The Great Tent of Sticks
THE CHRONICLES
Dear Chronicle,
Some days are great days. Others, not so much.
But you only realize it after the fact.
Today started like it would be a great day because I found what must be the world’s most impressive stick.
It was much longer than me, which would no doubt make me the envy of all the neighborhood dogs.
I showed it to Giggle Sprout.
He gave it several respectful “oooohs” and “aaaahs,” and we named the stick Gargantuo.
Then he said it belonged in the Great Tent of Sticks.
I agreed.
The Great Tent of Sticks is a miracle to behold:
a growing collection of sticks with a mind of its own. For every stick we add, ten more mysteriously appear in the pile.
So we set off to deliver Gargantuo.
The forest strongly objected. I should have paid attention.
After two steps, a tree hit the stick. Then another. Instead of taking the hint, I resorted to dragging Gargantuo while my veggie friend cheered me on.
Eventually, we arrived.
Behold: the Great Tent of Sticks!
Even larger than before.
We reverently added Gargantuo.
At that moment, Dad appeared at the edge of the clearing.
He looked at the pile for a long time, as if confirming we had clearly done this correctly. Then he made a very quick movement with something small in his hand.
A sudden flash.
The Great Tent of Sticks became extremely luminous and uncomfortably hot.
Giggle Sprout nodded thoughtfully, as if this was expected.
I rolled my eyes.
Never trust a sprout.
