"Grandmother, will you tell me a story?" the plump little toddler asked. Grandmother looked at him over the rims of her glasses.
"So, you want to hear a story, do you, Nathaniel?" The boy nodded, hope shining in his eyes. His grandmother chuckled quietly. Her grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and despite her age, she still looked strong. She cleared a spot on her lap, and the boy crawled up into it. The rocker began rocking crazily.
"Whoo, careful, Nathaniel! You don't want to send the chair on it's side with us in it, do you? Now, settle down." Nathaniel obediently sat down and looked at his grandmother's face.
"Grandmother? What kind of story is it going to be?"
His grandmother cocked her head at him. "I think I'll let you decide." Nathaniel's face lit up. She smiled. "What kind of story would you like to hear?"
Nathaniel though hard. He looked at his mother, who was sitting in the corner. She pretended to be absorbed in her reading. He looked back at his grandmother.
"How about that one that you told Mom?" His mother raised her eyes at the request.
"That's a little vague, son. Tell her exactly what you want." The young lady looked at her mother. "I'm sure your grandmother could find something to accommodate you." Grandmother chuckled at that and looked back down at her grandson. He was thinking hard.
He finally looked back up at her. "What are the restrictions?"
"No restrictions."
"Even though I'm only ten?"
"Even though you're only ten."
"Alright. I want something with lots of action. Fights, races, and kings." Grandmother opened her mouth to speak, but his mother spoke up first.
"Now, Nathaniel, you're not ready for that stuff. Pick something nicer." Her words were directed at Nathaniel, but her eyes were sending a message to Grandmother.
Not that one. Please, any story but that one. He's not ready.
Grandmother looked at her daughter. She plainly thought otherwise. She directed her comment to Nathaniel. "I have one in mind, but I'm not sure if you would like it. I'm also not sure if you're ready for it."
"I am too ready! No matter what's in it, I know that I'm ready."
Grandmother looked skeptical. "Well, if you say so. Just tell me if there's a problem in any of it. I'll be happy to talk about it." She opened her mouth to start, then thought better of it. "One last question. Do you want a true story, or a make believe one?"
"Come on, Grandma. You don't know a true one that has everything I wanted." He looked at his grandmother's eyes. "Do you?" She nodded. "Okay, I'll take that one." She smiled.
"Very well. It will take a long time to finish. I may have to put you to bed and finish it in the morning." Her grandson nodded, and snuggled against his grandmother.
"Alright, let's begin. Years ago, a land lay in peace, with a royal ramily to guard it from all evil. All were great, but one princess proved to be greater than the rest. This is her story..."
My Favorite Links
Back to Cafe Entrance
Back Home
