Twelve Upon a Time…

by Edward Galluzzi

  Kelsey talked for several minutes and then said, “Goodbye.” Reni, John, Carrie and his mother gathered around Kelsey as he told of his chat with Joe. He was very pleased that Joe and his wife liked the gift he made for his father.

  It was two days later when Carrie received the phone call she hoped for. Her mother answered the call that was from Canada. The caller identified herself as Liz. She said that a purple hot air balloon landed on top of her house and asked for Carrie.

  Carrie stood at her mother’s feet with her hands outstretched. She took hold of the phone and hurriedly said, “This is Carrie. Did you find my balloon?” “Yes, indeed” replied the Canadian. She introduced herself to Carrie as Liz and told her how delighted she was even though it landed on her roof. Liz stated that her neighbor next door helped her get the balloon off the roof.

  Liz continued, “I thought your gift to your father was so precious. I know that he would like very much your painting of his airplane and hot air balloon.” “Thank you,” replied Carrie. The others listened as Carrie talked for several minutes and then said, “Goodbye.” John, Kelsey, Reni and her mother gathered around Carrie as she shared her conversation with Liz. She was happy that somebody found her hot air balloon. Carrie was pleased that Miss Flora liked the gift she prepared for her father.

  In the children’s excitement, they had forgotten that their mother’s hot air balloon was still out there to be found. If their mother was disappointed, however, it did not show on her face. They walked over to their mother and took her hands. John, Carrie, Kelsey and Reni reassured their mother that somebody soon would be calling for her.

  Days, weeks and then months passed without that special phone called to their mother. Carrie, Reni, John and Kelsey still became excited when the phone rang in hopes it was that special call for their june: memories in five balloons mother. However, months continued to pass and school was well on its way for another year.

  John, Carrie, Kelsey and Reni talked to each other one evening. They tried to decide if they should tell their mom how they felt about nobody finding or calling her about her bright orange balloon. If their mother had forgotten about it, they did not want to bring it up. John, Carrie, Kelsey and Reni decided to share their feelings with their mom because it was what they always did, pleasant or unpleasant.

  Jan told her children that they had about 15 minutes before bedtime. John, Carrie, Kelsey and Reni looked at each other with that “now or never” look. They walked up to their mom and Carrie spoke for all of them. She told her mother how sorry they were that her balloon was not found. Their mother, noting their somewhat somber faces, told them that she was not disappointed. Their mother said, “I’m happy that your balloons were found and people thought your messages to dad were wonderful.”

  Jan hug each of her children and continued, “Don’t be sad for me. Think of it this way: Nobody called about my bright orange balloon because it is still rising in the sky. One day, dad will get the messages and gift that I made for him. This is my hope and I have my memories. Nobody can take those away from me.” Reni, Carrie, Kelsey and John smiled at their mother and gave her a big, group, family hug.

  July: Furly and Kurly Color the Flag

  What a spang-sparkling day! It is July 3rd, the day before America’s birthday. Melissa and Sarah could hardly wait for every year their family celebrates their country’s birthday by attending the parade and fireworks in their town. They thought that this year was not going to be any different. Little do they know how different it would be!

  Sarah and Melissa lived in a small, rural town with their parents, Mark and Kathy. Small towns are known for their patriotism and the town of Bridgetrow was no exception. Melissa and Sarah were enjoying their summer by doing the usual things they do each summer. They swam in the creek that winds through their land, sold lemonade, played with their cats and dogs, and took care of the family garden.

  Now, the family garden was like no other and the tending of the garden was a family affair. The size of the garden was humongous and full of a wide variety of herbs and vegetables. In fact, there were a bevy of veggies. There were blushing tomatoes and spudding potatoes, beans lima and green, stalks of celery and bunches of broccoli. There were peppercorn and corn yellow and white as well as amber waves of grain that took flight.

  There were snips of parsnips and a nip of turnips, watery leeks and embarrassed beets and bamboo shoots that brussels sprouts. The garden was green with lettuce and the envy of parsley with tops of carrots for your eyes and sweet onions that made you cry. You could step on squashes and trip on garlic; there were plenty of peas and chicory, even water chestnuts and watercress.

