THE BEAUTIFUL SWAN
By: Deborah S.
 
 
Ben Cartwright sat at his desk doing paperwork. He heard a horse ride up 
and got up to look out the window behind his desk. It was his twenty-one 
year old Grandson, Adam. He walked to the front door to open it. Adam 
walked in placing his back hat on the wood pegs next to the door then 
leaning. “Hello Grandpa,” he said as he faced Ben.
 
“Hello Little Adam. I thought you were supposed to be out helping Hoss and 
Joe repair that fence,” Ben asked.
 
“I will but I wanted to talk to you first,” Little Adam replied looking over 
at the living room. “I knew Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe wouldn’t be here and I 
wanted to speak with you privately,” he said. Ben led his grandson over to 
the living room. “Why don’t you take the blue chair and I’ll sit in my 
leather chair,” Ben stated.
 
“No I would prefer to sit on the hearth if you don’t mind,” Little Adam 
replied walking towards the fireplace. Once seated by his grandpa’s chair 
Ben sat as well. Ben took a good look at his grandson. How he has filled 
out just like his father. How he now had the shadow like his father from 
the heavy beard he shaved each day. How his chest once bare now had dark 
hair covering it. If it hadn’t been for his son being older and a little 
grey now you couldn’t tell them apart. Just the color of the eyes and the 
thicker black hair his grandson had. When they wore their hats it was hard 
to tell who they were. Even Little Adam’s fairer skin would tan and be more 
like his fathers.
 
“Little Adam what’s on your mind son?” Ben asked.
 
“I wish you wouldn’t call me Little Adam. I’m not little anymore,” he said.
 
“Well son we call you that because it gets confusing to call you Adam with 
your father being an Adam as well. Is there something you’d rather we call 
you instead?” Ben asked. Little Adam sat there thinking. “I don’t know,” 
he replied.
 
“What’s on your mind son?” Ben asked again.
 
“Grandpa can I come and live with you and Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe?” Little 
Adam asked looking into his grandpa’s eyes. Ben sat back in his chair. 
“Your parent’s house is just a couple of acres away from here son,” he 
said.
 
“You don’t understand grandpa,” Little Adam replied.
 
“Is it the noise from your younger brothers and sisters bothering you? I 
know two sets of twins and now a newborn baby brother can be a lot for a 
young man to handle at times,” Ben said.
 
“It’s not that. It’s not Elizabeth and Benjamin or Amanda or Eric or baby 
Joseph. It’s my father,” he said looking down. Ben nodded his head. “Oh I 
see. Would you like to talk about it?” Ben asked. Little Adam stood up and 
walked a few steps away. He found himself facing that blue chair that was 
identified as his fathers. “My father and I had an argument this morning,” 
Little Adam said.
 
“Would you like to tell me about the argument?” Ben asked. Little Adam 
turned to face him before walking over to sit on the edge of the coffee 
table in front of his grandfather. “As you know when I graduated from high 
school I wasn’t ready to leave for college. I wanted to give it a few years 
before I went. My father accepted this because he knew it was important to 
me to be part of our family after everything. He asked me to apply to his 
old college this morning. Said it was time. Gave me the old how important 
college is speech. How he wanted me to follow in his footsteps and become 
an architect like him. I told him I wanted to think about it some more. 
Said he didn’t know what more there was to think about. That’s when the 
argument began and I left,” Little Adam finished looking down at his folded 
hands.
 
“Son what do you want to do with you life?” Ben asked. Little Adam looked 
up at him. It was the first time someone cared about what he wanted. 
“Grandpa I want to stay here on The Ponderosa. I want to work it and I want 
to marry Sarah Hamilton. We’ve known each other for years now and I want to 
stay here. I want my father to design a house for us and I want he and I to 
build it together,” Little Adam replied.
 
“Is Sarah Hamilton your Beautiful Swan?” Ben asked.
 
“Yes she is,” Little Adam replied.
 
“Son have you opened the barn door with Sarah?” Ben asked. Little Adam 
looked off to the side. “I haven’t opened the barn door for anyone yet. 
I’ve wanted to but I want my first time to be special. Something I do with 
someone I really love and care about. Not with a badger AKA saloon girl,” he 
replied. Ben was relieved to hear this.
 
“Grandpa can I ask you something?”
 
“Of course,” Ben replied.
 
“I look and I speak just like my father does. He can sing like I can’t 
though,” Little Adam said.
 
“Well your father had singing lessons and you didn’t,” Ben replied.
 
