The magic of the Bull

Chapter 1.

The light of the early morning sun found its way over the river Maas and set the statue of the Bull in a reddish glow. The Bull was and still is a symbol for the small Dutch village of Cuijk. The statue was oblivious of the fact that the day was kicked off in the usual manner at the Kortooms household. Father Harrie was ready to take dog Wammes out for his walk and mother Nellie was pounding on the door of daughter Fleur's bedroom to announce that the young lady really should get up now.

Don't want to! Fleur called out. Bram is probably on the loo again anyway!

Bram, where are you? Nellie was worried that her daughter was right so she called out to her son, just to be certain.

On the loo! Bram considered that place an excellent spot to sit down with his book. Sometimes he'd lose track of time a little and then a good bang on the door would drag him back to reality but this time that didn't happen.

Hurry! Fleur needs to go, his mother warned him.

Don't! Fleur was an expert in making things even more difficult for Nellie.

You know what, the mother decided, you figure out how you get all of this done. I want you down for breakfast in ten minutes. You eat and then you go to school. As Nellie walked down the stairs to pour the tea she shook her head. Somewhere in the future there had to be a morning where everything ran like clockwork. Please let it be soon, she muttered, because this is turning into a bad habit more and more. Of course, five minutes later she was at the foot of the stairs yelling up to the kids that it was almost time, and as usual they were two minutes late. Nellie had her morning planning reasonably under control. After breakfast Bram and Fleur hurried off to school as there had been too much to talk during breakfast, and eating therefore had gone too slow.

***

How were things at school today? asked Harrie as the family sat at the dinner table that evening. Did you have fun?

"Dad... please... That's school! How can you have the funses and laughses there?" Bram sighed. It was clear that Dad had been away from schools since a long time. Or had things changed so much since then?

Bram, proper language please. Nellie didn't like to tell her son off but sometimes he was a bit too liberal with twisting the language to her liking. Bram was very good with languages and he loved playing around with their own language, but they had to put some rules in effect for the boy. Later in life he'd have to speak proper Dutch; his own word creations wouldn't help him then.

Bram just doesn't understand, his sister said. It's a great school and you can learn a lot there. If you pay attention, that is. That was a stab at her brother because she'd heard more than once that he wasn't paying attention.

But I do pay attention, said Bram as he swung his arm out and knocked his glass of water over the table. Fleur almost collapsed with laughter. Harrie and Nellie looked at each other over the table and only with difficulty did they suppress their own laughter. How had they managed to put such a special couple of children in this world! A kitchen towel was used to clean up the water, and after that the rest of the meal went on without incidents. After clearing the table (which was Bram's turn that day) Nellie and Harrie found their spot on the couch in front of the television. Fleur started doing her homework after taking Wammes for his walk and Bram was ordered to start his homework as well. In the living room. Father and mother knew their boy too well; he was very capable of getting lost in a book and forgetting his homework. That had gotten him into problems several times before.

A few hours later Fleur came down again after finishing her homework in her room. All done. She sat down on the couch and peeked at her brother who was still going through the books. Need a hand? She was serious.

As soon as you know how to amputate brains you're welcome. Bram sounded very cross. History. What freaking use is history? Everything in history has already happened!

Amputate brains? With you? That's hardly any work. Fleur grinned. She reached for the earbuds of her phone and switched on her favourite music. Harrie looked at his daughter and snorted behind his hand. That girl's smart, he thought. She'll make it.

Bram cast a glance at his sister. There she is again with that music. Why doesn't she ever read a book? He shook his head and returned to the Dark Ages and all the wars that had been fought then. He had picked that for an essay but history's reality had proven to be far less exciting than he'd originally assumed. The wars back then were a far cry from the epic battles in his fantasy books. The kings were brutes, the regular people in those days understood nothing of anything, and there were no dragons nor other monsters. The lack of dragons annoyed Bram the most.

He spent another half hour sighing, writing, erasing and rewriting, and after that he gave up. Good thing the piece didn't need to be finished the next day, and he'd done the rest of his homework. Ready, he announced and waited for inspection. His Dad did that every evening since Bram had received an official reprimande at school. 'Lack of interest' they'd called it. Ridiculous. The few facts he had improvised had sounded perfect to him but they had failed to impress the teachers. This evening was a good one; Dad was satisfied.

