2002-03-07 4:47 p.m. At the supermarket today, I met a charming young lady back by the seafood area. She caught my eye because in place of normal human hands, she had red, spiky claws. She was lifting lobsters out of the cooler where they were resting, wrapped in plastic with stickers on them giving price and weight. Each was examined in its turn then replaced. Friendly conversation revealed the reason for her seafood shopping. "I was not always a human," she told me. "Once, like these sad creatures, I was a lobster. And I had a brother. "We would play for hours, exploring the ocean's bottom, stretching the boundaries of our lobster kingdom, going wherever our claws would lead us." One day, their claws led them into trouble. They were captured in the net of a witch who lived by the sea. She told the brother and sister that they must collect for her a pile of shiny rocks the size of the hut she lived in. Also some pearls would be nice. If the lobsters were successful in their task, they would have their fondest wish granted. If they failed, they would ... and here the clawed woman's voice broke and she set down a shrink-wrapped lobster to weep for awhile. "Since you are interested, and seem to be a kind man, I will tell you the rest of my tale tomorrow. Please meet me here again at the same time. I am frequently here. "I am searching for my brother," she said. At the last minute, before checking out, I remembered that I needed more non-dairy vanilla-flavored creamer for my coffee. The people behind me in line were very nice about letting me run and get it without losing my place. After I got my change it occurred to me that I could have just gotten the creamer tomorrow, when I return. |
1. today is nice 3. happy yesterdays 8. thanks for hosting 4. doing other things |
(Proof that I am the only one reading.) |