“He also can read Shakespear. He reads it in the evenings sometimes for us. 
 He’s fantastic grandpa. Once when everyone was away I tried to read it 
like him. I couldn’t. I hate Shakespear but I love how my father reads it. 
 I asked my mother about it one time and she told me a story. Told me how 
my father got involved some in theater in college. How he was so fantastic 
and could have been a stage star with his singing and acting abilities. She 
told me there were some who didn’t want my father to succeed so they 
sabotaged what career he could have had. I feel the world has lost 
something in not having that part of my father. She told me they could take 
that away from him but they couldn’t take the man he was away,” Little Adam 
said.
 
“Your father is quite a man,” Ben stated.
 
“Yeah he is. He’s also hard to follow,” Little Adam stated.
 
“Son have you told your father about what you would like to do?” Ben asked.
 
“Oh no you see my father doesn’t care about what I want. Just what he 
expects of me,” Little Adam replied.
 
“That’s not true and you know it. Your father cares about you as your own 
person . He’s a father, Adam. Fathers tend to want what’s best for their 
children. They sometimes think they know what’s best. Let me tell you a 
story about a man I know very well. He had a dream. A dream that he spent 
many years dreaming. Then he spent many years fulfilling his dream. His 
dream included his sons. That they would always be a part of that dream. 
One day one of his sons came up to him and told him he didn’t have the same 
dream. That his dream was to go to college and study architecture. The man 
was shocked but he also realized for the first time that his son wasn’t him. 
 That he was a completely different person. When the man said good-bye to 
his son the day he left for college he thought it was forever. That his son 
would never be a part of his dream again,” Ben stated.
 
“You’re speaking of you and my father aren’t you?” Little Adam asked.
 
“Yes. Your father knows what it’s like to dream something different from 
his father. Go to him and speak to him man to man. Do it on neutral 
grounds. Say his favorite place for instance. If you’d like I could have 
your father meet you there this morning. You shouldn’t let this go on any 
longer then you have to,” Ben stated.
 
“You’re right. Would you do that Grandpa?” Little Adam asked.
 
“Yes, yes I will. You get going now and I’ll have him meet you there,” Ben 
replied.
 
Awhile later Ben walked to Adam and Rebecca’s very large two-story home. 
Adam was standing out front watching his children play. When the children 
saw him they called out “grandpa” and ran to him. He loved his 
grandchildren and gave them all hugs and picked as many up as he could. 
Once inside he asked to speak to Adam alone. They walked a ways to his 
office. “What is it Pa?” Adam asked sitting behind his desk. Ben sat in 
the burgundy wing chair just in front of it.
 
“I had a visit from a young man who had a disagreement with his father this 
morning. I think the young man needs to speak with his father alone and at 
his father’s favorite place. If I were his father I would go and soon,” Ben 
said.
 
“I presume we are talking about my son,” Adam said.
 
“Yes Adam your son. Not you but your son. Adam you have to realize 
something. Not only is your son named after you but he looks exactly like 
you. He also speaks and talks like you. He has the same personality as you. 
Because of all these things sometimes it may feel like it’s you all over 
again. I could see that happening. Don’t let that confuse you into not 
realizing that he isn’t you. Before you go to meet him I would like you to 
do me a favor,” Ben said.
 
“What?” Adam replied.
 
“Remember along the way there the day you told me you wanted to go to 
college and not live on The Ponderosa anymore. How hard it was for you to 
approach me. How you didn’t want to hurt me but it was what you had to do. 
You had to Adam because it was your life not mine to live. Also think about 
a name for your son besides Little Adam. He’s a man now Adam and he needs 
to be treated like one. Don’t become his grandfather and try to run his 
life like he did,” Ben said.
 
“Is that all?” Adam asked.
 
“You never told me about the theater in college. I feel sorry for what 
happened to you where your acting career was concerned. The world lost 
something very special from what your wife told your oldest son,” Ben said 
before leaving the room. Adam sat there.
 
In the parlor Rebecca was nursing Joseph. She had a blanket over his face 
for privacy. Ben smiled at her. “Well my dear Hop Sing said to give you 
and that husband of yours a message for him,” he said.
 
“Oh poor Hop Sing. He’s so tired of helping with these babies and those 
messy diapers. That‘s why we hired Sarah Hamilton to help out with the 
children. As you can see by looking at them out front with her, she’s 
wonderful with them. I can only imagine what his message is,” Rebecca 
replied. Adam walked in the room and kissed his wife on the lips before 
sitting down next to her. He lifted up the blanket just enough to see his 
son’s face. He was almost asleep. Ben loved seeing his son so happy. 
“What is it Hop Sing wanted to say Pa?” Adam asked.
 
