Charise looked around the untidy room. Toys were scattered everywhere. Michaela’s family would be home in about an hour, and she needed to get things picked up.

“Michaela,” Charise said, “Let’s pick up your toys so the house will be nice and clean when your mom and dad get home.”


“Nuh-uh,” Michaela disagreed, jumping on the sofa. “That’s your job!”

“It’s your job to be a good child and not make a mess. Now help me clean up!” Charise responded, trying not to scream. She was ready to tear her hair out.

Michaela thought for a second. “I’ll help out.”

“Good.”

“If you tell me a story.”


Charise groaned to herself. “Fine, if it’ll get you to help. What story?”

Michaela stopped jumping and sat, quietly thinking. After a few moments, she said, “Tell me a story I’ve never heard before.”


Charise tried to think as quickly as possible. Her eyes scanned the bookshelves around the room. This child had undoubtedly heard every story there was to tell, as there were books full of stories from all over the world.

“I’m waiting!” Michaela sang out. “If you can’t think of a story, you better start cleaning up fast!”

Then, an idea hit Charise. “Fine. I know a story. It’s a fairly recent one, and it’s about a kingdom.”

“Might be good,” Michaela replied. “Tell it.”

Charise took a deep breath. Would her idea work? She began speaking slowly and calmly, “Once was a magical place. Over time it was lost; price increased the cost. Now the fortune of the kingdom is locked up in its dungeon vaults. The castle floor lies in traps with coiled wire set back, decoyed by old cheese. Now the drawbridge has been lifted, as the millions, they drop to their knees…”


When Charise finally finished several minutes later, she looked over at Michaela. The child was sound asleep.

“Oh well,” she said softly. “At least I can clean up without her being in my way.”




Ophelia and Cy walked Emily back to her house. The trio laughed and joked the whole way.

“We should do this again sometime,” Emily said.

“Definitely,” Cy agreed.

“Fine with me. If next weekend looks okay for both of you, I might be able to plan something for us to do,” Ophelia replied.

Emily hugged Ophelia and Cy. “Take care!” she called out as she unlocked the door, opened it, and walked in.


Cy gave Ophelia a knowing smile. “You’re good at picking your friends, you know that?”

“Of course. After all, you’re my best friend,” Ophelia responded with a grin, giving Cy a brief hug.

“Now, what do you say we go hit that ice cream place you mentioned on the phone?” Cy asked.