Story Time

Nighttime had fallen over the valley, and the animals were making their way toward the small tent.  A soft glow was being emitted from the place, inviting the animals into the home of the giant man.  

Said man was getting ready for bed, locking up the fridge (not wanting a repeat of Lou eating the butter), changing into his pajamas and climbing into bed, a mug of warm tea in one hand and some knitting in the other.  He put his round framed glasses on and started to work on the scarf he was making when the animals started to file in.  First were the swans, heading toward the bowls on the shelf that were just for their nests.  Next were the fish, hopping up into the already filled mugs and cups of water.  Last were the bar-ba-loots, many of them lying around the tent floor, but Pipsqueak climbed up onto the bed, trying to curl up in the Once-ler's lap, which was currently covered in a half made scarf.

"Evening guys.  I guess you want your story now don't you?"  he said with a chuckle as he moved the knitting onto the side table and removed the glasses from his face.  Pipsqueak then climbed fully into his lap, a smile on his face.  "Ok guys, what to tell you, what to tell you…Oh, I know!  How about 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'?  Sound good to you?"  A rustle of heads nodding yes was the conclusion.

"Ok, Once upon a time there was a very naughty girl named Goldilocks…"

"What kind of name is 'Goldilocks' Beanpole?"  Once-ler jumped, almost knocking Pipsqueak off of his lap.  He turned to see the Lorax, resting on his right side like always.  The man frowned at the guardian, not really angry though.

"Gahh!  Is this going to be a reoccurring theme with you?"

"Maybe kid.  Anyway, what kind of name is Goldilocks?"

"It's the name the author gave her.  Now I'm going to continue the story."  With this he turned back to the other animals.

"Anyway Goldilocks's mother told her to not walk in the woods, but one day she did anyway."

"Sounds like she's related to you Beanpole."

"Hush.  While walking she found a cottage in the woods.  At the time she was getting very hungry and hoped that there was food there.  The door was open, so she walked right in."

"Now I know she is related to you."

Once-ler glared down at the guardian.  "Why would you say a thing like that?"

"Well, you came into the valley without permission."

"… fine you have me there.  Continuing the story now, when she walked into the cottage she found three bowls of porridge.  She tasted the first large bowl, but it was too hot.  The second bowl was medium is size, but it was too cold.  The last bowl, the smallest, was just right, and so she at it all up."

"Now she's eating other people's food?  What kind of story are you telling them?"

"You guys do the same thing to me.  Next Goldilocks wanted a place to sit.  The first largest chair was too hard, the second chair was too soft, but the third chair was just right, well it was until it broke."

"Now she's breaking their things?"

"Yet again, you guys to the same thing to me.  Are you going to interrupt me every time I say something?"

"Fine, continue the story."  The Lorax said with a wave of his hand

"Thank you.  After the chair broke she headed up the stairs, looking for a place to rest.  

The first bed was too hard.  The second bed was too soft, but the third bed was just right.  She soon fell asleep in it.  A few hours later the bears of the cottage returned."

"Wait, wait, wait, what's a bear and why do they have a cottage?"

"Stop interrupting me Mustache!  A bear is like a bar-ba-loot, only not as friendly.  And it's a story, so they can have a cottage just cause."

"Fine, fine."  He grumbled, but stopped talking.  Speaking quickly he tried to finish the story.

"The bears found the porridge disturbed.  Father saw the bowls and asked 'Somebody's been eating my porridge?'.  The mother then asked 'Somebody's been eating my porridge?'.  The baby bear then said 'Somebody ate all of mine!'  They then continued to the sitting room to see the chairs.  The father bear said 'Somebody's been sitting in my chair.'  Mother bear saw her chair and said 'Somebody's been sitting in my chair."  Baby bear said then said 'Somebody broke my chair!'  They continued upstairs and looked at their beds.  Father bear said 'Somebody's been sleeping in my bed.'  Mother bear said 'Somebody's been sleeping in my bed.'  Baby bear said 'Somebody is sleeping in my bed!'  With this Goldilocks woke up and ran from the cottage, heading straight home and never going into the woods again.  The end."  He let out a breath, and looked around.  Many of the animals were asleep, all except for Pipsqueak and the Lorax.

"Great story kid, even if it never happened."

"Thanks so much for that.  Night Pipsqueak."  Once-ler turned out the light rolling onto the left side of the bed.

"What no good night for me?"

"You kept interrupting.  Now go to sleep."  With this they both went to sleep, knowing there would be more friendly fighting in the morning.