Grandma's Box

They had no idea that she had sneaked the key. She said she hadda go bathroom during dinner and she snucked into momma-daddy’s room and took the key to the outta Momma’s jewelry box.

Now that they was asleep, she snucked into the living-room with that key clenched in her fist. She was finally gonna getta see what’s in ‘Amma’s special box. Momma always said she would get to know when she was older, but she turned five last week and Momma said she still wasn’t allowed!

She pouted angrily as she pulled the footstool over and carefully turned the lock, then awkwardly lifted the heavy box into her chubby arms and, wobbling, stepped down to place it on the living room table.

It was pale blue inlaid with gold and enamel and it shone like a pirate’s treasure when the sun hit it. She had admired it as long as she could remember. It had always been the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and was finally, finally gonna see what was inside! Oh, she was so excited that she actually squealed! She cowed, covering her mouth and pausing, hoping she didn’t wake anyone up.

She turned to the box and lifted the lid, expectantly, would it be pearls, or jewels, or magic crystals? Nope, it was ... just… dirt.

Years of expectations quickly turned to fury and, as happens in the very young, she acted without a thought. Her little hands began to fling the dirt all over the living room. Handful after gritty handful, her disappointment expressed in every dark streak that appeared on the pristine furniture and floor.

She stopped though when she hit something hard. What’s this? Maybe there was treasure! Maybe it was buried treasure! She pulled her treasure free and brushed it off. Laying three quarters across her small palm was...a tooth. She touched the one like it in her own mouth. Right in the front corner, and in doing so leaving a dark streak along her lips and teeth. Well, it’s not treasure, but it was pretty cool. She stuffed her consolation prize into the pocket of her pyjamas.

Then she looked around realizing what she had done. Hmm. Her eyes fell upon the furry bundle that had followed her downstairs. It was currently hiding in a corner, timid but curious; watching her with bright eyes to see what the strange human would do next.

She managed to wrangle the poor beast until she had covered all its paws in the dirt, covering herself in it in the process, but also successfully leaving pawprints all over the living room. There. They never got the fluffball into too much trouble for knocking things over, so he’d be fine.

She then tipped the box over on the carpet, on its side to make it look like it had fallen over from the shelf. Oh, how smart she was! She pirouetted in delight! Finally, she carefully brushed herself off, then, snucked a couple of cookies, because, why not, and munched them on the way to bed.

She fell asleep feeling quite proud of her little midnight adventure and didn’t wake up until she heard Momma’s screams the next morning.