Nostalgic NoktoaShe picked me up out of a pile of discarded toys, I was broken, burned, and filthy. It was love at first sight for her, but I knew I was hideous. She ran to her mom, and tugged on her arm. She proudly held me up high and squealed.
“I’m sorry honey, but I don’t want that filthy thing in my home!”
A single tear fell from her eye; she looked at the floor in dismay.
As her grandma walked up I hear “What is that you are holding my dear?”
Again I was thrusted toward the sky!
“Well isn’t that beautiful!”
"MOM! Do not encourage her, I do not want that ugly, awful thing in my house! It is filthy, it is burned, and god only knows what is living inside it!” The other lady was stern, making it very clear that I was not welcome. I had resigned myself to going back in the bin. By this time the little girl’s grip on me was so tight, I thought I was being strangled.
“ENOUGH! I am your mother, just like you are hers! If you can not see your daughter is crying over this ‘poor excuse of a stuffed animal’. You are upsetting her, and she obviously loves this! Remember where you were not so long ago, and someone took the time, patience, and love with you to help you overcome. Do not forget where you came from little girl…” Grandma turns herself to the one that was holding me, and in a very soft, calm voice she says “Please let me have your stuffy, I will make sure it comes home with us! I will take it home first, and bring it to you tomorrow all fixed.”
I am stuffed in a suffocating plastic bag, and the rumblings of the two women were very muted. All I know is that I am moving. Luckily, the bag opens slightly, and some air gets through the top, or who knows what may have happened. It was about 20 minutes later, the bag is picked up and I am moving again. Grandma takes me out of the bag, and sets me on her kitchen counter. She picks me up to assess what she is working with. My right eye is missing, both of my wings were barely holding on, my eyebrows were burned off by the last demon child that held me. I had holes where they had put cigarettes out on me, and I smelled like rancid milk. “Well, Little Guy, this is not going to be easy.” Grandma declared.
She takes out a small brush, a wonderful smelling soap, and begins to scrub. It feels so good... getting clean again, it had been a long, long time. Once each of my stains had been carefully scrubbed, she removed what was left of the rancid smelling stuffing. She filled me with new stuffing that had a calming scent to it. She closed up the hole, and began to fix my other parts. By removing my left eye I was unable to see, but I could hear her rustling around… before too long She had come back and placed two new eyes! It is the first time I have been able to see in a very long time! She then pulled off my wings, and sewed the holes that were left behind. My wings were attached with two more eyes, but I can not see out of those. She cut out the portions of my belly that had the burns in them. Those were replaced by the softest fabric I had ever had on me. She carefully constructed new eyebrows, replaced those with love. I was set on the table, and able to see in the mirror across the room. I looked brand new!
The next morning Grandma scooped me up, and stuck me in her purse. We were off again! I hear the mean lady and the Grandma talking, she pulled me out of her purse. “See, I told you I could fix it. Make it like new, and everything would be just fine.” Grandma explained as the other lady nodded in acceptance. The little girl came up to her Grandma, and Grandma handed me to her. “Here is Salutatious, hold her tight, and never let her go.” She grabbed me, and hugged me tight. I was off and running with my new human, and ready to embark on my newest journey.
That night, it was bedtime. The girl held onto me tight! Her mother came in and read her a story. The lights were shut off, and now it was time. I placed my wing on her temple, and begin to imagine where we are going to go.
The one thing the little girl did not know is that I am not your normal stuffed animal. I bring amazing dreams to children. The reason why I was torn, tattered, stained, and burned was the little boy’s brother I was with before was jealous of his dreams. I am able to guide the little ones on where they want to go, and bring it out of their subconscious. Tonight, we will be riding on lions in the Sahara. Tomorrow, only she knows!
story by 
Gatta profile and coding by 
Puncture
