It could Happen...

One day, overnight, the world turned violet. Just about everything turned violet from the sky and ocean and mountains to the trees and animals and people and from the tallest skyscrapers to the tiniest ant. People sat around looking at one another wondering if they were dreaming. But nobody woke up and things stayed violet, all except for a single Blue Jay who hadn't changed color and stayed the brightest blue. Being the only thing in the world that wasn't violet, he was caught and put in a cage. People were shocked. Some were afraid and some were amazed and a few thought it funny, because along with everyone else, the President was very violet. Whole families were violet as were teachers, movie stars, doctors, nurses, gas station attendants, the Queen of England, the President of Mozambique, taxi-drivers, everybody. They went from place to place in their violet cars and buses and rode violet bikes and sat on violet furniture and ate violet food. Even Hershey's candy bars had turned all violet as had Skittles and M&M's. Girls generally thought this yucky, but some boys thought it was pretty neat. The smartest scientists in the world gathered to figure it out. Was something wrong with people's eyes or was it a trick of nature? They did studies and tests and analyzed and evaluated and debated and wrote article after article, but couldn't explain it. And no longer could people say they felt "blue" or were "green" with envy or had a "green" thumb. So what they said and how they said it began to change. Some people said violet was now the most important color in the world because it was everywhere. Others said that violet had no importance at all because there was too much of it. They discussed and argued, joined clubs, held debates, wrote books, and produced movies all about the issue of the importance or unimportance of the color violet. The color of the Blue Jay became a big issue because he had such a little bit of blue and the world had such a whole lot of violet. People argued about the importance of that. Some said the Blue Jay must be a very special bird or maybe not a bird at all because he alone had kept his true color. Others said this was silly, that the Blue Jay ate bird seed and drank water and fluffed his feathers and that other than his special color he was still just a bird. It was exactly one year to the day after the world had turned violet that people awoke to find the world had turned yellow. All except the Blue Jay. In some ways a yellow world isn't any different than a violet world. People simply said yellow instead of violet when they talked about things. Only now the Blue Jay was more important than ever because he alone had stayed the color blue and people argued about what that meant. They lined up for miles just to take a look at him. For the next two years, exactly on the day the world had turned violet and then yellow, it turned new colors: first orange and then pink. Still the Blue Jay stayed blue, causing ever greater disagreement -- until in the fifth year the whole world turned blue. The first thing people asked was what about the Blue Jay. Had he stayed blue? Yes, he was still the same color. No longer were there two colors in the world, but just one -- the color blue. And because the Blue Jay was a color like everybody and everything else people began to lose interest. Now that he was neither more nor less important crowds stopped coming and one day, six months into the year that the world had turned blue, somebody let him out of his cage and he flew off looking happy to be free. The very next morning the world regained its rainbow of colors as if nothing had ever happened. At first this was a novelty but soon people forgot the world had once been all violet. They forgot the world had once turned yellow, then orange, then pink, and then blue. They returned to saying they felt "blue" or were "green" with envy or had a "green" thumb. But on occasion they wondered where the Blue Jay had gone and how he was doing and, most of all, if he was still the color blue and what it had all meant.

Who Did Patrick's Homework?

