile sedan slowed and stopped before them. A power window hummed as it slid down.

“Mr. Picklefoot!” exclaimed the lady behind the wheel. She was about 75 with gray hair pulled back into a neat bun. “Am I ever glad to see you! My clocks need adjusting, and my smoke alarms need fresh batteries. It’s complete chaos.”

“Mrs. Knowles, it is nice to see you,” Mr. Picklefoot said, still somewhat winded from his exertions with Skip and the squirrel. “My appointment book is nearly full, but I am happy to squeeze you in for a visit as long as you don’t mind it being this evening. My last appointment is at 6 p.m. so it would be after that. Probably closer to 7 p.m.”

Mr. Picklefoot was the owner and sole proprietor of “Time is of the Essence.” His establishment specialized in setting things right following the two disruptive days associated with daylight saving time each year. With packages starting at $19.95, he would come to your home or business to adjust all clocks and replace the batteries in all smoke alarms. The service included wristwatches, both digital and mechanical.

He was always quick to correct people who referred to the clock-adjusting ritual as daylight savings time. “It’s daylight-saving time, not “savings time,” he would shriek. He’d add that the term has no hyphen if it were over email.

He spent 363 days of the year repairing mechanical watches and clocks. He never took time for a vacation or even a day off. Skip was the store’s mascot and chief customer greeter.  

“7 p.m. is fine, Mr. Picklefoot,” Mrs. Knowles said, looking down at Skip. She was allergic to dogs. “I am just so relieved that you have any time.”

“I always make time when time is of the essence,” he said. “Time is money, after all.” With that, he smiled and tipped his baseball cap. Then Skip saw another squirrel and their conversation ended abruptly.

Chapter 2

As Mr. Picklefoot and Skip continued their walk, they made their way through the quiet suburban neighborhood. The houses were neatly lined along the tree-lined streets with clocks requiring precise attention.

Skip was still on high alert, his eyes darting from tree to tree, looking for any more squirrels that might tempt him into another chase. Mr. Picklefoot, on the other hand, was mentally organizing his schedule for the day. He had a list of appointments to keep, each with its unique set of timepieces and smoke alarms needing adjustment.

The morning sun was beginning to warm the air, and the scent of freshly mowed lawns and blooming flowers filled the neighborhood. It was moments like these that Mr. Picklefoot cherished the most—when he could take a break from the hustle and bustle of his busy schedule and enjoy a stroll with his loyal companion.

Turning a corner, they encountered Mrs. Ramirez, a young mother with a toddler. The little girl clutched a stuffed bunny and looked up at Mr. Picklefoot with wide, curious eyes.

“Hello, Mrs. Ramirez,” Mr. Picklefoot greeted her warmly. “How are you and little Sophie doing today?”

Mrs. Ramirez smiled; her eyes tired but kind. “We’re good, Mr. Picklefoot. But our wall clock in the living room has been running slow for weeks, and it’s driving me crazy. Can you fix it?”

Mr. Picklefoot nodded. “Of course, I can. I’ll pencil you in for tomorrow morning, say around 10 a.m.? Will that work for you?”

“That’s perfect,” she replied with a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much. Sophie loves to watch the clock, and explaining why it’s always wrong has been hard.”

As they continued their walk, Mr. Picklefoot made a mental note to bring a small toy for Sophie on his next visit. He had a soft spot for children and always tried to make their clock adjustments a memorable experience.

After a few more blocks, they reached the local park. The sun was now entirely in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the playground. Children ran around, laughed, and played on the swings and slides. Skip wagged his tail excitedly, eager to join in the fun, but Mr. Picklefoot gently tugged on his leash.

“Not today, Skip,” he said. “We have work to do.”

As they left the park behind, Mr. Picklefoot couldn’t help but reflect on the importance of his job. In a world that was constantly rushing forward, he was the one who ensured that time itself remained steady and reliable for his customers. It was a responsibility he took seriously, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

With each step, he and Skip continued their walk, ready to face the challenges and quirks of time that awaited them in the quaint suburban neighborhood they called home.

Chapter 3

The evening had settled in, and Mr. Picklefoot was preparing for his appointment with Mrs. Knowles. He carefully packed his toolkit, making sure he had all the necessary tools to adjust her clocks and replace the smoke alarm batteries. Skip watched intently, his tail wagging with anticipation.

At 7 p.m. sharp, Mr. Picklefoot arrived at Mrs. Knowles’ cozy home. She greeted him at the door with a warm smile and a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

“Mr. Picklefoot, thank you for coming,” she said, leading him to the living room. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Mr. Picklefoot got to work, meticulously adjusting each clock in Mrs. Knowles’ home. She watched in fascination as he carefully synchronized each timepiece, explaining the intricacies of his craft. Despite her initial stress, Mrs. Knowles found herself enjoying the process and Mr. Picklefoot’s company.

