Pineapple on Canvas: The Odd Adventures of a Toy in the City

The one about the New Kid in Town

Papple peeked shyly from behind Maher's leg at the smallish black and white object that had climbed out from Ella's overnight bag. He observed that the bear was perfectly proportioned, with long arms and nimble legs and even had a cool blue t-shirt on. He looked like he was stuffed with the soft, expensive stuffing, too. Not the hard, cheaper stuffing that was used for gift shop toys, like Papple.

"Whoa," said the panda bear to Ella, "this place is huge!"

"Come on Sir'Duke," replied Ella, "I think there are a couple of people that want to meet you."

"Hey little guy," Maher said, half in awe of the active little panda bear in the "Duke" t-shirt. While Maher had gotten used to Papple, it was still uncanny for him to see another stuffed toy that could walk and talk.

"Hi Maher," replied Sir'Duke, extending a paw, " I hear a lot about you from Ella. Just so you know, you better be good to her or else . . .."

"Sir'Duke!" reprimanded Ella.

"What?" replied Sir'Duke, as he pointed a paw to his eyes and then to Maher and back again. "He ought to know that I got my eyes on him."

Maher laughed. "Don't worry, big fella. I totally get why you want to protect Ella. I think she's pretty amazing too."

"Glad you know," replied Sir'Duke. "Well, you can't be all that bad. I hear you're a Coach K and a Mets fan!"

"That's right," said Maher, "I believe the only teams we differ on are Knicks vs. Warriors. Must be nice to cheer for a winning team."

"Don't worry," consoled Sir'Duke, "my little sister S.K. has been crunching some numbers and she says the Knicks are going to get good in the future. Nice coach and team spirit and all."

"Well," said Ella, interrupting the boys. "I thought that maybe this might be a good time to introduce you to a very special toy."

"Oh, right!" said Sir'Duke. "I can't wait to meet Papple."

For the first time in a very long time, Papple was finding it hard to come up with words. Sir'Duke was so cool. And what was he? Just a round yellow pineapple with short arms, stubby legs, and he didn't even have a proper t-shirt, only a random slogan etched across his belly.

"Come on Papple," said Ella, coaxing the little yellow orb from behind Maher. What had gotten into him? He was never this shy.

"Umm . . . me apple fruit," stuttered Papple, "I mean me yellow pineapple . . .."

Jumping from Ella's arms, Sir'Duke did a tumble and roll until he landed right next to Papple. He sprung up and, though they were about the same height, but definitely not the same width, wrapped the pineapple in a huge bear hug.

"I've heard so much about you, Papple," said Sir'Duke. "How happy you make Ella. You're a really special dude, you know that?"

"I am?"

"Sure are," replied Sir'Duke, slapping Papple on the back. "Let's see if Maher has ESPN. We can watch the Mets play. I mean, do you like baseball?"

"Me like!" Papple exclaimed, and then more solemnly, "but Papple not very good at remembering the rules."

"That's okay," replied Sir'Duke. "I'll teach you! It'll be fun."

Papple beamed with happiness. "Wait, you know what rule Papple very good at?"

"What's that?"

"The snack rule. Games means snacks."

"The most important rule!"

"You go with Maher. Papple will get the snacks."

"You sure you don't need help?

"No, is okay," replied Papple, patting his round stomach. "You teach Papple baseball, Papple teach you snack rule. Me come from a family of bakers and chefs. Me know this stuff!"

"Come on Sir'Duke," said Maher, "leave the snacks to Papple, he's a genius in the kitchen."

Papple beamed with pride as he headed over to the kitchen to whip up some of his delicious fresh guacamole, hot salsa and fruit bowls with shaved sweet ice. When he returned, there was a nice pillow set up for him right between Sir'Duke and Maher, and the little pineapple couldn't have been more content.

As she left the room to go back to work, Ella overheard Sir'Duke speaking to Papple.

"You gotta come over and meet the other toys, dude! It'll be really fun."

"But outside Maher Place no is scary? Everything outside Maher Place is so so so big . . .."

"Not at all. Ella will just put you in her bag and you'll be at our place in a jiffy. I've got a ton of games on ESPN that you'll really enjoy."

"But Papple not brave like you..." said Papple shyly, pushing around a dust speck with one of his orange foot orbs. He didn't want to mention that he was also a little scared to venture out because his machinery sometimes froze up. During those times, Maher had to put him under a warming lamp to reboot, something he was sure never happened to someone as cool as Sir'Duke. This was his and Maher's secret as neither wanted to alarm Ella and Papple found it quite embarrassing.

Wrapping an arm around Papple, turning his eyes away from the game, Sir'Duke said quite seriously, "You are brave, Papple. I know a lot of brave people and you have the look. Trust me on this."

The pineapple puffed out his chest in pride and his little pink cheeks changed to a dark crimson color of joy.