Patrick never did homework. "Too boring," he said. He played baseball and basketball and Nintendo instead. His teachers told him, "Patrick! Do your homework or you won't learn a thing." And it's true, sometimes he did feel like a ding-a-ling. But what could he do? He hated homework. Then on St. Patrick's Day his cat was playing with a little doll and he grabbed it away. To his surprise it wasn't a doll at all, but a man of the tiniest size. He had a little wool shirt with old fashioned britches and a high tall hat much like a witch's. He yelled, "Save me! Don't give me back to that cat. I'll grant you a wish, I promise you that." Patrick couldn't believe how lucky he was! Here was the answer to all of his problems. So he said, "Only if you do all my homework 'til the end of the semester, that's 35 days. If you do a good enough job, I could even get A's." The little man's face wrinkled like a dishcloth thrown in the hamper. He kicked his legs and doubled his fists and he grimaced and scowled and pursed his lips, "Oh, am I cursed! But I'll do it." And true to his word, that little elf began to do Patrick's homework. Except there was one glitch. The elf didn't always know what to do and he needed help. "Help me! Help me!" he'd say. And Patrick would have to help -- in whatever way. "I don't know this word," the elf squeeked while reading Patrick's homework. "Get me a dictionary. No, what's even better. Look up the word and sound it out by each letter." When it came to math, Patrick was out of luck. "What are times tables?" the elf shrieked. "We elves never need that. And addition and subtraction and division and fractions? Here, sit down beside me, you simply must guide me." Elves know nothing of human history, to them it's a mystery. So the little elf, already a shouter, just got louder "Go to the library, I need books. More and more books. And you can help me read them too." As a matter of fact every day in every way that little elf was a nag! Patrick was working harder than ever and was it a drag! He was staying up nights, had never felt so weary, was going to school with his eyes puffed and bleary. Finally the last day of school arrived and the elf was free to go. As for homework, there was no more, so he quietly and slyly slipped out the back door. Patrick got his A's; his classmates were amazed; his teachers smiled and were full of praise. And his parents? They wondered what had happened to Patrick. He was now the model kid. Cleaned his room, did his chores, was cheerful, never rude, like he had developed a whole new attitude. You see, in the end Patrick still thought he'd made that tiny man do all his homework. But I'll share a secret, just between you and me. It wasn't the elf; Patrick had done it himself!

The loomploy

The loomploy population was divided into the able and the unable. The able could care for themselves in the darkness of the land. The cold did not freeze them for they were able to work hard and make warm coats. The unable were sad creatures who could not help themselves. They depended upon the able to make coats for them to keep warm. This worked out fine for the able were eager to please God who had commanded: "THOU SHALT MAKE COATS!!!!" It was said that heaven was a beautifully warm place filled with light. There, everything was perfect. In order to find a very tip top place in heaven one had only to make loads and loads of coats to keep the unables warm! Every able had his own visions of his wonderful place in heaven... just reward for his many coats. Except Tibley. Tibley didn't like to make coats. He just couldn't help himself. Everyone thought secretly that maybe Tibley really was an unable but they didn't say so out loud. Once Tibley told the head loomploy about his problem, but it didn't help much. Tibley had said, "I just don't feel like making coats". The head loomploy had looked at him sternly. "You don't have to feel anything! Sometimes I feel like making coats and sometimes I don't! If I just did things when I felt like it... nothing would get done! No coats would be made and no one would get into heaven!" Tibley sighed. "Oh well", he thought, but he knew that no matter how hard he tried he couldn't make himself do something if he didn't feel like it. So often he would console himself and go sit amongst the unables. Of course the able loomploys thought this just punishment. One of the unables would cuddle near him. Although it could not speak, it would gently touch him now and then. Time went by and Tibley looked forward to being with the unables and his special little friend. Then one day Tibley noticed his little friend was extra quiet and no longer reached to touch him. His little friend was sick. Tibley noticed the little unable's coat had holes in it from long wear and he knew that warmth was the only thing that could bring his little friend back. So Tibley after many years became a true able. He sat down and sewed the most beautiful coat the loomploy world had ever seen. Hurriedly he put it on his little friend but nothing happened. A tear came to his eye and a great ache within him but the little friend did not move. Now everyone knows that when judgment day comes that the ables will go to their just reward because of their many good coats but that the unables will never get to heaven but dwell