When I was growing up I loved animals just as much as I do today. My parents indulged our need for animal companionship and so we have had every pet imaginable. When I was four years old I was playing outside in a kiddie pool with our newest pet: a box turtle. You know how little kids love critters so much, they tend to squeeze the bejesus out of the poor little thing? Well, I was one of those little kids. I couldn't get enough of this turtle. I thought that he was the coolest thing ever. In my four-year-old mind I loved him so much, I decided to give him a kiss to prove to him my affections. And so I puckered up and went for it. Just as I was coming in for the smooch, I was jolted by an intense sensation of pain. He bit me! He chomped down hard on my upper lip and I guess he loved me too because he would not let go. I flailed and screamed and spun, but he would not release me from his serious lip lock. My dad came out to the sight of me and could do nothing but double over in hysterical laughter. It took him a few moments to compose himself, but he was finally able to pry the little lover off of my top lip. I emerged sobbing and saying in broken speech, "I - just - wanted - to - give - him - a - kiss!" To this day I smile whenever I think about the little box turtle, but I haven't had a pet turtle since.
No comments:
Post a Comment