  Plants and flowers were also in sight like eggplant and cauliflower of white. Cabbage can be found which knows no age and for those who like tall green stuff there was asparagus. The mighty okra it does grow and shallow shallots were planted all in a row. There were rooms of mushrooms and closets of artichokes, even combs of cucumbers and roots of rutabagas. Finally, for all to adore was that funny-shaped veggie known as the gourd.

  In each corner of the garden were clearly displayed, American flags that proudly wave. The stars and stripes, the red, white and blue, all for everybody to see in open view.

  Sarah, Melissa and their parents spend a lot of time tending their garden for they have a bevy of veggies and more veggies and veggies. That’s how their garden does grow. Mom, dad, Melissa and Sarah each have their part to keep their garden looking smart. Melissa the eldest weeded around the veggies as Sarah the youngest watered the little sprouts. Mom and dad did all the rest to keep the garden looking its best.

  One hot, summer day after Melissa had weeded and Sarah had watered, the girls lay down to take a rest. They talked excitedly about the upcoming parade and fireworks. Sarah and Melissa loved the colors and excitement of fireworks. The longer they talked, the more tired they grew. The breeze through the garden ruffled the veggies as the girls fell asleep near the embarrassed beets.

  As the sleep relaxed the girls, they began to dream. Moreover, that special bond between the sisters caused their dreams to be one and the same. Sarah and Melissa arrived in a midst of clouds in the year 1776. They were dressed in the fashion of the time and found themselves at the home of Betsy Ross.

  Now, Betsy Ross as you know was the American seamstress who to George Washington’s design was said to have made the first flag of the United States. Melissa and Sarah knocked on the door. Betsy Ross greeted them with a grandmotherly smile and beckoned them to enter.

  Betsy Ross talked to the girls as she returned to her rocking chair and the sewing of the flag. Melissa and Sarah saw threads of red, white and blue at her feet that she sewed expertly in place. As the girls watched, Betsy Ross explained to them what George Washington had asked of her.

  As Sarah and Melissa listened, two squirrels chatting in the window distracted them. Betsy Ross saw that the girls’ attention was waning as often occurred in the presence of chatting Furly and Kurly. She also learned a long time ago that she could not compete with their chatter as the two forest creatures often mesmerized children.

  Betsy Ross encouraged the two girls to go outside and meet Furly and Kurly. Melissa and Sarah excused themselves and ran out the door. They ran quickly to the side of the house where the two squirrelly creatures were, but Melissa put out her hand and stopped her sister dead in her tracks. Melissa cautioned, “We must not scare them.” Sarah and Melissa resumed their journey at a slow pace.

  As they rounded the corner of the old house, they came upon Furly and Kurly. Melissa and Sarah stopped and stared as the two squirrels sniffed the air with their noses uplifted. Their noses unlike their toeses tell the squirrels what they want to knowses.

  Sarah and Melissa looked at each other, as did Furly and Kurly. Furly broke the silence and said, “You must be Melissa.” Kurly followed with “You must be Sarah.” The girls were astonished and uncertain as to how the squirrelly creatures knew their names let alone speak so as to un
derstand them—for Melissa and Sarah did not speak squirrelese. They seemed friendly enough for four-legged creatures. Furly and Kurly introduced themselves and said to the girls’ surprise, “Follow us!” With that, the two squirrels ran off into the nearby woods. Sarah and Melissa followed quickly and soon disappeared into the greenery before them.

  The light began dwindling from the shade provided by the canopy of tall trees. Melissa and Sarah turned toward each other with that creepy look and held on tightly as they walked deeper and deeper into the woods. Now, you would not think that they could see Furly and Kurly ahead. They would not except that their tails glowed in the dark. It was not hard for Sarah and Melissa to follow the swishing and wagging of bright colored tails. It was like watching a puppet play in the dark!

  The darkness gradually became lighter. It was then that Melissa and Sarah began to notice things drifting in the air around them and occasionally landing on them. As the light became brighter, the girls could distinguish colors among the floating objects. Curiously, they saw objects of red, blue and white drifting all around them.