“Hop Sing say he want you get separate bedroom. Either that or bunk bed,” 
Ben replied laughing. They all laughed. Once Joseph was finished nursing 
Adam took him from Rebecca and burped him. “You can tell Hop Sing that 
Joseph here is our last. We think six children are enough especially when 
our oldest is a man now. Right pa?” Adam asked looking his father in the 
eyes.
 
“Yes son that’s right,” Ben replied proud of his son. “Oh and about Sarah 
Hamilton. A fine young lady wouldn’t you agree?” Ben asked. Adam looked 
at his wife and gave her a certain look. “My father is being very 
mysterious today. I think what he is not trying to say is perhaps that 
Sarah may someday be more then hired help,” he finished looking up at his 
father. “Well my love I need to go and meet someone. I’ll be back later. 
Maybe grandpa here would like to help out,” he said before getting up and 
going out the front door.
 
Sarah watched Adam come outside. “Sarah may I have a word with you for a 
moment please?” Adam asked. Sarah walked over to him. “Sarah you have 
been doing a wonderful job here. Both Rebecca and I are very pleased with 
your work. Sarah I get the feeling you are a beautiful swan.” She looked at 
him blushing. He walked off. “Beats being a badger,” he said 
lightheartedly walking towards the barn. Sarah laughed to herself.
 
Little Adam stood by the lake. His stomach felt like it was in knots. He 
heard a horse ride up and knew it had to be his father. A few moments later 
it was confirmed. “Hello son,” his father replied putting his hand on his 
son’s shoulder. Little Adam looked at him. “Hello father,” Little Adam 
replied.
 
“Seems someone needs to talk,” Adam said putting his hands on both his 
son’s shoulders and turning him around. “Son I know we had a disagreement 
of sorts this morning. I have had many disagreements with my own father. 
It’s part of life. I remember one disagreement in particular we had a long 
time ago. I can’t tell you how long I carried that burden with me before I 
finally talked to him. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my father because I 
felt it would hurt him. I knew how much he had been hurt already. He had 
recently lost his third wife. How could I tell him he was going to lose him 
son as well? Oh not in the same manner but lose him nonetheless. I had 
this drive in me to go to college to study architecture. I couldn’t think 
of anything else. The Ponderosa became secondary to me. There was just 
something in me that had to go. When I finally got the nerve to approach my 
father I didn’t know how to tell him. He looked at my face and knew it was 
important. We sat down and I remember how difficult it was to get the words 
out. How do you tell the man you love and admire that his dream isn’t 
yours,” Adam said.
 
Little Adam looked at his father. “What did grandpa say to you?” he asked.
 
“He said that it was wrong of him to expect me to live my life through his 
dreams. That I had to have my own dreams. I went to college and I’m glad I 
did. I met your mother for one thing and got you out of it. I also lived 
my dream and got my degree. I’m very proud of myself for that. I am very 
proud of you and the man you are. I will always be proud of you no matter 
what you do. I have put college before you and pushed it because you remind 
me so much of me. I think I wanted maybe to live that part of my life again 
through you. That was wrong of me. I know that now. I want you to tell me 
what it is that you want,” Adam stated.
 
Little Adam looked into his father’s eyes. “I want to stay here on The 
Ponderosa. I want to work it with you, Grandpa, Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe. 
I want to have you design a house for me and help me to build it. I want to 
build it alongside my father. I want to marry Sarah and more then anything 
I want to open the barn door,” he finished. They both laughed.
 
Adam put his arm around his son. “I’m glad to hear you haven’t opened that 
barn door and that you waited for your beautiful swan. I see nothing wrong 
with your wanting to stay here and begin your family here. If that is what 
you want then it’s what I want for you. I would be honored to design and 
help build your house with you. Your mother and I would be happy to welcome 
Sarah into our family. She’s a wonderful girl,” he said.
 
“Yes she is that. Thank you,” Little Adam said hugging his father.
 
“Now young man I would like to suggest something to you. Since we will be 
living close to each other and you are now a man, I think we should throw 
Little Adam out the door. Do you have any suggestions?” Adam asked.
 
“How about Adam Benjamin? ” he replied.
 
“OK Adam Benjamin why don’t we go home and I think you may have something 
to discuss with Sarah if I am not mistaken,” Adam said.
 
“Yes sir,” Adam Benjamin replied.
 
