That was a wonderful supper, said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan, it was. But it’s sad to think, said Blurtso, that everything we ate was once alive. Yes, said Harlan, that’s true. I suppose, said Blurtso, that everything that is ever alive is eventually eaten. Yes, said Harlan, it is. Harlan? said Blurtso. Yes? said Harlan. I hope whoever eats me is as nice as you. Thank you, said Harlan, I feel the same way.
Do you have an iPhone? said Blurtso. No, said Harlan. Do you ever think, said Blurtso, about all the texting people are doing, and wonder what we’re missing? No, said Harlan, but I wonder what they’re missing.
O.K., thought Blurtso, I’d better get serious and do some living. Tell my friends and tell my family, be engaged and be engaging, be connected and accepted, broadcasting every thing I’m thinking, what I am and what I’m not, what I shall and I shall not, not forgotten when I’m talking, when I’m sitting, when I’m walking, just as long as I keep talking, are you listening are you listening?!
Ditto is very talented, said Blurtso. I know, said Pablo, Bonny is always teaching him something useful and profound.
Do you think there are donkeys on other planets?
I wonder if I will like being famous? thought Blurtso. When the world is filled with Blurtso t-shirts and coffee mugs, Blurtso paintings and sculptures and smiling Blurtsos cast in bronze, Blurtso billboards and displays, neon and virtual and Christmas and Easter Blurtsos, and spin-off Blurtsos ad nauseum… I wonder if I will remember these days with nostalgia, when a simple donkey could have a simple meal, and take a nap in the comfort of perfect anonymity.
Today we’ll focus on color, said Bonny, and explore its variety, its juxtaposition, and its infinite potential for expression…
Excellent! said Bonny.
How do I know when it’s done?
Mmmmm, the cooling air makes the grass smell sweet, and the sounds seem more distinct… a raven, an owl, the echo of an axe… and the quickening pulse of the crickets.
Maybe we should make plans for the future, said Pablo. The future? said Bonny. Yes, said Pablo, what are we going to do? We’ll be together, said Bonny. Yes, said Pablo, but what we will we do? We’ll walk around, said Bonny. And then? said Pablo. Then we’ll eat and drink, said Bonny. And then? said Pablo. Then we’ll sleep, said Bonny. And then? said Pablo. Then we’ll walk around, said Bonny. And then? said Pablo. Then we’ll eat and drink, said Bonny. And then? said Pablo. Then we’ll sleep, said Bonny. And the next day? said Pablo. Yes, said Bonny, and the next day. Wow, said Pablo, that sounds wonderful! Yes, said Bonny, it truly does.