forever in the cold. The day came that Tibley should go to heaven. He wasn't sure if they would let him in because he had only sewed one coat his whole life. But nothing was said at the door because Kooble Loomploy who had sewed 3,000 coats in his lifetime was arguing with the Lord. "I don't understand", said Kooble Loomploy, "why everyone else gets to enjoy the same amount of sunshine as me, when I sewed so many more coats! Why look at Tibley over there!! His whole 800 years he only sewed 1 coat. What kind of justice is that?" The Lord smiled at Kooble Loomploy with sadness in his eyes. "My Son", he said, "All that I have is yours!" Kooble Loomploy was not consoled by this, but no matter, for he rushed off into the sunshine with everyone else. They danced and played and drank in the warmth and light. They were in heaven!!! Except Tibley. He really didn't belong here... after all... he only sewed one coat. It was for his poor little friend unable. He wondered how he was and longed to be by his side. Heaven was warm and glorious on the outside but it didn't fill the ache and loneliness he felt inside. So with much trepidation one day he approached the Lord. "Lord", he said, in a tiny little voice. "I think that this truly is a beautiful place and truly is heaven for everyone but forgive me because I'm not happy in heaven." Tibley gulped. There he was again not feeling the way he was supposed to and not doing what he was supposed to do. Would the Lord banish him forever from the heaven of warmth and light? The kindest eyes that Tibley had ever seen smiled at him and gently a voice whispered. "And why are you unhappy Tibley?" Tibley gazed back and felt suddenly lost in an ocean of warmth. "Why...Why...I miss my little unable... He needs me. I need him. I want to go back. The Lord again smiled. "Tibley... you can be where you want to be. You have found the truth. Heaven is not a place. It is a state of being, a state of feeling. Never be afraid to love for within you is the true light, the true warmth." And suddenly Tibley did not see the same heaven that everyone else saw. He felt a deep, deep peace and warmth where the ache had been. And beside him instantly the warmth of the touch of his little friend "the unable"... who had been healed. St. Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. St. Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Grow Your Own Gargoyle

Wendy clutched her Slime Sisters comic book. She saved her allowance to buy all kinds of things that were in the back of the comic. She had bought talking fish, dancing dolls, living pet rock, giant super heroes, and all kinds of other stuff. She'd run to get the mail. "My giant super heroes are here." Wendy had opened it up, but they weren't as big as a child like in the ad. In small print were the words "not actual size." All the other things she had sent for didn't work right either. The dolls didn't have batteries and broke after just two days. The living rock was not alive, and all the other toys and games she bought were lying twisted and broken in a heap on her bed. She sat on the floor and frowned. "Can I come in?" her Mom, Mrs. Delane, asked. Wendy nodded. Mrs. Delane moved some of the junk away and sat down. She had a tiny package in her hand. "Maybe you shouldn't send for any more toys?" Mrs. Delane said, "but you have one more package." Wendy took the package. It said "The Living Gargoyle Co." "I forgot all about this," Wendy said. She opened the package and there were two very small gargoyles with pointy ears, and a small piece of paper. Grow Your Own Gargoyle Put each gargoyle in a large bowl of water. (Don't put them in the same bowl; the gargoyles need space to grow.) Wait overnight and they will have grown more than twice their size. Dry them off with a towel. P.S. Gargoyles are very cranky at first, so plan activities they will enjoy like picnics and tag. No, they can't fly. "I might as well try. I think Stacy had a sponge toy like this and hers grew." Wendy smiled and removed the junk from her bed. "Mom, can you get me two bowls of water?" "If you promise to clean your room." Her Mom said, and got her the bowls and tucked Wendy in. Wendy went to sleep and dreamed the gargoyles grew as big as her house and were very mean looking. She felt something wet on her ear and woke up. The gargoyles were on her bed. "Dry me," said gargoyle one. "No, me first," said the other one. Wendy didn't scream because the directions said they'd be real cranky. "Okay, I'll dry you both." Wendy dried them off with towels. Wendy named one Lester and the other one Tina, because one of them was a boy and the other one was a girl. When Wendy was off at school, they'd get into pillow fights and make her room a mess. "You have to clean up your room," Mrs. Delane said. "Your Dad almost fainted when he saw your room." "But Lester and Tina made the mess." "They're your gargoyles and you have to clean up after them." Wendy gave them crayons to draw with, but they ended up drawing all over the walls and it took Wendy hours to clean the walls. As soon as she was done with that she had to clean sticky bubble gum off of Lester's wings. "This place is so much fun," Tina said. "Most of us are sent back to the company." "And the kids get their money back?" Wendy asked. "Nope," Lester said. "You have to pay the company." Tina shook her head. "The other gargoyles are much crankier than us. The reason I'm nicer to you is I like it here. I never want to leave. I like you too." "Well, there are those pillow fights," Wendy replied. "We won't have them any more." Tina smiled. "No, I don't mind if you have pillow fights as along as I'm allowed to join in." They tossed pillows and sang songs. Afterward they cleaned up the mess. Mrs. Delane made Wendy, Lester and Tina cups of hot chocolate and tucked them into bed. Tina started to snore. "Maybe you can order more gargoyles," Lester said. "No, two are all the gargoyles I can handle." Wendy closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Mr. Coyote Meets Mr. Snail