If you do this a bit quicker next time you'll even have some time to read.

Bram looked at his Dad and then his eyes darted to the clock. Damn it, that late already? He really should do something about that. Fleur had gone to bed already; he hadn't even noticed that. Okay...

Harrie winked at his son. Hurry up then. He knew his son. The boy would spend a few hours reading and the fall asleep with a book on his face. That had happened several times before. That had also initiated Harrie's habit to check Bram's before going to sleep himself. After Bram had disappeared he got a beer for himself and for Nellie he poured a glass of white wine.

I really worry about that boy, said Nellie after Harrie had rejoined her on the couch. His mind is all over the place.

And I'm convinced that's just a phase he's going through. Harrie did understand her. Bram was so entirely different from their daughter who was a fitness fanatic. Fleur also always was first in line to help other people.

Were you the same at his age? Nellie grinned as she looked at her husband. Or do you still have that?

Harrie shrugged. I have no idea. Do you know? We've been married long enough for you to find out. They talked a while longer about their offspring and thought it best to let things run their course with Bram. After all he was doing so much better since a few months.

***

Bram! Fleur! We're going for ice cream! It was Tilly, the baker's daughter who was shouting their names. Are you coming? Bram and Fleur had just unlocked their bicycles and were ready to go home. They decided right then and there that there was still plenty of time for ice cream. After all, it was Friday, it was warm and classes had ended early today.

Of course! With their friends they cycled to the small square near the mall where the best ice cream of the area was made and sold. Of course that place also offered the cheapest ice cream because the life of a student went hand in hand with a constant lack of money.

What are you going to do this weekend? Jan was curious as ever and he had no idea that his ice cream was dripping on his shirt. We're going to the coast. Mum and Dad rented a place there, a caravan or something.

Or something? You don't know that? Tilly was very surprised. And what if it's just a tent?

Jan shrugged. Then I'll sleep in a tent. Who cares. Tilly then revealed she didn't have many plans. Maybe she would go swimming a bit at the Kraaijenberg Lake, a man made recreational area near Cuijk. Want to come? she asked Fleur. Fleur and Tilly were best friends and they always had something important to discuss.

Not tomorrow afternoon, said Fleur. We're going to visit family in Katwijk. She wasn't looking forward to the visit very much but the bike ride to the small village and back would be fun. It would take them along the river Maas and that was a great ride when the weather was nice.

Oh no. Not that. Bram had completely forgotten about that. Well, maybe it will rain. Then he wouldn't have to get on his bicycle and ride all four miles to Katwijk.

I think not, said one of their friends. It's going to stay warm until the end of next week. Isn't that a bummer, buster. Bram played the defeated one for a while. He liked that kind of acting, especially if it made others laugh.

Come on, Bram, we have to go too, otherwise Mum will be nagging at us all evening again, said Fleur when Tilly started to say goodbye to the others. I'll see you on Sunday, Til!

Where will you two be lying? Then I'll come and take pictures, said Jan. As a token of the girls' gratitude he got slapped over the head. Tilly was good at slapping and Jan had clearly counted on that. Sometimes it looked as if he was begging for one of her slaps, Fleur thought. She thought that he secretly had a crush on Tilly. Something to discuss with her next Sunday. Still laughing the two then left for home.

Chapter 2.

Bram! Come down! We're leaving!

You can go, I'll catch up with you later! Bram was in his room and his favourite chair, reading a marvellous story that he got dragged out of yet again. Great, he muttered as he switched off his e-reader.

No, you won't! his father yelled up from the hall downstairs. Dad knew his son well. If they would leave now they wouldn't see Bram for the rest of that afternoon.

All right, all right, I'm coming... Bram stomped down the stairs and walked outside. Blinking against the sunlight he unlocked his bike. Then he announced that he'd been waiting in his room for everyone to get ready. Over the narrow path behind the house and the garden they reached the street and rode towards the Market. Bram did his best not to look at the library when they turned off onto the Maas Boulevard. It's warm, Bram stated, can we stop for a moment? He didn't wait for a response, stopped and took off his jacket. He stuffed it under the luggage strap of his bike and decided he felt a lot better this way. His room had been much cooler and with his face in a book he hadn't noticed the warm weather. Well, he hadn't noticed anything, because of the book. Maybe sunglasses would have been a good idea also.

