What a nice stream, thought Ditto. I wonder where it’s going? I wonder where it’s been? I wonder if it’s happy or sad? I wonder if it started as a small stream and made friends along the way, or lost friends along the way? It’s hard to tell… if a river is laughing or crying.
What’s that sound? said Harlan.
That is the sound, said Blurtso, of hungerless hunger.
What are you doing? said Harlan.
I’m meditating… on the sound of one ear twitching.
Cheep! said Harlan. Cheep! said Blurtso.
A donkey was pursued by two tigers, one from in front, one from behind. He also had a Chemistry exam the next day. “Is there any more pumpkin pie?” said the donkey.
You have not spoken of pumpkin pie.
I have not spoken of pumpkin pie.
This is the true pumpkin pie.
Hunger is the bow, whipped cream the arrow,
and pumpkin pie the target
one sights unflinchingly.
What’s your inner parakeet telling you? said Harlan. He’s telling me, said Blurtso, that there’s a half-eaten pumpkin pie in the fridge. What’s yours telling you? He’s telling me, said Harlan, that someone already finished the second half.
The moon is full. They say a full moon brings out the animal in you. I wonder what animal is in me? A bull, or a goat, or a parakeet? I’ve never really thought about my inner parakeet. I wonder how long it’s been trying to get out? I wonder if it’s unhealthy to keep it locked up. The world might be a different place, if we all got in touch with our inner parakeets.
And they gathered and said, “Speak to us of busy-ness.”
And Blurtso replied:
Most people do what they don’t need to do
even when they don’t need to do it.