Mr. Coyote was getting very old and had to be more careful for his own safety. He had been walking for hours and hours through a beautiful valley when he came upon a large tree. Mr. Coyote was very tired and wanted to rest but he also needed to be safe. He kindly asked the tree, "Please open up so I can rest safely in your care". The tree opened up so that Mr. Coyote could go inside to rest, then it closed to keep him safe. Mr. Coyote slept for hours. When he woke up he could not remember what he had said to make the tree open. He said, "Let me out Mr. Tree", but nothing happened. He said, "Please let me out now!" and again nothing happened. The tree didn't even creak. Mr. Coyote knocked on the tree, but it would not open up. Mr. Tree was upset with Mr. Coyote for not having said please the first time he spoke to the tree! It let him rest a little longer. Because the birds heard Mr. Coyote banging on the inside of the tree, they came down to peck on the tree to help get him out. But they were too small and the tree was just too big! Finally Mr. Woodpecker came down and pecked a hole in the tree. Although it was a very small hole, it caused Mr. Woodpecker to get a bent beak! This meant he couldn't peck on the tree any more. Mr. Coyote put one hand out the hole but he could not fit through. He then tried his leg but still he could not fit through. He had to come up with a way to escape since Mr. Woodpecker's beak was now bent. Mr. Coyote knew there had to be a way. "Ah, come on you old ugly tree," he cried, "Just let me out!" But still nothing happened, just the silence around him. Mr. Coyote decided to take off his arms one at a time and put them through the small hole. He then put his legs through one at a time by taking them off. He put his body through by taking it off. This was working out fine. I'll show you Mr. Tree, you can't keep me in here, he thought. Next Mr. Coyote tried to put his head through the hole, but it was too big. His ears were in the way. So he took off his ears and put them through the hole. He again tried his head, but his eyes were too big. Mr. Coyote took his eyes off and put them through the hole. Mr. Raven saw the eyes and flew down to take them. Then Mr. Raven flew back up high in the tree with Mr. Coyote's eyes. They were such beautiful eyes, blue like the sky, and would be a treasure to put in his hiding spot! Mr. Coyote finally put his head through the hole. He then put himself back together. One piece at a time he became a whole coyote again. But after he put his head on he could not find his eyes. He was feeling all over. His ears were listening to hear him touch his eyes, but not a sound could be heard from his eyes. His fingers were being careful while feeling around, but still no eyes were found. Mr. Coyote knew he could not let the animals know he was blind. He felt his way to a wild rose bush; he then put two rose petals in for his eyes. This would cover the blindness for a little while, but he would have to keep looking for his eyes. Surely they were close by! Along came Mr. Snail who saw Mr. Coyote with the rose petals in his eyes. He asked Mr. Coyote, "Why do you have those rose petals in your eyes?" Mr. Coyote said, "Because they are very beautiful. They have lovely colors. You can try them if you want and I will hold your eyes." Mr. Snail took off his eyes. He put them into Mr. Coyote's hands and tried the rose petals in his eyes. Then Mr. Coyote put Mr. Snail's eyes into his head and ran off with his long tail wagging. To this day Mr. Snail is crawling with his head down looking for his eyes. And all coyotes have brown eyes instead of blue; this is because Mr. Coyote was naughty when he took Mr. Snail's eyes. And Mr. Raven still has those beautiful blue eyes in his secret hiding place, but he cannot return them because the secret hiding place was so secret not even Mr. Raven can find

Little Miss Mary and the Big Monster Makeover

