The Door

I think I’ll get up out of bed and then go see what’s out there. First, feet to floor, a change of clothes, then go and comb my hair. So I did. While I stood facing the mirror, my mind began to wander. “Can’t wait to see the world,” I said. “Gotta see what’s yonder.” I packed a lunch, got my walkin’ shoes on, and hit the open road. Before too long, I came upon a small door at the base of a tall tree. I stooped down, knocked, and out came a curious toad! He carried a cane and wore a top hat. He greeted, “Welcome to here where our lakes are shallow, and all our hills are flat.”

Just as he spoke, an itty-bitty horse trotted by. He passed the door and went inside. So I thought I’d try. “No can do!” said the toad to me. “You have to be less than 5” plus three.” I stand 5’4. Too huge to fit through that door. The toad turned to the tree and called, “Fish! We have an outlander!” And with that, I got my out-for-adventure-from-out-of-bed wish.

The fish came out—a magnificent beast. He would escort me through their land. So off we went—fin to fin and hand to hand. We passed a miniature village with a minuscule pool and fleas were swimming there. A tiny gazebo held a band and music filled the air. I couldn’t believe what I saw. “Is this all a dream? Am I still asleep in bed?” Such a topsy-turvy place. But the fish carried on, on tail upright, and I followed while he pointed to things as he led. Their realm was so different with creatures in charge and not a human soul. A snail family on the right. On the left, a fox who lit a light a top a short pole.

In the distance, I saw it: a red-and-white Big Top tent. And toward the circus we went. The canvas stood only 10” high, but I lay down and peeked in and saw wonders, including sloths-yes-sloths-who hung from a bar and flew! Their crowd cheered loud. There were ants and caterpillars and mice and a hedgehog ringmaster, proud. He left his stand and handed me his whistle to remind me of my stay. Although I don’t think that I’ll ever forget this day.

The fish beckoned me back, but I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to leave this fantasy cockamamie world, ya know. With that whistle in my pocket, back we went, and he left me at the tree.

The toad came out and said, “Good-bye. You can come back you see.” I smiled then turned, and he tipped his hat. I returned home at that with my memories to keep. Next thing I knew, I woke from a deep, deep sleep.

How depressing. I jumped from bed to write this dream on paper and flew to my desk like a soaring missile. But I stepped on something that fell from my pocket. I looked down, and there was an itty-bitty silver whistle…Ha!

– © D. Payne