The Loney Puddle

Here's a story I 'borrowed' from my book Endless Shifting Sand.

The Lonely Puddle

Arnold the puddle was lonely. There were no other puddles nearby to give him company and no other friendly creatures around, either. There was only a rock, just at his moist fringes, but, being a rock, he was quite taciturn.

“Hello!” said Arnold, trying to strike up conversation.

“Hmph,” grunted the rock, stonily.

“It certainly is a nice day today!” responded Arnold at this notice the rock bestowed upon him.

“Hmph,” repeated the rock.

“Maybe it’ll rain,” quipped Arnold hopefully, wanting to keep this friendly chat rolling along.

“Go jump inna lake,” grumbled the rock.

“Thank you!” sloshed Arnold, taking great pleasure in this compliment and getting so excited that he began seeping out, touching the rock.

“Hey!” exclaimed the rock, “Whaddaya doin’?”

“I’m spreading my happiness at finding a friend to talk to,” said Arnold.

“Aww… yer all wet,” glummed the rock.

“Oh, you sure have a nice way with words, Mr. Rock …I like you, too!”

“Dry up, will ya?”

“Oh … dear,” said Arnold, and he thought that perhaps he had somehow offended his new friend. He became so worried that he pulled away from the rock and tried to think of something cheery to say, in hopes of making amends. Putting his best reflection up, he said, “It sure does look like rain.”

“Dry up!” repeated the rock, gruffly.

Arnold was so hurt by this insult that he forgot his manners and, without thinking, blurted out, “Oh, you hard guy!”

The rock replied in surprise, “Why … thank you…” but Arnold only sniffed wetly to himself, feeling very lonely as the first few drops of rain began to fall.

Written by Michael Steven Platt years ago, but posted 4-17-09