The traffic, amazingly, wasn't too bad. They arrived in no-time at their posh Mayfair pad; A GORGEOUS, split-level, detached pied-à-terre Where Little Miss Mary lived with-out a care. And that's where we find her - tired from shopping, Exhausted from all of that running and hopping From salon to boutique with Mom as her caddie, Buying up Bond Street and all on her Daddy... daddy Who works all day long, all night long in the City As Chair Of The Board and as Head Of Committees; Earning big bucks so that she can look pretty - NO EXPENSE SPARED on his "Sweet Little Kitty". Little Miss Mary made her Daddy proud By jumping in queues and by pushing through crowds, By spending his money in ALL sorts of places From Moscow to Paris, from Harrods to Macy's. Mary would COME, she would SEE, she would BUY! From Cannes to Hong Kong, from Milan to Dubai. If there was a contest, then she would be crowned: "The world's greatest shopper!" (pound for pound). around-the-world But now she was tired and lay on her bed. Musing if this season's black would be red. Mulling the fate of poor fabric exporters If all the designers cut skirts by three-quarters. She put on her eye-mask and drifted to sleep; Counting sheep, after sheep, after sheep, after sheep, But all the while thinking: "How it would be better To use all their wool for a Burberry sweater." counting-sheep Soon Little Miss Mary was out like a light, But she didn't sleep long and woke up with a fright! She opened her eyes and was very surprised When a huge, hairy Monster... MATERIALIZED! The Monster yelled "BOO!" to give Mary a scare, But Mary just fixed the great Beast with a stare. She looked up and down from his toes to his hair With total disdain while the Monster stood there. "Why!" asked the Monster "You show me no fear!?" "Have you looked in the mirror? You're just SOOO last year! Your tail isn't bad, but is there a reason... For sporting those horns, which are just SOOO last season? boo The Monster was stunned. At a loss what to say. His prey wasn't screaming or running away! He wasn't accustomed to such a response, He was used to HYSTERICS not pert nonchalance. But Mary stayed poised as a lady should be, She displayed no attempt or desire to flee. She turned on the light so that he could see clearer And showed the big Monster his FACE in the mirror. mirror He gawked for a while at his wretched reflection He winced at his wrinkled and withered complexion. "My skin feels like leather, I have crusty eyes!" "What did you expect when you don't moisturize?" "My nails are all broken! My teeth are all yellow! My fur is in clumps!" He let out a BELLOW! "My horns are askew and my coat is molting." He started to sob... "I am... truly... revolting!" "Come on now don't cry." Said Little Miss Mary. "You DO have a choice, you don't HAVE to be scary! Behind that snarl and that piercing stare, You're just a big softy - a HUGE teddy-bear!" curtains But the big hairy Monster was not quite as certain - Embarrassed he wrapped himself up in a curtain And told Little Mary that with-out a doubt, He's a HIDEOUS creature and he'll NEVER come out. Miss Mary agreed: "You are ugly for sure, But it's something you really don't have to endure. So you haven't been blessed with the best of genetics; Who needs Mother Nature, when we have cosmetics!? For each of your problems you'll find there's a cure From a deep cleansing facial to a French pedicure. To NUMEROUS methods for rogue hair removal So what do you say? Do I have your approval? smile Would you like to be pampered and fashioned and styled? MADE-OVER BY MARY?" - The big Monster smiled. "I can tell from that smile that it's been quite a while Since you've seen a toothbrush, or have used a nail-file. And I sense from your stench, or at least I presume, That you're also a stranger to soap and perfume." smelly While Little Miss Mary stood pinching her nose The big Monster blushed from his head to his toes. "Don't worry" said Mary "We'll give you a shower We'll soak you and clean you, we'll scrub and we'll scour. We'll cleanse and we'll tone, we'll wax and we'll pluck, We'll snip and we'll peel, we'll nip and we'll tuck! If you want to look pretty you're on the right path. Lets start with the basics... You're having a bath!" She dragged the big Monster inside her en-suite Full of lotions and potions all fragrant and sweet, Full of loofahs and sponges to rub and to scrub And rose scented candles lit round the tub. Once there the Monster forgot ALL his troubles In bath salts and oils and white, fluffy bubbles. And as he relaxed, Mary started her mission; She began by shampooing and then she conditioned... bath She used tinted toners, tonics and creams, She applied elbow grease (as weird as it seems) Because THAT, for Miss Mary, was EX-tremely rare. After all, she was heir to a millionaire. lotions She rolled up her sleeves and got stuck in her task. She smeared on a Dead Sea, firming face masque. She lathered and foamed, she combed and untangled, Till the Monster emerged spick-n-span and newfangled! "Well there you go, you no longer smell foul." Said Little Miss Mary, handing over a towel. "And now for the fun part, lets start from the top To be brutally honest your hair is a MOP! scissors I have to be frank - I am not even sure Of how to approach this kind of coiffure. Maybe a fringe? Or a crop? Or a bob? Or perhaps a French Plait will do just the job? Whatever we do you will first have to swear; In future you'll take better care of your hair. How on EARTH did you ever expect to make friends With split-ends that have their OWN split-ends?" The Monster's face faded by at least several shades Once he spotted the glint of the sharp scissor blades. Frightened, he opted to keep his eyes shut And chewed on his nails, through his first haircut. haircut Mary danced round his head like a crazed ballerina, Like a MAD matador in a bullfight arena; Dodging his horns while clipping his ears, Which, it has to be said, only