The Model T Tire Story

One hot, summer day Aunt Reba and Uncle Jeff were going down the gravel road into town in their four door Model T Ford Sedan. As they approached a large black woman toting a basket of eggs, Aunt Reba said to Uncle Jeff, “Jeff, look at that poor soul out in this heat, carrying that large basket, and with the sweat pouring. Stop and pick her up.” Uncle Jeff was not very enthusiastic about stopping for her but he finally pulled alongside the black woman and asked if she would like to ride with them. She answered, “I sho’ would.” Uncle Jeff forgetting that weak tire with the big boot on the right rear, reached across, unlatched, and opened the right back door for her. The large black woman walked up to the rear end of the right running board and placed a foot upon it.

As she came up with the other foot transferring her weight to the car’s running board, that left rear tire blew out. The black woman without a word, backed down to place her feet back onto the ground. Without saying a word she turned and proceeded down the road with her eggs. Uncle Jeff asked Aunt Reba, “Who now is going to help poor Ole Jeff fix that flat tire?”

This was written by Roy C Watson on July 3, 1988 at Jackson, Mississippi