In the small community of Catherine lake, Alberta, the Winter is cold and long. Snow covers the ground from October through April - and sometimes even May. But that's just fine for Earl Okemow and his good friend Franklin Abah. The two Grade 4 classmates at Catherine lake school love to play street hockey.
"Hey, Franklin," said Earl one Thursday in February, 1875. "Want to come over after school and play hockey?" Later that day, the boys bundled up and headed outdoors for a game in front of Earl's house.
Just a short distance From Earl's house is the central pumphouse. The community families have no running water in their houses. They have to go to pumphouse to get it. Mary Okemow called to her truck, "Earl , I'm going to get some water. I'll just be a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on your little brother and sister for me.
"Okay,"said Earl, waving goodbye. His mother drove off and the two boys picked up hockey game where they'd left off.
A few minutes later, they were startled by a sudden loud sound. Thump. Thump. Thump. The noise was coming from Earl's house. Earl and Franklin turned to see what was happening. There in the window was Earl's five-year-old brother Bradley. His eyes were wide with terror."Help me!" he was watched in horror, flames began to climb the curtains.
They ran to the front door and pushed it open. Bradley and his baby sister, Serena, were surrounded by flames and smoke. The roar of the fire was deafening. Although Earl and Franklin could see the terrified children in the living room, they couldn't get to them. Heat and smoke forced the two boys back outside.
On the front step, they gulped cold fresh air. " Take your jacket off and fill it with snow,"ordered by Franklin. He figured that if they held wet jacket over their heads, can they wouldn't get burned as easily. The jackets over there heads, they wouldn't get burned as easily. The jackets might also have protect them from smoke.
Earl obeyed. He tore off his coat and filled it with snow."Help me, Earl grabbed his snow-filled jacket and held it above his head and over his mouth. He ran back to the burning house.
The living room was filled with smoke and fire was racing up and down the curtains. Earl pulled at them, hoping that he could stomp out the flames. But the flames leapt to the sleeves of his jacket. He managed to put out the flames, but the rest of the fire was spreading very quickly.
Bradley and Serena sat huddled on top of the coffee table. Flames licked at them smoke surrounded them like a thick fog. Earl picked up his baby sister first and struggled back to the front door. Franklin raced to a neighbour's house. "Fire!" he hollered, pounding on the door. "There's a fire at Earl's house.
Fighting his way through the heat and smoke, Earl found his brother. Bradley was crying and coughing. Crash! Down went the television set as the stand holding it burned away. Grabbing Bradley's hand, Earl led his terrified brother from the house.
Once outside, the two brothers tried to catch their breath. Then they, too, headed over to their neighbour's house.
Word of the fire spread quickly in the small community. A crowd gathered. Men dipped buckets into water barrels and ran with them to put out the fire. But the blaze roared on.
From the neighbour's house, Franklin spotted Earl's mother returning home in her truck. He ran into the street and flagged her down. Sobbing, he told her that her house was on fire. Mary Okemow burst into tears. With her voice shaking, She asked, "Where are my children?"
Mary ran to her house, but it was reduced to ashes.
***** ***** ***** *****
The Okemows were left homeless. But, thanks to the bravery of Earl and Franklin, Bradley and Serena didn't die in the fire. To recognize their bravery, the principal at Catherine lake school nominated the two boys for a YTV Achievement Award.
Each year YTV, a children's television station, sponsors achievement awards to honour remarkable young people. After considering many stories, the judges chose Earl and Franklin as winners in bravery category.
The boys and their parents were flown to Toronto, where they spent a wonderful week. They accepted their award in front of a huge audience at the ceremony. The two boys spoke humbly of their accomplishment. "I'm just glad we could save Bradley and Serena,"said Franklin.
Back in Catherine lake, Earl and Franklin are still good friends. They still love to play hockey on winter afternoons week in Toronto. Winning the award was great. But even better, they got to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs in practice. For two young hockey fans from Catherine lake, it was a dream come true.