worsened his fears. The Monster's anxiety did not diminish Until Little Mary announced: "I AM FINISHED!" He opened his eyes and was over the Moon! It looked like his cut was by Vidal Sassoon! His hair was no longer the nest of a vulture; It was "modern-art" like an avant-garde sculpture. Geometric yet flowing. Organic yet neat... And that's just the mound that lay at his feet! "I'm so HAPPY Miss Mary I could give you a kiss!" "While you have halitosis, I'll give that a miss; There's still so much more that needs to be done. Don't think this is over. The fun's JUST begun!" Mary brushed up his teeth until they were white. She polished his horns so they weren't such a fright. She curled his eyelashes and buffed every nail. She fluffed up his wings and she straightened his tail. brushing-teeth His immense monobrow was trimmed and then tweezed, The spots on his nose were steamed and then squeezed, She plucked his disgusting, unsightly nose hairs, She peeled and exfoliated LOTS of skin layers... With Caviar Granules for Derma-abrasionTM Which Mommy's been saving for special occasions, Who swore that the tiny, dried eggs from a Sturgeon Were better than dating a TOP plastic surgeon. pedicure The results were AMAZING! Not a wrinkle in sight! The Monster could hardly contain his delight. He clapped his big hands and he stomped his huge feet, But Mary's makeover STILL wasn't complete! She waited for calm and then said: "I suppose, It's time that we found some suitable clothes. My Daddy's quite fat, so I'm sure we can find A suit that would fit your ENORMOUS behind." big-bottom They went to the wardrobe and opened the door, It was haute-couture HEAVEN from ceiling to floor. There were shoes, there were suits and dresses galore! GAULTIER, GIVENCHY, CHANNEL, and DIOR! The Monster was slack-jawed, his eyes open wide, He hadn't the SLIGHTEST clue how to decide Between: Prada, Armani or Gucci, or Boss. In this maze of designers he was quite at a loss! But thankfully Little Miss Mary was able To find her way through the labyrinth of labels. She scoured the shelves and rummaged through rails, Convinced that the Monster would look great in tails... fashion-heaven Mary searched for her father's bespoke formal wear, After all it was Daddy, who made her aware "That even a MONKEY dressed up in a tux Had a GOOD chance to look like a million bucks." She furnished the Monster with J.P. Tod's shoes, A Ralph Lauren shirt, then proceeded to choose A STUNNING tuxedo from Louis Vuitton And with bated breath waited - as he put it on. Within a few moments Miss Mary could tell That the dressing-up part wasn't going so well. It became pretty clear his suit wouldn't fit When the Monster bent down and his trousers split! Propriety precludes me from telling you where, But it was, as you guessed, an embarrassing tear. The pants weren't designed for a beast of his size. And the rest of the clothes met a likewise demise... The tailor-made tailcoat was torn into shreds! The shirt was reduced to some buttons on threads! The waistcoat was wasted! The shoes were too small; His toes burst through them, but then, worst of all... The Royal Ascot top hat, which was worn to the races, Got impaled on the Monster's big horn of all places! The final result was the tux was in TATTERS... The Monster had turned haute-couture into schmattas! schmattas "I cannot believe I could be so naïve!" Said Little Miss Mary a little bit peeved: "I ought to have guessed it SOOO much faster That getting you dressed would end in disaster!" But the big hairy Monster was simply ecstatic, He tingled all over (though it may have been static) So what if his clothes were ripped at the seams? They MORE than exceeded his WILDEST dreams! "I want to thank you so much, I don't know where to start? Instead of my gut, there's a place in my heart. For Mary you've changed me both inside and out. I was going to devour you... Now I'm DEVOUT! thank-you I can't wait to get back to the big monsters' lair To show them my clothes, my skin and my hair. I shall teach other Monsters how not to be feared!" He thanked her once more and with that... disappeared. After waving good-bye Mary drew a deep sigh, Lay back and imagined new things she could buy, But hard as she tried her dreams weren't the same, Compared to the Monster they all seemed so... tame. Her entire short life she'd behaved like a brat With a "Can I have this?" and a "Can I have that!" But it looked like she'd finally found her passion; Not JUST for herself, but for big monster fashion. dreaming She never imagined one day she may yearn Not for dresses or shoes, but a Monster's return. When all of a sudden, she heard something creaking. She sat up and listened to scraping and squeaking... The closet doors opened and through them came out A motley of monsters with horns, tails and snouts; Sharp teeth and long tentacles, talons and trunks, Some hairy, some scaly ALL smelly as skunks! It's hard to find words to describe their features; They were, beyond doubt, the UGLIEST creatures! Every single one weird, every single one wild, Every single one there to be fashioned and styled. What do you do, when you're faced with such freaks? Do you faint? Do you run? Do you hide? Do you shriek? Miss Mary's solution was typically chic: "I will open the world's first MONSTER BOUTIQUE!"

