In Arby’s World

I once wrote a short story about a man in an insane asylum who met a series of characters found in children’s books and television shows.

It was autobiographical.

I often find myself reading books to my children and thinking, “That would never happen if I wrote this story. In my story…”

I’m remarkably good at reading to the kids while actively daydreaming.

Today, I present to you “This is What Happens in Arby’s World.” My very first “This is What Happens in Arby’s World” presentation is:

The Very Quiet Cricket
By Eric Carle

One warm day, from a tiny egg
a little cricket was born.

Welcome! chirped a big cricket,
rubbing his wings together.
The little cricket wanted to answer,
so he rubbed his wings together.
But nothing happened. Not a sound.

Good morning! whizzed a locust,
spinning through the air.
The little cricket wanted to answer,
so he rubbed his wings together.
But nothing happened. Not a sound.

Hello! whispered a praying mantis,
scraping its huge front legs together.
The little cricket wanted to answer,
but before he could even try to rub his
wings together the praying mantis
lunged towards him, trapping the young
cricket between his forearms.

He quickly bit off the cricket’s head,
munching happily. The cricket said nothing.
Not a sound. He couldn’t.

He didn’t have a head.

Ooooo, a two-fer! croaked the frog,
catching the dining praying mantis on
his long, sticky tongue.
And he hopped away.

The End