The Adventures of the Little Voice Story Number 4

By R. M. Walters

Bill Loudspout was a boastful man.  According to most of his friends, there just wasn't much that he wasn't successful at.  Why, if it hadn't been for Bill the United States wouldn't even have won World War Two.  Trouble was, nobody would believe him.  And Bill wanted to prove that he was all he said he was and then some.

It was at the office picnic that Bill hot his chance to prove his superb abilities.  The whole office gang and their families were out playing and having their Sunday fun.  Bill had sat on the side line with more than his share of beer and exciting the ears of just about everyone within ear shot of the beer keg with his adventurous escapades.  

Bill heard a tiny voice sympathize with him.  It said,  "Today is your chance to prove how big you are!"  

Bill thought, by diddly-duddly I think I will.  

So when the annual race for swimmers was announced, Mr. Bill Loudspout proclaimed that he would not only win the race but that he would continue across the lake and reach the other side before any of the other contestants would reach the finish line.  

The little Voice exclaimed, "That's it Bill!  Tell them a thing or two!"  

Bill's wife said, "Now Bill!  Don't you dare.  You know your just showing off."  

The Little voice said, "Oh, don't pay any attention to her!  She doesn't know what she is talking about.  Get out there and show these unbelievers what you can do!"  

It wasn't five minutes later that Bill appeared in his bathing suit flexed his over sized beer belly and dived into the water just one minute after the starting gun had sounded for the race to begin.  

He cut a clean figure in the water.  In fact, most of the people thought he was going to make good on his boast.  Well, Bill won the race but about half way across the lake he disappeared.  

There were quite a few discussions about Bill Loudspout for the next few hours while the authorities dragged the lake for his body.  But most everyone agreed that as they placed Bills remains in the hearse a Little Voice was heard to remark several times, "Weakling!  Nothing but a weakling!"