Challenge No.61 - Invent a Word.
Some of the words we use today were coined by famous authors. Which word will you introduce into the lexicon?
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Author's note:
Pronounced Tara-laka-chaka
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Sometimes, not often mind you, just sometimes, little sisters rise above obnoxious into decent folks, but then they slide back. It was Saturday and Peanut had done all her homework. She was chatting with her friends when her dad entered her room.
"You've spent enough time on that device. Go climb a mango tree."
"Awwww, daddy!" Peanut wailed.
"Daddy," Sam said.
"And take Sam with you."
"Awwww, daddy!" Peanut objected.
"You heard me!"
"Bye-bye." Sam waved to daddy.
"Bye-bye, pumpkin." He said as he left.
And just like that Peanut's plans for her day were turned on their head.
Two-year-old Samantha, "Sam" grinned at eight-year-old Sabine, "Peanut".
"Come on." Peanut resigned herself to her fate. She knew what Sam would do. They'd had to pay 'I Spy' though the toddler was too young to appreciate the title.
They stepped into the yard and Dax trotted up.
"Dog!" Sam pointed. "Dax."
"Dax," Peanut confirmed
"Baby!" Sam pointed to herself.
"Peanut!" At her sister and so it went.
"Nose."
"Eye."
"No." When Dax licked her face.
"Shoe."
"Ball."
Peanut wasn't really paying attention. But then Sam stopped rattling words. So, Peanut looked up.
"Sam?"
Sam pointed. She didn't have a word for this one. Peanut followed Sam's gaze. She stood in surprise. For once Dax was silent in the face of the green blob with a face, two hands but no legs or feet.
"Peanut." Sam sounded scared.
"Can you see it?" Dumb question, she thought even as she asked.
"Yes." Sam was now curious.
"That's a Xatuubug."
"Zah zoo bug." Sam tried out the new wonderful word.
"No. Zah too bug." Peanut repeated slowly.
"Zah too bug." Sam imitated even slower.
"Yeah! Xatuubug!" Peanut said happily.
"Xatuubug!" Sam echoed.
"Who are you?" Peanut asked.
"You just said. I'm a Xatuubug."
"I mean what is your name? Ed? Atta? Which one are you?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I am Taralakachaka"
Sam tried to say it but couldn't. Peanut just called it Tara.
"Why are you here? How come Sam can see you when others can't?"
"Sam's little. One day both of you will no longer see me or the others."
"Oh." Peanut was sad.
"I was sent to find you."
"Really? Why?"
"We have heard about the COVID-19 and we were worried. I was sent to check on you. You are our friend. Friends take care of friends." Tara explained.
"Oh? Did the COVID-19 hurt you?"
"Not at all! But thank you for asking."
"Hello, Xatuubug!" Sam tried out her new word.
The green Xatuubug smiled. "Hello, Sam."
"I must return and tell the others that you are safe."
"Yes. Goodbye, Taralakachaka." Peanut said.
"Goodbye, Xatuubug." Sam waved.
"Goodbye." Tara waved and floated away.
"All gone!" Sam was disappointed.
"Yep. All gone." Peanut replied.
"Juice!" Sam ordered.
"Yes. Juice." Peanut held out her hand and Sam took it.
Together they returned to the house in search of a cookie and some juice.
© 30 April 2022
US Copyright Registration No. TXu 2-133-118
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