[symetrik]

you seem to be keen on a story so lemme tell you a classic.
it’s about a girl in a fantasy land,
dreaming of the day she’d meet a wonderful man.
yes, sweetie, like your barbie doll… just, not made of plastic.
I wanna preface the story with a piece of advice:
it’s okay to decide that you don’t even like guys.
anyways, here we go, off to the story.
let me know if I’m reading too fast or making it boring.

she pulls the blanket up over her chin and just under her nose,
her wide eyes close as she drinks in the prose

Cindy was a sweet girl, always one to roll with the punches.
a soft little bap on the arm
She faced each day with a smile and plenty of charm…
just like you! she giggles and blushes
she also loved the animals that lived in the yard.
”what kind?”
rabbits and birds, wild ones, and especially mice.
and her work ethic… ”her what?”… well, she worked hard.

her eyes open, shimmering slightly. “like mom did?”
I take a small breath without breaking my grin…
yeah, kid

she nods and settles back

she loved working out in the dirt, with the plants and the worms.
”ewwww…” she giggles and squirms
she had even hand-built the sideyard’s trellis.
plus, (though she didn’t even know it), she was gorgeous.
like “birds frolic around her and sing in a beautiful chorus”.
with everything going for her… her family were jealous.

”are you jealous?”
I’m jealous that you get to be young
”that’s dumb”
You’re dumb, little monkey. Want me to finish the story?
she giggles and nods. “please read ‘til I’m snoring!”

her family wasn’t kind to her. they gave her awful tasks,
like sweeping out the chimneys full of decades of ash,
soot-covered and coughing, not feeling a tickle of pity… her arms move to her sides, defensively…
they’d then remind her of their plans to go visit the city.
”so she couldn’t go?!”
essentially.

but after years of putting up with it, Cindy had a plan.
she’d been sewing a dress, with the intent of attending events and meeting a man.
now, the book says the mice helped. why do you think it’s written that way?
she rubbed some sleep from her eyes... “because asking for help is okay?”
that’s right. there’s also some magic involved… ”hey dad?”
yeah, kid?
”thanks for helping me fall asleep like mom did.”
...
you bet.
”I’m ready for bed.”