May 18 1872. It was the birthday of Adam Cartwright. His nine year old son Mitch was with his inseparable friend Cody in
Virginia City to buy a belated present for his father. He had the foggiest idea of what his father would like and so he decided just to buy something.
In the shop window of Dan Miller the boy saw suddenly a very funny book. The title of it was called: “HOW DO I BECOME NORMAL WITHOUT BRAINS?” A smirk came upon the face of the young Cartwright.
“Cody, we are not going to look any further but we buy that book for daddy”, Mitch said.
They went inside.
Mitch asked the shopkeeper, “Mr Miller, I’d like to buy that book which stands in the shop window. It is a present for daddy. Can you wrap it up for me?”
Dan walked to the shop window and got the book.
“I am sure that Adam won’t appreciate it. Especially when you give it to him’, Dan said chuckling.
“Then he mustn’t tease me”, the boy reacted light-hearted.
Dan wrapped it up nicely and got the money which Ben had given his grandson.
Mitch went home with Cody in a corny mood. The boy knew from before that this might be the last birthday of Adam he would attending but the young baseball player took that risk.
When the boy and dog were almost home Hoss and Little Joe came riding towards them.
“We were waiting for you. Adam wants to cut the cake but you stayed away with Cody”, Little Joe said.
“I had to buy a present for my lovely celebrating daddy”, Mitch reacted laughing.
He told them what he had bought. Hoss and Little Joe couldn’t stop laughing. After the fit of laughter they rode home to get the cake inside of them.
At entering the house Mitch said, “Daddy, happy birthday but before I give you my present, promise me that you won’t kill me.’
“I promise”, Adam said with his hand on his heart.
He got the present of his son and unwrapped it. For the security Mitch remained standing at the front door.
Adam looked at the book and said, “You really know what you must give me for my birthday. I will get you. No cake for the kid!”
Mitch looked at his grandpa for support and he defended the boy like usual.
“Adam, Mitch means it well and you know that the truth is hard. Even for a celebrating Cartwright”, Ben said calm.
Then Hop Sing came in with the coffee and milk and cake. Adam cut the lemon cake in equal pieces but gave his son a smaller piece because he knew that Mitch didn’t like lemon cake very much.
During the coffee Mitch asked Adam, “Can you use the book?”
“I will read it and then I will let you know. Thanks anyway kid”, he answered.
“By that book you know how you become normal but not how you stay it”, Hoss said.
“He will get that book next year for his birthday’, Mitch reacted dry.
Everybody laughed. It was clear that Mitch had bought once again a very special present for one of his celebrating family members. He always could surprise them with something different.