A/N: In this story I have changed the reasons for the Aldens being orphans, being alone in a forest and a couple other small details. This story only uses the characters and main ideas of “The Boxcar Children”. It is mainly about their life in the woods, because that aspect of their unique story has always fascinated me. But, do not think that they will not solve any mysteries! They’ll solve plenty throughout this story! I hope you will take the time to read it and comment. Be honest!

Disclaimer: I do not own “The Boxcar Children” nor any of the characters or certain aspects included in this story.

. Magically Me

The boxcar shivered and shook, but the cement pillars holding it up stood firm. Henry Alden straightened up and wiggled his aching arms to stretch them out. His younger sister, Violet, followed suit, sighing heavily at the work still to do before the boxcar was a suitable home for the winter. The youngest of the Alden children, Benny, came around the corner- arms full of blankets he had bought from the general store in town. Jessie, the 10 year old, came right behind him with a grin on her face and lugging a shopping cart filled with groceries.

The Alden children were orphans, their parents had died in a fire and all their possessions had been burned. The Alden children had lived on a farm with few friends, so when their parents died they simply wandered away into the hills. They set up a camp by a small stream, found a box-car and a set of old rail-road tracks and made house there. They were happy, they had had enough money in saving to support them and the boys sometimes did odd jobs for folks in town. The Alden’s did not want to be adopted by anybody, they were afraid of being separated. So, they did not tell anyone they were orphans. They merely pretended to have a sick mother and a dead father and they never talked to anyone much, anyway.

Violet beckoned to the younger children. Leaning over so as to be the same height as 5 year old Benny she said, “Now, dears, come on, go inside and have a look. Henry and I have cleaned it up some.” She smiled in anticipation of the surprise they would get.

An excited Benny dropped his blankets and ran inside. Violet leaned forward to pick up the discarded blankets and they heard a shout of delight from inside the boxcar. Jessie went inside too, eager to see what it was that had made Benny shout so. From Jessie’s eyes nothing looked different, there- in one corner- were two hammocks suspended (Henry’s handiwork) and two mattresses under them.

By the beds was a small wood-burning stove and a roughly-made table Henry had fashioned, as well as several crates for seats and some plates and bowls Jessie had created using clay from the nearby creek. But as Jessie’s eyes looked over to the left of the huge boxcar she spotted a big, fluffy animal with two chubby arms around it. Jessie squealed in delight and ran over to the dog. “Oh, how splendid!” she breathed. Violet and Henry glanced at each other and smiled. The dog had wondered up, and it looked like it was here to stay. Henry was glad, a watch-dog would be nice.

Violet deposited the blankets on one of the mattresses and walked over to Benny and Jessie, pulling Henry along with her. “What do you think we should name him?” she asked. Benny, in the meantime, had already figured out a trick the collie could perform. “Watch!” he laughed, pointing to the dog’s paw that was poised as if to shake hands with someone. Henry laughed, “Watch sounds like a good name to me.” And so it was.