Tuesday, September 1, 2009

"Ask Mister Blister!"

They say the legend began there, in the village near the Blue Sea, when two sisters, who had they been any closer in age would have been twins, dawdled a little too long as they walked home from school. The girls loved to peer into shop windows and examine wildflowers during their daily trek home, but on this eventful day, twilight came suddenly. Having left the lane to rest under an ancient aspen while savoring pocket-sweets, they became Two Lost Girls in a matter of moments as last light was leaving the sky. Using the hand signals they developed as a secret language all their own, they discussed whether to go left or right once they found the lane again. Bewilderment entwined and bound them like fast-growing ivy. In the quickened evening nothing looked familiar!

At that moment, a youth appeared before them, wearing tattered cuff of shirt and pants, yet a most natty orange and white striped vest. He studied their finger signs intently. The girls took notice of him as well, from his chestnut curls, to his warm smile, to his broken boots, mostly useless. He held out his walking stick to the girls who each put one hand on it. At once they became Unlost as the tip of the stick began to softly glow as though lit from within, blinking intermittently like a firefly.

Reaching the doorstep of their home, the girls rushed inside to tell their parents about their young guide.

“How did you ever find your way home?” asked their Father.

“Ask Mister Blister!” answered the girls. "Ask Mister Blister!"

“Invite him in!” urged their Mother, shooing them back toward the door. “He must have tea before he goes. There is a chill in the air!”

But he was already a far piece down the lane, a bit of bright orange fabric and the glow of the walking stick was all they could see.

And so the legend continued as children ‘round the world took comfort in finding their way home, with the help of a certain curly-headed wayshower and his curious walking stick, when a fog settled unexpectedly or strong winds blew the leaves or dust into a frenzy. Mother and Father would always, without a doubt, inquire, “How did you ever find your way home?” And the answer would always seem to be “Ask Mister Blister!”

Or is that what the children were saying after all? When the original illuminated "Ask Mister Blister!" manuscript was found and translated properly, a revelation took place. What the Two Lost Girls and all the others 'round the world were saying right along was "Ask Blessed Master!"

1 comment:

Eva Marie Sutter said...

Fantastic! Creative, magical, transporting, and comforting!