I like this, said Fleur. She enjoyed the ride. Katwijk could be many more miles away as far as she was concerned, but then Bram would only go there with bad weather. Then they would only go there by car. The Maas river was a popular spot in this nice weather; everywhere she saw boats of many sizes with people who enjoyed the weather as much as she did.

Did you put on sunscreen? Nellie was worried about her daughter. Fleur had a very pale skin and got sunburnt very quickly.

Three times, Fleur reassured her. That should last me until next year. That was exaggerated of course, but it made Nellie feel a lot better. Fleur was a cheerful girl but she could be an absolute horror when something was wrong with her.

The bike ride to Katwijk went quickly. There were many cyclists out and about, and also lots of people walking along the bike path. The nice weather had lured everyone outside.

I always get the shivers when I see those things, said Bram. Harrie had already expected something like that from his son. He always said something like that when they rode past the old bunkers, the reminders of the second World War. In those concrete blocks many Dutch soldiers, some of these boys barely Bram's age, had given their lives while trying to stop the huge German army. Harrie had talked about that war with Bram very often. The boy was always busy with his fantasy world and his books that war at some point had looked and sounded like something wonderful. As soon as Bram had been old enough to learn about it he had heard the stories from his grandparents who'd lived through that war. That had radically changed his attitude towards such violence. Harrie sometimes wondered if Bram hadn't shifted to the opposite side of that too much because the boy always seemed to shy away from such war relics if they passed them.

Just keep going, Bram, father Harrie said. These things are from the past. The war is behind us and that's where it should stay. Enjoy your life the way it is now. Never forget that people fought for that freedom, but don't go down in that battle of the past.

You know, Dad, sometimes you say things in a very difficult way, Bram said, but I understand. He sat up straight and looked at the end of the cycle path. Usually that helped him get over the feeling. And Dad... thank you.

Harrie winked at his son. Sure, son. Anytime. From that point on the ride was a lot more pleasant for Bram and soon they rode into Katwijk. After a few turns into streets they were at the house of Uncle Henk and Aunt Dien. Fleur kept her finger on the door bell until the door was opened.

Henk, they're here! Dien Bastiaanse called out to her husband to announce the visitors. Come in, come in. You must be very warm. Henk is out back, just walk on. The Kortooms family marched through the hall and into the kitchen, and from there onto the terrace behind the house. Chairs were already waiting for them and Fleur then rushed back inside to see if she could lend a hand in the kitchen. Bram didn't sit down either. He walked over to the little pond to see if all the goldfish were still there.

Can I throw in some food? he asked while he already had the jar in his hands. His uncle said that was fine, and soon Bram was counting. Fleur came out of the kitchen because Aunt Dien had everything prepared already and went to help Bram with counting fish. While the kids were enjoying themselves with the goldfish, Harrie and Nellie had plenty of time to talk with their family. The visit was off to a good and relaxed start. After a while Nellie called Bram and Fleur over to the table. Aunt Dien had made all kinds of snacks and those needed to be eaten. As usual the Kortooms family was prepared for that. Dien always made huge amounts of snacks. No one had ever felt like dinner after such a visit. While the first load of snacks was attacked Dien asked the kids how they were doing in school. Dien and Henk had never had children of their own, so they occasionally 'borrowed' those of Nellie and Harrie. Bram and Fleur thought that fun.

Bram, boy, you should pay better attention, said Uncle Henk after hearing Bram's account. School's important, you know that, don't you? He got up and went inside. Soon he returned with two small boxes, one of which he handed to his wife. The other box was for Bram. Here you are, son. Aunt and I saved this for a long time for you. Maybe when you have this you'll be paying more attention to what you do with your time. The box was opened quickly.

Dang! Look at that! That's a pretty clock! Or watch! Bram held up the antique pocket watch, very carefully showing it around.

