Playground tales

A Children's Tale.

I took a deep breathe once the children gathered to hear another story. It's almost funny how much of a tradition it became.

All of this started a few weeks ago with another escape from home. I remember aimlessly walking down the streets watching people interact with each other and listening to the sounds of the suburban neighborhood. At some point I reached this playground here and since I didn't have anywhere else to go I went to sit on one of the benches. I enjoyed my time of peace watching the children play until one of them fell and started crying. I waited for a parent or adult to calm her down but none of them did so I approached her. She wasn't hurt just startled from the fall but she wouldn't stop crying.
I got a bit panicked so I did the first thing that came to my mind and started telling her a silly story about fairies and elves. A few other children ended up joining the story time as well. It was nice.

When I came back a week later during another escape and some of teh children asked me for a story again. So I told them. It was a fun distraction and the children loved it.
It somehow became a little tradition and some of the parents even started to give me tips for it. I've been coming back every Friday since then.

So here I am On another Friday, with another story. Im quickly taking my position on the bench and started looking for a parent I could use to play along for today. That's when I spot him.
I'm pretty sure he's new here and he brought his daughter along. He might not play along but oh well its worth a bit of a risk to try. Now let's see how he reacts.

"Youuuuuu!" I say as I start pointing at the new guys face a manic grin on my face "aren't you the king of the wolves? How dare you show your face here again after all this time! Shall I remind you of what happened? Why you were banned from this place?"
The guys face of confusion was hilarious but he didn't complain or protest so I continued:
"You were the one who broke the witches magical cup and released the sandcreatures that have been roaming these lands for months now. Now take a good look at him children as you might want to remember the face of - what's your name again boy?"

I watch as his confusion fades and a smile spreads across his lips. A slight sparkle joining his eyes.

" It's Gerard but... Who are you "

" You dare forget my name? I am Eden the sorcerer of this ground.
Now kids remember his face cause without him today's story wouldn't have begun..."

Now leaving the guy behind I proceed to tell my story to the children, Involving as many of them as I can. It is always fascinating to watch their faces change with every story line and every plot.
I told them about helio our hero neither men or women. And how they faced the evil frogmen and the pranking caterpillars, how he crossed the mountains of candy and fire and met a group of friends along the way. All of thus to receive a new, magical teacup to calm sandcreatures and prevent them from causing harm to the people.

Now I got to admit the whole sand idea might have come from the fact that I tripped into the sandbox earlier and ended up with a very uncomfortable situation in gliding sand everywhere I don't want it to be. But it worked after all.

In the end the children smiled and clapped and ran back to the playground to roam around and do whatever children do. Donna, one of the mothers came up to me to talk the new guy behind him.

Donna: "Another amazing story of yours Sam, thank you for doing this. I bet your parents love listening to them as well"

Sam: "Uh yes I'm sure hope they do"

The answer is more forced than it should be but I don't think she noticed. I've got to remember to practice my acting again tho.

Donna: "Me and the rest of the parents wanted to thank you again for doing this so this time we put a bit more money together."

This time she hands me an envelope.

Sam: "Oh Donna you know you guys don't have to do this! I'll feel guilty! I.... I don't think I can accept it. You shouldn't guve me money in the first place!"

But she doesn't listen. She never does I swear to god this woman is more stubborn than a cat wanting food. She doesn't give me a choice but to take it and I thank her with a smile and a hug. But she waves me off and goes back to her son Diego. This is when the new guy, Gerard steps up and talks to me...