  Melissa threw out her hand and caught one of the drifting objects. It was roughly round and light to the touch. Melissa showed the claimed object to Sarah. The girls studied it closely when they realized that it was a cloud of cotton!

  “Cotton,” Sarah thought. Before the girls had time to ponder their discovery, Furly and Kurly motioned for them to continue their trek into the lightness. Melissa set adrift the globe of cotton and the girls followed their friendly squirrels.

  The light soon became bright as Melissa and Sarah followed Furly and Kurly into a clearing. The girls’ eyes widened as they gazed upon rows and rows of cotton plants. The rows were arranged according to color. There were red, white and blue cotton plants.

  In addition to the cotton plants, there were little furry creatures of every kind picking the cotton. Sarah and Melissa saw fuzzy bunnies and rascally rabbits. They saw yapping dogs and meowing cats. Birds as light as air and wide-eyed owls were there. Fawn and full-grown deer were also near.

  Furly and Kurly could plainly see that the girls were indeed surprised. They explained to Melissa and Sarah that the colors of the flag were actually their idea. They provided Betsy Ross with enough colored cotton to be woven into thread to make as many flags as she desired.

  Sarah and Melissa did not want to feel left out and asked Furly and Kurly if they could help pick some cotton. The furry creatures replied “sure” and the girls were on their way. Melissa picked cotton of red and Sarah picked blue. Once they kicked the mud off their shoes to make them bright, they both picked cotton of white.

  Sarah and Melissa were instructed to place the cotton separated by color on big white sheets that lay opened on the ground. As soon as the sheets were filled with cotton, birds of every kind grabbed the edges of the sheets and off they went. Furly and Kurly informed the girls that the sheets would be placed near the home of Betsy Ross for her use.

  After a long time of cotton pickin’, the girls grew tired. Furly and Kurly suggested that they return to the home of Betsy Ross. They took the lead with Melissa and Sarah not far behind. The woods grew dark once again and they relied on the glowing tails of Furly and Kurly to light their way. The girls soon found themselves safely at the home of Betsy Ross.

  Sarah and Melissa knocked politely and walked in the house when greeted by Betsy Ross. She could tell by the looks in their eyes that they had enjoyed their little adventure. Melissa and Sarah noticed that the flag being sewn was now completed. Betsy Ross stood up and told the girls that she would deliver the flag to Mr. Washington. She asked to girls to wait for her, as she would soon return.

  Betsy Ross no sooner left the house than a foggy mist enveloped the cabin. Melissa and Sarah could no longer see, as the mist was as thick as a pirate’s beard. As the haze disappeared, the girls found themselves next to the garden where they had always been. They rubbed their eyes and said together, “You’ll never guess where I went!” The girls shared their stories with each other to discover that their stories were one in the same. They decided that all was a dream and smiled with wonder.

  Melissa and Sarah gazed toward their garden. They scratched their heads and rubbed their eyes, but nothing could take away from their big surprise.

  Their garden looked the same. They saw the blushing tomatoes and spudding potatoes, beans lima and green, stalks of celery and bunches of broccoli. There were peppercorn and corn yellow and white as well as amber waves of grain that take flight.

  There were snips of parsnips and a nip of turnips, watery leeks and embarrassed beets and bamboo shoots that brussels sprouts. The garden was green with lettuce and the envy of parsley with tops of carrots for your eyes and sweet onions that made you cry. You could step on the squashes and trip on garlic; there were plenty of peas and chicory, even water chestnuts and watercress.

  Plants and flowers were also in sight like eggplant and cauliflower of white. Cabbage could be found which knows no age and for those who liked tall green stuff there was asparagus.

  The mighty okra it did grow and shallow shallots were planted all in a row.

  There were rooms of mushrooms and closets of artichokes, even combs of cucumbers and roots of rutabagas. Finally, for all to adore was that funny shaped veggie known as the gourd.

  Yes, the garden looked the same except that cotton plants of red, white and blue surrounded their entire bevy of veggies. Sarah and Melissa scratched their heads more than a few, but were unable to explain what their eyes did view. Melissa said to Sarah, “We were dreaming, weren’t we?” Before Sarah could answer, a rustle came from the cotton plants. To their wonder and surprise, Furly and Curly waved “hi.”