Later that day Adam Benjamin drove Sarah Hamilton to his favorite spot. It 
was on a hill overlooking the lake. The same place he first hugged his 
grandpa and told him he loved him. Adam Benjamin was quiet most of the way. 
Sarah hoped she knew why. They walked to look over the view from the hill 
He turned to her and took her hands in his. “Sarah I want you first to know 
how much I love you. That I have loved you for many years now. When I look 
at my life and what’s ahead I see no future without you,” he said getting 
down on one knee. Sarah began to cry holding her hands to her mouth. 
“Sarah would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked. Sarah 
nodded her head then replied, “Yes.” Adam Benjamin stood up and they 
kissed. Afterwards he smiled at her.
 
Once the engagement was finalized Adam went to work on house plans for his 
son and new bride. Once they were completed and accepted he and his son 
went to work. They built most of it together only getting help when they 
needed it. When the complete date was known the invitations were ordered.
 
YOU ARE ALL COORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE WEDDING OF MISS SARAH MARIE 
HAMILTON TO MR. ADAM BENJAMIN ERIC JOSEPH CARTWRIGHT ON SATURDAY THE 5TH OF 
AUGUST AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE HOME OF THE GROOM’S PARENTS. 
RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING.
 
The morning of the wedding there were people decorating the large parlor for 
the wedding. Adam Benjamin went into his father’s office. There he was 
seated behind his desk doing paperwork. “You remind me of grandpa always 
doing paperwork. I’m glad you have lessened his load for him that way,” he 
said.
 
Adam smiled at his son. “So Mr. Cartwright how does it feel to be getting 
married today?” Adam asked.
 
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I want to thank you and mother 
for paying for all of this. For Sarah’s dress and everything. Her parents 
just don’t have the money we do and I know Sarah and they appreciate your 
doing all this. Father may I ask a favor of you?” Adam Benjamin asked. 
Adam stood from his chair and stood in front of his son as he leaned against 
the desk. “Of course,” he replied.
 
“Father will you sing at our wedding? Sarah and I have talked about it and 
it’s what we’d like,” Adam Benjamin said.
 
“I would be honored to sing at my son and future daughter-in-laws wedding. 
Is there anything in particular you’d like me to sing?” Adam asked.
 
“I’ll leave that up to you. I don’t know too many songs,” Adam Benjamin 
replied. Adam hugged his son then looked at him. He could tell he was 
trying not to cry. “What is it son?” Adam asked.
 
“For the first time I miss my grandfather,” he said tears forming in his 
eyes. “I can’t explain it but I wish he could be here for my wedding. I 
wish he could have stayed the man my mother knew as a child,” he said. Adam 
held him. “I know son. I wish that as well. Maybe he will be here. Maybe 
somehow after he died he became the man he used to be and that man will be 
watching. Just as my mother and Inger and Marie will be watching as well,” 
Adam replied still holding his son.
 
“Do you really think that could happen?”  Adam Benjamin asked.
 
“I think anything is possible. We don’t know for sure but in our hearts we 
can hope. And in our hearts they will be here,” Adam replied. Rebecca 
entered the room and saw her two men. “Can a mother join in?” she asked. 
They both opened their arms for her to join them.
 
The wedding was beautiful. Ben Cartwright was his grandson’s best man. 
Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe were the groomsmen. They knew it would have been 
too difficult a decision for Adam Benjamin to choose between them for best 
man. Plus it was the highest honor for their father and rightly so for him 
to be best man. Adam sung a couple of songs. One as Rebecca walked down the 
aisle and the other just before they were declared man and wife. Even 
though Adam Benjamin had heard his father sing many times over the past five 
years it always took his breath away.
 
His parents bought them living room and dining room furniture. Uncle Hoss 
bought them a stove and and Uncle Joe bought them a kitchen table. Grandpa 
Ben bought them a new buggy and horses and a desk. When Adam Benjamin 
walked his new bride into their bedroom he saw Hop Sing’s gift. It was a 
bunk bed with no mattresses and there was no door to the room. They both 
laughed. “What do we do now?” Sarah asked.
 
“Well we have a few guest rooms. Hopefully there’s furniture there,” he 
replied. He held her hand as they walked down the hall. There was no 
furniture in any of the other rooms. “The sofa?” she asked.
 
“No I have something better in mind,” he replied leading her downstairs and 
out front. He led her to the barn and opened the barn door. He closed it 
and led her over to the haystack. He looked in her eyes and she in his. 
“I’m nervous,” he said.
 
“So am I,” she replied looking in his eyes. He kissed her and let’s just 
say that it was worth waiting to open that barn door. Those memories of the 
first time of his having his beautiful swan lasted them both seventy years 
of marriage and seven children and numerous grand and great-grandchildren 
later.
 
THE END
 
 
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