The Halloween House

The Halloween House is big and old. I'm told that on Halloween night things happen there. Now Suzie's moved in--she's only 4--along with her brother, her father and mother, and little Picador. He's their dog. Well, maybe half a dog. He's a Chihuahua, as small as they come. Suzie's room is in the attic. It's no fun. With a high ceiling, cold and gloomy, and shadows that run halfway up the walls. Suzie hides under the blanket. Picador too. Come on, he's no guard dog. Suzie's mom bought her a bear. A teddy bear named Teddy. He's big and fluffy and Suzie adores him. "I love you so much" she says. Then she wraps her arms around him, snuggling like a cat ready to purr while Picador buries himself in all that fur. The Halloween House's attic may be scary, but Teddy's not. Around his neck he wears a blue scarf with red polka dots. On his back paws are black tennis shoes tied with lace and plenty of knots. Something is silly about that teddy bear. He's got a goofy smile from ear to ear. It's kind of lopsided and sweet, although not quite complete. He was cheap when Suzie's mom bought him at the Dollar Store. But his smile is always there. When scratching and squeaking come from the walls, Teddy smiles. When clothes on the floor become strange figures in piles, Teddy smiles. When an invisible spider's miles of cobweb fades away in the morning, Teddy smiles. Tonight is Suzie's first Halloween at the Halloween House. She has finished her trick or treating, she did it earlier in the evening. She dressed up as a pumpkin with an orange glow--and now her two bags of candy overflow onto the floor. It's midnight and everyone's asleep. Not a peep, until suddenly there's a tapping at the door. "Tap, tap....tap." It starts out soft and low and then changes into a steady beat, beat, beat as though a giant's heart is nudging the door. Teddy smiles. A thin mist streams from a crack in the corner, turns into a snake sliding across the floor. Teddy smiles. Next, at the window appears a witch 200 years old with a black hat hiding half her face and the wrinkles it holds. She slips right through the glass as though it isn't there at all. Once inside, she stands up, six feet tall. Teddy smiles. A long legged spider with big fangs drops from the ceiling and hangs only five feet over the bed where Suzie and Picador peacefully sleep. The snake, the witch and the spider slither, creep and dangle closer, growing bigger as they go. They're up to no good. This can't be happening. But Teddy is watching. He smiles no more. The upturned side of his lip droops down, while the other part of his lip lifts up. Teddy's smile turns into a snarl. When the three monsters almost reach the bed, Teddy gets up. But more than that, he begins to grow, although much faster and bigger than they. His tennis shoes pop off and his scarf floats away. Sweet, smiling Teddy turns into a Grizzly bear, the biggest, meanest Grizzly of your imagination. Standing on his back paws, stretched to the ceiling Teddy is terrifying. Fortunately, Suzie and Picador are still sleep. The snake, the witch, and the spider stop growing. They stare at him. There's wonder and shock in their eyes. This is an unexpected surprise. Then Teddy roars! It's so loud, it doesn't help to cover your ears. And the ghouls hear it. This Grizzly is beyond their worst fears. With a puff and a poof they disappear. Suzie is instantly awake, her eyes big and round. With a frightened yip Picador bolts from under the covers trembling with dread. But they see nothing, nothing at all, because the monsters have fled. And Teddy is suddenly Teddy again. How could that be? It happened so fast, there was nothing to see, except his shoes are across the room and his scarf is at the bottom of the bed. Gone is the snake. Gone is the witch. Gone is the spider and the beating heart at the door. It's quite obvious they'll never return. Nevermore. At least not to this Halloween House so long as this bear stays around and he will stay. Because he is loved. Have no fear, Teddy's here. ...and he smiles.