Sterling Bobbitt
When I was young and foolish, I had a younger sister who wanted me to tell stories, particularly before bedtime. Occasionally I would oblige, but at times the demands of this young 'un tested my patience (as I WAS young and foolish) and I was tempted to cut corners.
Well, one evening this was particularly the case, and as I looked into her pleading eyes, I quickly crafted a tale . . .
There was this insect, kind of a beetle, see, and one day he decided to go out and see the world, and he started out, but there was this highway, see, and he tried to cross it, but he didn't get far, as there was this truck, see, and he didn't look both ways, and all of a sudden all he could see was this BIG tire, and he became one-dimensional. In other words, he was squished! - The End - Goodnight.I headed toward the door, a rapid cut and run, guilt prickling the back of my neck but not really penetrating too deep. I was frozen by a sniffle. Then, a whimper. She was bummed! In the 23 seconds that the story had lasted, she had begun to relate to this beetle, of all things!
Being young and foolish, but not heartless, I returned and carefully explained the truly mystical character of this noble beetle, a beetle among beetles, who in the instant that the truck tire rolled over his tough little exoskeleton managed (somehow - details were sketchy) to penetrate the tire tread and hitch a ride to magnificent places the world over.
"No, dear, the tire didn't go flat. Must you ask so many questions?"
Thus are legends born. There were many more tales surrounding this noble insect, and finishing him off was never again even considered.
At one point, I gave her a carved wooden replica (made for some theatrical production at school) to play with. Years later, when I least expected it, I received a T-shirt for my birthday. There, emblazoned on its chest, was:
Laura Bobbitt Kuhn (also known as Dear Sister II)
My brother, 7 years older, was an all-powerful figure to me as a child. He could delight or terrify me - and was capable of making his Halloween candy last for weeks. Tales of Herman tipped the scale in a positive way. He was a very resourceful and inspired Bug, and I was privileged to share his adventures. - little sister
ReplyDeleteThank you, sister, and sorry about the terror business. I've since refrained from hiding under beds and thumping.
ReplyDelete