Uncle Henk grinned. It was my grandfather's, he said, it's really very old. Bram stared at the watch and then hugged his uncle, thanking him profoundly for such a surprising gift. Nellie and Harrie weren't certain if this had been a smart gift. Bram often wasn't in the habit of handling his belongings with care. But Henk had already handed the watch over so they would just hope for the best. After that it was Fleur's turn and she got the second little box. She opened it and then held up a dark, round thing that hung from a silver chain.

That's an ancient Roman coin, Dien explained. That didn't belong to any grandparent but Henk found it himself and we had it made into a necklace.

Shouldn't you report finds like that? Nellie thought she'd heard of that but she wasn't entirely certain.

I dug it from the ground myself, Henk said, so it's mine.

Not everything you get from the ground is automatically your property. Harrie stood by his wife in that respect. The area where they lived was a treasure trove for archaeologists who had already unearthed many amazing Roman artefacts. Some very old items should be reported, although I wouldn't know where. We could find out though. But Uncle Henk didn't want to know about that.

What they don't know won't get them upset, was his simple reasoning. As long as Fleur enjoys the gift. With a satisfied look he watched Fleur who was already wearing the necklace. She beamed with happiness and hugged her uncle and aunt several times out of gratitude.

The youngsters were quite impressed with these clearly expensive gifts and didn't leave the table for the remainder of the visit. The plate with snacks was constantly refilled which was of course a big help in keeping Bram and Fleur near. Only by the time Bram announced he was close to exploding did Harrie decide it was time for the family to go home. We should do that while they can still move, he joked, otherwise Nellie and I will have to roll them over the cycle path.

It's not that bad with me yet, Fleur exclaimed. I can out-bike every single one of you! Everyone laughed at that. Nellie offered to help clean up but Dien didn't want to hear of that.

You still have to ride all the way to Cuijk. I can handle this. That was the final word and soon the family was on the way home.

Pooh, I think my belt shrunk back there, Bram said before they were halfway. But it was so good.

Fleur laughed at him. Then we'll have to ride even further, or you won't fit through the door at home. Bram had preferred to go straight home but he couldn't let his sister win this so he set off as fast as he could. Fleur screamed for fun, she enjoyed a challenge, and she went off in hot pursuit of her brother. I'm gonna get you!

At that speed they'll be in Boxmeer, ten miles from home, before we get to the front door, said Nellie as she and her husband were grinning at the antics of their offspring.

Just let them go. They'll sleep well and we'll have a quiet evening. Harrie was glad his wife kept their speed low. His stomach also endured lots of snacks and those influenced his cycling capacity. Okay, perhaps some of the beers had their influence as well.

If they really stop in Boxmeer we'll have to go get them.

Harrie grinned. No problem. We'll just get the car. That was a pleasant solution.

After a while the couple reached the old loading quay where cattle used to be brought in and taken out of the village but there was no trace of their children. They went on, said Nellie. They went fast enough for that.

And they're crazy enough for that too, Harrie agreed. They decided to ride on a little further so they continued the route along the river Maas. There they are. He pointed ahead. They're sitting with the bull. Slowly they rode their way up the steep end and then got off their bicycles. The parents appreciated that break.

Finally. We wondered if you were ever going to make it all the way here. We're getting hungry again! Bram had a big grin on his face. Harrie wouldn't be surprised if the boy would be able to put away a meal again; sometimes he was a bottomless pit!

Since when is this bull here? Fleur sat on the concrete block which supported the statue and she patted the metal shape. It must be a hundred years old.

It's not that old, said Harrie. The bull was moved here in 1958 when the mayor of Cuijk had bought it. He found the statue at the world exhibition in Brussels and he contacted the man who made it.

So what do we need a bull for? Bram didn't recall ever seeing bulls in town.

"That, my dear son, is history, said his mother with an evil, little grin. Cuijk used to have a thriving cattle trade market long ago, and this bull is a symbol for that."

Oh. Well, why didn't someone from here make a bull then? It doesn't look that difficult. Fleur patted the bull's metal chest. Isn't that so, metal head?

That's not his head, Bram pointed out. His head is up there, over yours.

Fleur stuck her tongue out at her brother. His head is over mine but it looks like yours!

Harrie and Nellie couldn't hold back their laughter and then said, You can stay here if you'd like to but we're going home. Bram looked indecisive for a moment. It was very nice here outside, but at home his book was waiting for him. When Fleur announced she would go home with her parents to watch some TV he decided to go along.