  August: The “Yad Gnihton Taerg” on the Mirror Planet

  On the mirror planet, Tenalp, everything appeared topsy-turvy to non-inhabitants of Tenalp. However, to the Tenalpians, everything looked, as it should be. Visitors were confused and bewildered while Tenalpians were unaffected by their mirrored world. What looked backward to the former appeared forward to the latter.

  The leader of Tenalp was Sir Ssur. Sir Ssur was a tall standing figure even by the standards of Tenalpians. Tenalpians, on average, were 8 feet, 3.5 inches tall. Sir Ssur was 9 feet, 2 inches tall. The first wife of Tenalp, Ris Nyliram, was 9 feet, 3 inches tall. The leaders of Tenalp stood very tall indeed!

  Sunrise was early today on Tenalp. As the light of the three moons of the mirrored planet (Iont, Eoj and Atrebor) dwindled with its twin rising suns (Al and Llib), preparations on Tenalp were being made for the 500-year celebration of the “Yad Gnihton Taerg”; or to non-inhabitants, the “Great Nothing Day.”

  The Yad Gnihton Taerg is celebrated every 500 years by the Tenalpians. The festival was started in honor of the first leader of Tenalp, Sir Gnihton. Sir Gnihton guided the Tenalpians nearly ten million years ago. Yad Gnihton Taerg is celebrated every 500 years. It is during this time that Tenalp’s twin suns and three moons orbit in the same trajectory around Tenalp.

  Only the inhabitants of Tenalp originally celebrated the festival. In the last million years or so, a limited number of visitors were permitted to attend the festival from all quadrants of the universe.

  Nick, Sammy and Shannon lived on the planet Earth in the Confection quadrant of space, the Milky Way. It was only July in earth calendar time, but they were excited about the upcoming festival on Tenalp. Shannon, Sammy and Nick were chosen by drawing on the planet Tenalp to join in their festivities as members of the Confection quadrant of space. They recently received special glasses shipped by SPU of Tenalp. These glasses used a mirror-like lens that will help visitors of Tenalp see forward what Tenalpians see backward, which to them is forward and to visitors is backward. Forward is backward and backward is forward. Depends upon your point of view, doesn’t it?

  Shannon, Sammy and Nick were practicing their names in Tenalpian for once they arrived on Tenalp, they were expected to follow the customs of the mirror planet. The three chi
ldren were trying to get use to their Tenalpian names. So, Shannon, Sammy and Nick would soon be Nonnahs, Ymmas and Kcin. They could not help but giggle a little as each said their Tenalpian names aloud.

  Meanwhile, back on the planet Tenalp, the Tenalpians were putting into place the final preparations for the Yad Gnihton Taerg. The main celebration will take place at the center of Tenalp in its capital city of Rorrim. Rorrim has never looked more beautiful in the past 500 years. Native flowers and plants lined the roadway. In honor of visitors to Tenalp for the Yad Gnihton Taerg, flora from every known quadrant of the universe was also planted.

  As preparations continued on planet Tenalp, Sammy, Nick and Shannon continued their readiness on planet Earth. The shuttle to the space station will be leaving in two days. From the space station orbiting planet earth, the flight to Tenalp will take another two weeks.

  Nick, Shannon and Sammy had plenty of packing yet to do. Even though the Yad Gnihton Taerg festival lasted only 42 sruoh, the equivalent of 24 hours on Earth, the journey will take 31 days round trip—the entire month of August.

  Shuttle day finally came. Shannon, Nick and Sammy arrived in Florida with three hours to spare before flight time. They checked in and followed the routine procedures for a shuttle flight. They boarded the shuttle with 500 other passengers who had divergent destinations. Nick, Shannon and Sammy were the only three passengers destined for Tenalp.

  Shannon, Sammy and Nick had flown in many planes, but this was their first time on a shuttle flight. They were a bit scared as Shannon clawed tightly the sides of her seat. Nick read the instructions on the “sick air bag” and Sammy was young enough to be more excited than frightened.