Max: Mom, will you snuggle me?
Me: Sure.
Max: And will you tell me a long, sad story?
Me: A long, sad story?
Max: Yeah, a long, sad story about war.
Me: A long, sad story about war?
Max: Yeah, like from the eighties. Or the nineties.
I climbed under the blanket next to Max, and began a fictional tale about a man who leaves his family behind to go to war during the great war of 1988. Eventually, the man lost his leg in battle and struggled to write the letter home about his misfortune, so he went silent. His family panicked when his letters stopped coming and feared the worst. Then, one day many months later, a taxi pulled up in front of the family's home and one of the little boys was looking out the window and saw a man get out with a pair of crutches. The little boy noticed right away that the man's leg was missing because his pant leg was tied in a knot. And he was so transfixed on the missing leg that he never looked up to see that it was his father, returning home from war. And, also, Milli Vanilli was playing in the background. When the doorbell rang, one by one the family members made their way to the door and into the arms of their beloved father and husband and they all enjoyed a very happy reunion.
Me: The end.
Max: That wasn't long enough.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
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20 comments:
Oh, come on, you could have at least told him the story of "Red Dawn"! But maybe you're too much of a young un' to know that one.
Good job with the impromptu war story. Very nice.
I graduated from high school in 1988, but am having a hard time remembering this war. Maybe because it was such a long time ago.
I get a lump in my throat every time I think about the great war of 1988. I'm glad you left out the explicit violence. But if you had included it, it would have been long enough.
Milli Vanilli. Good times.
Oh my. That is so funny. Love it.
I've never read War and Peace, but I'm wondering if there is a junior version. If so, that's the one I will read. And since I've never read it, maybe it has nothing to do with war anyway. And peace. Anyway, that's beside the point. I love Max.
That was hilarious. =D
You tell the best bedtime stories! Max has a great mommy :)
I love your combination of wars. I bet this story has actually happened in every war!
Thanks for your comment on my blog. I appreciate your encouragement!
Glad to know I can look forward to several more years of bedtime snuggles with my son!
The great war of 1988. So awful I'd forgotten it.
I guess Max wouldn't enjoy THE ENEMY: A Book About Peace, a picture book by Davide Cali and Serge Bloch. However, there IS blood and mayhem contained within - AND there are pictures - kind of stick-figureish. Not saying the picture book could possibly compete with his mommy's tale, but he might like it.
Just discovered your blogsite via Ann Cannon's reference. Love your writing! And your stories! I included you on my blogroll. Hope that's okay!
that's hilarious! would be a great children's book...
love your blog. :)
The next time I need something to read at 3:00 in the morning, I'll just visit your blog in hopes of finding another story about a one-legged man.
Oh wow. I really love you guys. That was awesome.
best bedtime story ever!
So cute!
I am not sure who is funnier, you or Max. You guys could be your own sitcom.
Love you.
Is that how you spell Milli Vanilli??? I always thought it was one word with a bunch more e's and y's in it. I guess I was WAY off.
I love that you included some random 1988 pop culture in there. Gives it athenticity.
Milli Vanilli...hands down the best part!
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