By Sam
Nobles
“Make it as tight as you can get it.” This is what I told my best
friend Bo when we were finishing up the handlebars on a homemade bicycle. It
was the custom of the kids in my neighborhood to make a bicycle from the parts
of other junk bicycles. Bragging rights went to, not only the best looking
bike, but also the bike that would actually stay together. I remember telling
Bo to stand back as I straddled the Frankenstein bike of our creation. It had a
ten-speed wheel on front and on the back we were equipped with the tire from a
dirt bike and training wheels (for support). To top it off we added a banana
seat from Bo’s cousin, Ricky Wayne’s toddler bicycle. As I began to peddle down
the giant hill on Arthur Street I was amazed that the bicycle actually worked.
I kept my eyes fastened on the chain to make sure everything was moving the way
it was supposed to be moving. I became so proud of my accomplishment that I put
both hands in the air, Lance Armstrong style, and began to shout my accolades
to every kid and grown-up that happened to be outside as I cruised down this
giant hill. But to my surprise, as I went to re-grab the handle bars they were
gone. They had fallen off somewhere along the way and the only course of action
I had was to take a bad spill at the bottom of Arthur Street.
The Bible says, “When pride comes, then comes
shame; But with the humble is wisdom” (PROVERBS 11:2 NKJV).
My friend Bo swore he tightened the handle bars, but maybe I wouldn’t have
wrecked that day had I been wise and kept both hands on the handlebars.
