Welcome to the Moth Podcast. I'm your host for this episode, Chloe Sammon. This week we're

talking about friendship and the unexpected places we can sometimes find it. Up first is

Savod Johnson. Savod told this at a story slam in Detroit where the theme of the night was

lessons. Here's Savod live at the Moth. When I regained consciousness I recognized my mom,

dad and a few friends standing over me, looking concerned. Someone asked, Savod, are you okay?

I didn't answer. I did, however, have one question on my mind. You see, 12 years I was 12 years old

and my birthday had just passed and I received a new BMX bike. It was royal blue. It had gold decals,

hand breaks and multi-spoke wheels. I pictured that with the right pilot aboard that bike could probably

jump over the school up the street. I'm sure that wild imagination is what caused me to challenge

my friends to a jumping contest. The ante got upped when one of them suggested jumping over a large

bush that for some odd reason was planted in the middle of his front lawn. Okay, challenge accepted.

The following Saturday, five young daredevil assembled ready to take flight and the day was perfect.

The ramp was constructed of the finest components. We had two car ramps placed side by side with a

couple of milk crates on top of that. We had a slightly warped piece of plywood and a few bricks

at the base to keep it all anchored. I'm pretty sure Hollywood stuntman were using the same materials

back then. We rode up to the starting spot and the first kid takes off for the ramp. He jumps

but goes off center and lands at the right just clipping the bush. When the second kid takes off,

he decides to abort his mission before even reaching the ramp. The third contestant goes and

actually clears the bush. But when he lands, both of his feet slip off the pedals. He nut crunches

on that middle bar. So hard. Let's out a blood curtailing scream and instantly becomes a spectator

for the rest of the event. We laughed at him too. The fourth jumper goes, clears the bush easily and

lands perfectly on the other side. But he can't stop fast enough and slams into a car in the drive

...