Taking Pear Drop Home

The following was submitted to Kari's school as his account of taking care of the school's mascot overnight

The little green guy peered nervously from his 'translocation' machine. He had no idea where we were taking him or what to expect. Only Kari’s presence prevented him from screaming for his mother, the one some of the kids call ‘Miss Barbie’.

He relaxed a bit after Kari excitedly introduced him to his mommy and daddy.

“Who is your friend,” Kari’s daddy asked.

Kari responded, “Ear Aap,” (meaning Pear Drop).

“Is he coming home with us,” Kari’s mommy and daddy asked.

“Yeah,” Kari answered.

And so we set out for home with an extra passenger clinging to Dakari for comfort or safety.

When we got home, ‘Ear Aap’ was immediately introduced to Scurry, Kari’s pet guinea pig who refuses to live up to its name (Kari feeds him too much so we are considering renaming him to Gluttonous).

Following the introductions, ‘Ear Aap’ was led to the dining table for rice ‘n’ peas and fried fish ‘provided’ by daddy. ‘Ear Aap’ was fed two spoons full by Kari and daddy before deciding he was full (I hoped Scurry learned something). Kari showed him how a real big boy eats his supper.

After supper, Kari went for his bath while ‘Ear Aap’ played with some of his toys. Kari usually decides who he wants to bathe him and this time he chose daddy – a real honor (mommy and daddy both get their fair share of selection).

Following his bath, Kari introduced ‘Ear Aap’ to his ‘bestest’ friend, Curious George. They both spent the next 30 minutes watching two episodes of Curious George. The first was about George as a pirate and the second featured George on a camping trip. ‘Ear Aap’ loved them both and wanted to see more but Kari reluctantly told him it was time for bed.

As is customary, Kari chose two books for bedtime and was kind enough to allow ‘Ear Aap’ to chose one for himself. Kari selected Dear God, Do You Need My Help? and Dear God, Is There Anything Too Big For You? ‘Ear Aap’ chose Babar and the Christmas House (we thought it was a little early for that book but read it anyway). They enjoyed their stories and everyone including ‘Ear Aap’ got a chance to pray. Kari and ‘Ear Aap’ prayed for all the boys and girls in their class and for ‘Miss Barbie’ aka Teacher Morbey and Teacher Bean. ‘Ear Aap’ was privileged enough to earn a spot on Kari’s bed taking the place of Big George, Small George, and Baby George. ‘Ear Aap’ must be very special. Mommy and daddy then tucked everyone in and gave them goodnight kisses (I refused to kiss 'Ear Aap'). “Good night Kari. Good night Pear Drop.”

In the morning, ‘Ear Aap’ woke up in a bed all by himself. You see, Kari wakes up very early each morning and makes his way across to mommy and daddy’s room. After Kari woke up, he and ‘Ear Aap’ selected two books for the morning’s reading. They chose Yesterday I Had the Blues and If You Take a Mouse to School.

After reading, it was time for breakfast. Kari helped ‘Ear Aap’ to some French toast sticks and pediasure. They enjoyed breakfast. Kari then went to brush his teeth and get dressed. ‘Ear Aap’ did not have to because he has no teeth and he wears ‘special’ clothes which doesn’t need changing.

We were sad to see ‘Ear Aap’ go. He was such a well-behaved mascot. We believe Kari has made a friend for his Pre-school life.