EMMA'S FANTASTIQUE WORD PLAY

They peered upon a little person standing by the car on tiptoe. He squinted and blinked rapidly as he looked at them. He had large green eyes, a grayish wisp of hair, and a curious mouth beneath a slightly large nose. The man motioned for them to roll the window down, which Tom did by pressing a button. Tom did not take his eyes off of this man while he made this manual maneuver. The man spoke in a night night story-telling voice No car will come to hurt or harm you I’ve been sent, hoping not to alarm you In nine months from this very date You’ll have two children at eight ‘o eight One a girl and one a boy They will bring you lots of joy There is something, to know you must Hear me well, and give your trust The children will be little people JUST LIKE US! His last three words were sang in unison with other blended voices, ranging from strong deep bass, to crystal-shattering soprano. The words echoed thirteen times off of the inner walls of the fallen sequoia tree. The couple looked around, and saw a dozen sets of eyes peering at them in the dark. With the one at Tom’s window, they equaled 13, or a baker’s dozen. Tom, a baker, turned and looked at his wife. It was the first time he took his eyes off of the Lilliputian breathing on him. At about that time, a little person knocked on her window. It was a female, with silvery-blue eyes, a mass of curly red hair, and the nicest teeth they had ever seen. Tom hit the button to roll down the window. She spoke in a deep whisper, but the blast of her breath blew Samantha’s hair straight back. Before daylight, tell me soon While we still have the full blue moon A special wish for the girl A nice thirst for the boy I’ll write it down, for you with pen I can not say this ever again What you wish, you will surely get Tell me while the moon shines yet What you speak as your high hopes Will be sealed with my pen strokes Tom rolled the windows back up so they could talk privately. They agreed that the strange experience was real and true. The anxious couple decided that it would be fruitless to ask for normal height in their children. They chatted back and forth and came to an agreement. Samantha spoke, and the force of her words rippled the pages of the white book held in the woman’s hands. For the girl, a gift with words For the boy, mathematical precision Write this down Because that’s our vision The pen flew across the page of the book. Just when the lady snapped the thin book shut, a flash of sun peered over the eastern sky. The couple were able to see the 13 midgets very well. They were all in navy suits. White starched pants, a white starched shirt with a navy blue tie at the neck, a crisp sailor’s cap with sharp folds, and spit-shined black shoes. Each little person saluted them with a snap as they drove through the tunnel exit. The car had started on its own.