Lil Mack JR
by
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The story of Li’l Mack Jr. begins at the REO production plant in Lansing, Michigan. The date is April 2, 1936, and excitement is buzzing about a new E series Mack truck that will be introduced to the public. This particular model of truck will be smaller than its predecessors, but is to be just as tough as its older brothers and sisters. This is the day Li’l Mack Jr was born. He would be a fire engine red fireball who would prove himself against all others. The era was right in the middle of the Great Depression, a challenging time for the people of the United States.
A challenge was exactly how Li’l Mack liked things. He was always trying to show his worth as a work truck and the times were right for him to do just that. His first owner was none other than the United States Government. The purchasing agent that acquired him could somehow see his potential, and made that known to his superiors. Li’l Mack was put right to work on the Tennessee Valley Authority project set forth by the President at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt. His first job was to haul equipment and material at a job site that was building a hydro-electric plant in West Virginia. He worked long 18 hour days with barely a complaint. Doing the best job he could, was all that mattered to Li’l Mack, and he made sure the other trucks around him knew that. He would sometimes be overloaded with supplies and would struggle through the mud up hills to get to his destination. The bigger trucks would watch him as he struggled with his 6 cyl. engine at maximum power to get his supplies from point A to point B. The bigger trucks were impressed. This in turn made them perform better so as too not be out done by the smaller hauler. The foreman and workers took notice too. Their goals were being met ahead of schedule, and they knew they had Li’l Mack to thank for that. One night, after all the workers were gone, Li’l Mack was sleeping near the foreman's office after a hard day of work. He was dreaming of all the good hauls he had done that day on the job site. All of a sudden he was awaken by a horn that sounded like a freight train on the job site. He nearly jumped right out of his tires from the sound. Shakily he looked up to see a very big truck staring down at him. He was much smaller than the rig he was looking at, and it made Li’l Mack a little nervous. "Hi, my name is Li’l Mack JR. Who are you and why did you startle me?" The truck answered him in a rough surly voice. "Why do you work so hard? Don't you know you are making some of us look bad by how hard you work? I am a lot older and slower than you. If you make the foreman keep up this pace, I’m going to blow a gasket and they'll send me to the scrap yard. Do you want to see that happen?" Li’l Mack shook his front end answering with a "no sir !" "Well then cut it out or else some of us might do something like drain your oil, or plug up your tail pipe. Do you want that," he asked the terrified Li’l Mack? Li’l Mack was about to nod no again when a voice came from off to the side. "All right that's enough Cranky," the voice said. "Leave the kid alone. He’s just doing his job." The voice was that of another truck at the site named Big Red. He was a big heavy duty Mack that was used on the job to move all the heavy loads. He was a truck that old Cranky wanted no part of. "I'm just trying to protect my future, that's all," Cranky said. "Well, you've said your piece, now roll on back to your spot," insisted Big Red. Cranky looked right at Li’l Mack as he backed up till he was out of site. Li’l Mack was still trembling from the confrontation. "You all right" Big Red asked Li’l Mack? "Yeah I’m ok....I’m just doing my job that's all." Big Red agreed. "I know kid, but these older fellas get scared that they'll be scraped if they don't perform. That old Cranky does that to all the new comers. See, he's a 1927 Sterling, thinks he owns the place. He was a tough truck in his day, but he knows his days are numbered. Pay him no mind. His smoke is worse than his fire now. Anyhow, most of the other trucks don't feel that way about you. They know that you make life easier on the men, so they take it easy on us. We think you're doin’ a fine job." Li’l Mack relaxed a bit. "Well thanks mister....." "They call me Big Red, and I’m kind of the four wheel foreman around here. It's refreshing to see some new rubber around here, especially one that works like you do. Just remember, if you need help don't be afraid to ask." Big Red started to back away to get to his spot. "OK sir, will do!" Li’l Mack said respectfully. "Thanks again." Big Red blinked his lights at Li’l Mack and fit himself back into his berth. Li’l Mack sighed, and went back to sleep waiting for the next day’s work to come.
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About the Book
Li'l Mack Jr.is the story of an E series Mack truck known as the Mack Jr. The story begins in 1936 when Li'l Mack Jr. rolls off the assembly line. He goes through trials and tribulations in life that teach him to be the best he can through his work and his many acquaintances. It is his mission in life to show that he can be as useful and important as the bigger trucks through his performance and attitude. He leads a full and important life confronting war, death and other obsticles that need support from friends and family to ease the burden.
The book was written to be a positive influence to children and to help them understand the ups and downs associated with life. It shows that no matter what problems you are confronted with, you can face them through being strong willed, determined and have a positive attitude no matter what odds you are up against. Even though it is written for a younger crowd, it can be enjoyed by children from 1 to 100 and beyond. I hope you enjoy reading it to your children, or by yourself. It is my hope that Li'l Mack Jr. leaves you feeling better about yourself and the world around you and that you come away from it with a smile on your face. Enjoy!
About the Author
I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey August 27 1962. I began my writing career at the age of 9 sending short stories to my aunt Millie in Baltimore for her to enjoy. I have always had a love for writing, and I have written other novels some of which will be published hopefully in the near future. I am a graduate of Rowan University class of 88' with a B.A. in History. I now reside in New Hampshire; a state with the beauty and serenity that allow me to write with pleasure and fluidity. I plan on continuing my writing career as long as my hands and brain will allow me, so stay tuned...........