A Fanciful Friend

I had the opportunity to babysit for a friend last week. She has 6 lovely children. The boys and I went over to supervise 5 of the children. I assumed that all the children, mine included, would immediately run off and play. A house with 6 children has plenty of toys and chances for good games.

But instead we all ended up playing quietly and telling stories in the living room. As the storytelling starting picking up speed, my children begged for me to share some family legends about Beaumont the Cat (he often went by Beaumont Grey, of Grey Cat Industries…perhaps you had business dealings with them in the past? If so, I am not liable. You will have to sue him directly). Beaumont was full of personality (naughtiness) and there are a wealth of stories to tell about his obnoxious ways. He was also a scandalous liar, and the children love to be shocked at the wild whoppers he often boasted.

I obliged and told some Beaumont stories, including The Cat Who Loved to Make Raisins and The Cat Who Locked Me Out of My House, which are particular favorites of my children. The 4 year old son of my friend couldn’t resist this storytelling opportunity and told several of his own. I was charmed to hear about how one time, when he was at his house in Greece (he is a Greek knight, you see), he was making his way past some of the many spiderwebs in his castle when he stumbled into a hole that led to The Underworld. While there, he engaged several ghosts in deadly battle. He emerged the victor, of course (or how would he have been there to tell the tale??), and none the worse for wear.

His mother tells me that I missed the stories of his Greek parents, his sister, Josephina, and his Greek dog, Archimedes. What a shame! I’d have liked to hear about them.

Along with some gallant tales, I got some marvelous 2 year old cuddles, and the 7 year old girl even climbed into my lap for some snuggles. Heavenly!

~ by zhappyhomemaker on July 21, 2008.