When they were ready to leave for home Bram looked back at the bull. 1958. That's long ago. He frowned. I didn't even exist then.

Nor did your Dad and I, said his mother. That revelation made that Bram looked even more surprised. He hadn't even thought of that.

I'll race you home, Fleur exclaimed and took off as fast as she could. Bram went after her while uttering a war cry. Harrie and Nellie laughed about their kids again.

It's great that they get along so well, said Nellie. Harrie agreed wholeheartedly with that. They knew parents where the children made each other's lives a living hell. Then they rode home as well, at a pace that agreed more with being parents.

Chapter 3.

Leave me alone. Fleur felt as if she'd never been further from happy. She'd been to the Kraaijenberg Lakes with her friend Tilly, to talk and catch some sunshine, but they had both fallen asleep and caught too much sunshine; they both were seriously burnt. Fleur with her pale skin had gotten the worst of it. It hurts, Mum!

Nellie said nothing. This just had to happen once. That would be a far better warning than telling her daughter a thousand times to use sunscreen and be careful in the sun. She did feel very sorry for her child because Fleur had really turned red on her arms and legs. Luckily the trees they'd been under had prevented her from getting burnt even worse. Come on, let's get you to the shower.

Shower? Why's that?

You need to cool down under cold water. We need to get the fire out of your skin, Nellie explained. And quickly because the longer you wait the worse you'll feel. Fleur carefully walked into the bathroom and peeled her clothes off until she only had her bikini on. Nellie helped the girl because Fleur squeaked quite often.

Not too cold, Fleur said as she stepped into the shower cabin. AAAAAHH!! The water wasn't very cold yet but on her overheated skin it felt as if ice was poured over her. Mum told her that she had to stand still but she should try that herself! Fleur closed her eyes and shivered as the water ran over her.

Wha'happened? Bram, curious as ever, halfway entered the bathroom when he discovered the source of the screams. Ouch. He did the only clever thing: he disappeared from the danger zone. One second later everything in and around the house shook. Fleur screamed with fright and also Nellie was shocked. Thunder, Bram said as he returned to the bathroom for a moment. Thunder, lightning and rain. Lots of rain. You should go outside.

Not even when I'm dead, Fleur told him, unless you go outside with me. The cold water was slowly starting to help her feel better.

Big bluff, Bram said.

Fleur wiped wet hair from her eyes. Swimming pants on. I'll see you outside.

You're both mad. You're not going outside with thunder and lightning, mother Nellie objected. One child burnt is bad enough. I'm not ready for two that got toasted.

The chances of getting hit by lightning are very small, Mum. Bram tried to convince her.

Just for a short time, Mum? Fleur had cooled down enough to be in favour of this crazy idea. Just a quick dash outside and then back inside. In the rain, right? And you're coming with me? Fleur saw Bram rush off. He was definitely going to put on his swimwear.

Come with you? Did your brain get burnt too? Nellie couldn't believe she'd been asked outside. It's raining!

Come on! Bram was in the hall and before Nellie could do anything Fleur had left the shower and walked to the hall. Bram had already opened the front door and together they went outside, stepped over the iron grate in front of the door and then they stood on the small garden's lawn.

Wammes! Harrie yelled but the dog didn't feel like listening. Mere seconds later he came running outside and started running around Bram and Fleur in the small front garden. And all that in the pouring rain while lightning illuminated the neighbourhood. For a moment Fleur forgot her burnt limbs and raised her arms up to the falling rain.

Look at those two savages, Harrie said to his wife. They were in the hall, looking out. Are those really ours? Another lightning bolt pierced the sheets of rain. This one was so fierce that they could actually hear it and then they heard a bang so loud that the windows rattled. Wammes rushed inside, promptly followed by the two savages. This was a bit too much violence from nature.

Hey, you two, Nellie called out, into the bathroom with you. Dry off before you splatter all over the hall. After all the carpet in here was only a few months old. From inside the bathroom Bram asked if anyone had seen where the lightning had struck. The noise had been so bad that it had to have happened.

If it hit then we'll hear about that tomorrow, said Harrie. I'm not going out to look for it.

It was really cool to be out there, Bram then shared. The sound