# Help me find this story (sorry) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 25, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456 "2008-11-25T17:40:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Black\_Sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@Black\_Sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Sunshine)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/1 "2008-11-25T17:40:51Z")
I hate threads like this because I’m never helpful. But this has bothered me for nigh on forever, and I’ve just given up finding it on my own. First off, it’s NOT “The Rocking Horse Winner,” though that’s what some people have suggested. Same (very) general idea, I suppose. I read it in a Junior High reading class. It was about a boy who would make up challenges for himself, like that if he can do X physical task, there will be pie for dessert. One day, he’s coming home from school and tells himself if he can’t (I think) ride or run to the next telephone pole before a car comes by, his mom will die. He doesn’t make it, and well, she dies. Later he tries something else, telling himself that if he makes it, it will bring her back, but it doesn’t work. I’m a bit vague on the exact details, but if anyone can figure this out for me, I’d be eternally grateful. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/2 "2008-11-25T18:16:33Z")
I’m no help here, but [Booksleuth](http://forums.abebooks.com/abesleuthcom)might be. Just make sure you read the tips on titling your post first - “Looking for a book” is so obviously unhelpful there, yet so many people use it! ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/3 "2008-11-27T17:47:05Z")
From the Shocklines message board (they’re never stumped for long): “I believe it’s Bradbury’s “The Miracles of Jamie”. It’s collected in Long after Midnight, for the forthcoming PS edition of which I’ve written the introduction.” Posted by none other than Ramsey Campbell. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/4 "2008-11-27T23:56:28Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Posted by none other than Ramsey Campbell. :eek: :eek:🆒 That is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/5 "2008-11-28T01:22:11Z")
Isn’t it? But it’d be funny if that wasn’t the story. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/6 "2008-11-28T02:04:18Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > From the Shocklines message board (they’re never stumped for long): > > “I believe it’s Bradbury’s “The Miracles of Jamie”. It’s collected in Long after Midnight, for the forthcoming PS edition of which I’ve written the introduction.” > > Posted by none other than Ramsey Campbell. :eek: That’s the story I immediately thought of. He starts thinking that he’s the second coming of Jesus and can will miracles to happen by passing tests he sets for himself. After the incident mentioned in the OP (he sets himself a test that he tells himself will save his mother, he fails, she dies), he resolves to never perform another miracle again. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/7 "2008-11-28T03:17:53Z")
Well, **The Miracles of Jamie** is reprinted here. I’m not actually sure if it is legally reprinted, but here is the link. Mods, if this is illegal in anyway, please break the link. Is this it? [Miracles of Jamie](http://www.raybradbury.ru/library/story/46/5/0/) ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@Black\_Sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Sunshine)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-this-story-sorry/474456/8 "2008-12-01T16:32:45Z")
I love you guys. Seriously. I’ve been trying for almost 20 years to figure this out. Oddly enough, I do this same thing when I’m out jogging, though I’m careful to never make the stakes _too_ high.