Chapter 14
Robin stood up and stretched as the group in the alley broke out in song while they took a break for a moment. After being interrupted by Forgetful Jones he had been unable to get back to Telly’s story and had been regaled with the brief and similar stories of how each animal – the cows, horses, frogs, ducks, pigs, chickens, and others – had realized they were different from their families and had wandered their way to Sesame Street learning that they were very entertaining and were needed to help children learn.
After listening to the animals the food took their turn, each describing a variety of different people who were amused as the food talked to them when picked up. Robin even recognized many of the names – Jim, Richard, Jerry, Dave, Fran, Kevin, Carroll, Steve, Alan, Maria, Bob, Eric, Frank, Louise, Kathryn, Karen, Bill, Brian – the list seemed to continue forever. Instead of eating the food, each piece was taught to sing and brought to the street.
“Healthy food!
Boy, it taste so good.
Me one healthy dude
'Cause me eat healthy food.
Me love it boiled or stewed,
Me love it whole or chewed.
You'd feel just great if you'd
Eat some healthy food!”
Scooter was very glad he didn’t have to hide his smile as the food took center stage on the picnic table for their chorus while the others each danced to their own beat around them. Cookie Monster was just as energetic with Elmo and Telly by his side singing the final verses.
“There broiled spring chicken,
Grapes ripe for picking,
And swordfish, tuna and trout.
And apple and cherry,
And all kinds of berry,
And broccoli and Brussel sprout!
There lettuce, tomato,
Boiled new potato,
There spinach and celery and beet.
Milk and honey and cheese,
Peanuts, peppers, and peas,
Pears and peaches and cream of wheat!
Healthy food!
Boy, it taste so good.
Me one healthy dude
'Cause me eat healthy food.
Me love it boiled or stewed,
Me love it whole or chewed.
You'd feel just great if you'd
Eat some healthy food!”
Alan and the rest of the adults brought each person a plate from Hooper’s Store to be able to enjoy lunch and the tales of those still waiting to share how they had made it to Sesame Street.
“Now Telly,” Robin said before taking a bite of his peanut butter and gnat sandwich, “are you ready to tell me your story?”
“I will never forget it. I was so scared.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The red haired boy stood at the corner lamp post wringing his hands together, muttering to himself, and carefully looking first down the street towards Mr. Hooper’s Store and then back around the corner towards the subway. Slowly he leaned out trying to get glimpses further down the street.
“Excuse me,” Kermit said almost at a whisper so that he wouldn’t scare him more than he already was. “Can I help you find someone?”
Telly eyed the frog slowly, his feet inching closer to the edge of the sidewalk as he drew his arms in closer together.
“Please, don’t move closer to the road. I really don’t want you to get hurt.”
Still staring at Kermit, Telly rushed to the telephone pole, almost seeming to want to hide behind it.
“I know that you have been told not to talk to strangers,” Kermit said without moving closer to him “but your teacher introduced you all to me this morning. Remember?”
Kermit watched as Telly’s brow furrowed in concentration as he thought back to when his class had arrived for their field trip and nodded.
“Do you remember that your teacher said you could tell me if you needed any help?”
Nodding vigorously Telly whispered, “I’m scared.”
“Why are you scared?”
“I stopped here to look at this flower in the sidewalk and when I stood back up my class was gone. And I don’t know where they could be!”
Kermit put his arm around Telly as he began to cry and exclaim “And now I’ll never get home to my mommy and I won’t see my friends anymore and something bad might happen to me!”
“There now, I know it’s very scary to feel like that. Can you listen for a moment while I ask you a question?” The sobs slowed to only a sniffle as Telly looked carefully at Kermit and waited for him to continue. “Where was your class going to when you stopped to look at that flower?”
“Ms. Gina said something about it being time to eat lunch.”
“Well then, I think we should walk down to Mr. Hooper’s Store as your class was going to eat there today.”
Kermit smiled as they made it to Hooper’s and saw the look of relief on Telly’s face when he saw all of his friends around them. His smile grew ever wider as Telly told everyone who would listen about how scared he was and who had helped him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“So, as we were getting back on the bus, Kermit came to me and told me how proud he was of me for being brave enough to admit to my friends how scared and worried I was. He asked me if I wanted to help others learn that it was okay to be scared and worried.”
“So that’s when you told him yes?” Robin interrupted, amazed at how his uncle always seemed to know just the right thing to say.
“Yes, and I was even more excited when he told me I could be the monster I am today.”
“Why did you want to be a monster?”
“Because then I wouldn’t have to be scared of them anymore.”
“Elmo thinks that is a very good reason to be a monster.”
“How about you Elmo?” Robin flipped the page in the notebook, ready for a new story, “how did you make it to Sesame Street?”
It was hard to tell who was more surprised when Elmo’s cherry face fell into a frown and he began to sniffle. Robin’s eyes grew wide as he started to look around at the adults behind him, wondering what he could have said wrong to Elmo. Maria took charge, walking over and kneeling beside Elmo, carefully rubbing his back and whispering in his ear.
“Elmo,” Telly said starting to wring his hands together, “you’re story isn’t a bad one is it?”
“No,” Elmo gently lifted his finger to his eye and wiped away a lone tear, “no Elmo’s story isn’t bad.”
“Why does your story make you sad then?” Zoe asked as she edged closer to her friend.
“Because Elmo does not have a story.”
The sniffles continued as Robin’s brow furrowed together thinking about the situation.
“That’s okay Elmo,” Robin said as he pursued his idea, “just tell me the first thing you remember about Sesame Street.”
“But Elmo doesn’t remember anything but Sesame Street. It’s like Elmo’s always been here, and these have always been my friends.”
“Do you know what that means Elmo?” Robin leaned in and whispered.
“No.”
“It means that you’ve always been a Muppet, just like me and Kermit!”
Elmo’s eyes grew wider as he felt special being compared to Kermit and Robin, “And that’s okay?” he asked just to be sure.
[FONT="]“It sure is,” Robin replied and flipped to another new page glad that there wasn't anything wrong with Elmo. “Now, who’s next?"[/FONT]