As the last clock ticked into perfect alignment, Mr. Picklefoot replaced the batteries in the smoke alarms. He checked them all to ensure they were functioning correctly. Mrs. Knowles was impressed with his attention to detail.

“Everything looks perfect now, Mrs. Knowles,” Mr. Picklefoot declared with a satisfied smile. “Your home is in sync with time itself.”

Touched by his dedication and expertise, Mrs. Knowles handed Mr. Picklefoot a small envelope. “I know you charge a fair price for your services, but please take this as a token of my gratitude.”

Mr. Picklefoot opened the envelope and found a handwritten thank-you note and a generous tip. He was genuinely touched by her kindness and thanked her profusely.

Chapter 4

The following day, Mr. Picklefoot promptly arrived at Mrs. Ramirez’s home at 10 a.m. Sophie, the curious toddler, was eager to meet him again. This time, Mr. Picklefoot had brought a small wind-up toy for her—a little clockwork bunny that hopped and clicked as it moved.

Sophie’s eyes lit up with delight as she received the gift. “Thank you, Mr. Picklefoot!” she exclaimed.

Mr. Picklefoot smiled warmly. “You’re very welcome, Sophie. Now, let’s take a look at that wall clock of yours.”

He carefully examined the clock, diagnosing the issue and making the necessary adjustments. Sophie watched with fascination, asking questions about gears and hands as Mr. Picklefoot worked his magic.

With the clock now keeping perfect time, Mr. Picklefoot handed Sophie a tiny screwdriver. “Would you like to help me, Sophie?”

Her eyes widened, and she nodded eagerly. Together, they tightened a few screws on the clock’s back cover. Sophie beamed with a sense of accomplishment.

As Mr. Picklefoot bid farewell to Mrs. Ramirez and Sophie, he couldn’t help but feel that he had made a small difference in their lives. It was moments like these that made his work truly rewarding.

Chapter 5

As the days passed, Mr. Picklefoot continued his rounds, ensuring that time was accurate and reliable for all his customers. He encountered various challenges, from antique grandfather clocks that required delicate restoration to modern digital timepieces with complex settings. Each appointment brought its unique story and connection with the people he served.

Chapter 6

One sunny afternoon, Mr. Picklefoot received a call from the local elementary school. Their tower clock, a cherished community landmark, had stopped ticking. The principal, Mrs. Johnson, was in a panic as the upcoming school play depended on the clock’s accurate timekeeping.

Mr. Picklefoot rushed to the school, accompanied by Skip. He carefully climbed the clock tower, with Skip watching from below. After a thorough examination, he discovered a worn-out gear that needed replacement. He replaced the gear with great precision, and soon, the clock was ticking again.

Mrs. Johnson was overjoyed. “Mr. Picklefoot, you’ve saved the day! Our play can go on as scheduled.”

Skip barked happily, and Mr. Picklefoot couldn’t help but feel pride in his work. He knew that his dedication to keeping time was not only about clocks but about keeping communities connected and thriving.

Chapter 7

As the seasons changed, Mr. Picklefoot’s reputation continued to grow. People from neighboring towns began to request his services, and he traveled further to meet their needs. Skip, the ever-loyal companion, accompanied him on his journeys, becoming a beloved figure in every community they visited.

Chapter 8

One evening, as Mr. Picklefoot and Skip returned from a particularly long day of clock adjustments, they walked through the park where children still played. Now a bit older, Sophie spotted Mr. Picklefoot and ran over with a bright smile.

“Mr. Picklefoot! Look at my clock!” she exclaimed, showing him a homemade cardboard clock, she had decorated.

Mr. Picklefoot knelt; his heart warmed by the sight of Sophie’s creativity. “That’s a fantastic clock, Sophie! You’ve done a wonderful job.”

She beamed with pride. “I want to be like you when I grow up, Mr. Picklefoot. I want to make sure time is always right for everyone.”

Touched by her words, Mr. Picklefoot patted Sophie’s head. “You’ll make a fantastic timekeeper, Sophie. Just remember, time is precious, and what we do with it matters most.”

And so, the story of Mr. Picklefoot, the dedicated timekeeper, and Skip, his faithful companion, ends. Their journey through the world of clocks and time had kept time accurate and touched the lives of many in their community and beyond. They had shown that in a world constantly on the move, sometimes all it took to make a difference was a little time and a lot of heart.

The End