The Oatmeal Bath

Once upon a time there were two little kids taking a  bath. They had gotten lots of chigger bites at the lake so their mom made them a soothing oatmeal bath. Their mother was doing the dishes while they were relaxing in the suds.

All of a sudden, a giant opened up the roof to the bathroom and peeked inside.  He smelled the warm oatmeal and got himself a spoon. He reached down and scooped up a spoonful of the oatmeal bath. The little boy, Paul, was on the  spoon! The giant had poor eyesight nor could he hear very well.  He didn't even know the children were there.

Maggie yelled, "Jump, Paul!"

Paul ran up the spoon handle, leapt onto the giant's beard, slid onto the edge of  his shirt pocket, and dived back into the oatmeal bath.  He snatched Maggie up, they jumped out of the tub, and ran into the kitchen.  "Mom, there's a giant  eating our bath!" they screamed. Mom trudged back into the bathroom, and she didn't notice anything out of order. "Kids, put on your p.j.'s and brush your teeth," she sighed.

The kids looked at each other and shrugged.  Mom didn't believe them.

After Paul and Maggie very reluctantly went up to bed, their  big brother, Brooks, began his bath. Suddenly, the roof popped open again, and there was the giant! Brooks froze. When the giant leaned down to eat some more oatmeal, Brooks  spotted a large plastic sword. He wound up his arm like he was going to throw a fast ball.  With a "WHIRRR, WHIRRR, WHIRRR" he flung the sword right at the giant's neck.

The sword stuck into his throat, knocking him off balance. He stumbled  backwards and fell into the electric lines that ran down the street. There was a CRACKLE and a POP and a POOF! Then the giant disappeared into thin air.  The neighborhood went into pitch, black darkness.  Everyone came outside to  see what was up. Paul, Maggie, and Brooks didn't really know how to explain what had happened and didn't think that anyone would believe them anyway.

When Dad came home, they rushed to tell him their story. He just shook his  head and thought that they had vivid imaginations, although it appeared that Mom was believing this incredible tale.  Everyone went off to bed, and Dad  went in to tidy up the bathroom. There, on the floor was a giant spoon!

The End

Francis Allgood

ã1999