Have Rock, Will Travel

I thought being a rock would be pretty boring.

You'd think I'd have the pattern down by now. I've been a rock for a good long time. Sure, it was fun and exciting in the beginning, all the fire and meeting all these nice other minerals and that party and the fireworks and moving to a new neighborhood, but that cooling time was really, really slow.

But when I was solid, that was kinda fun. Learning about crystallization! Getting all sparkly! Though I wouldn't find out about the sparkles till later, when I learned about erosion. I had a great view of my mountain, and all the trees and animals, for a good long time. Then, suddenly, more erosion. Whee! Rolling down our mountain, into the river far below, splash!

So, first there was fire, then earth, then air whooshing by, and then water. Water was a new thing. All cool, and smooth, and some movement, then fast movement downstream in the tumble of cold and ice. Crystals are sharp, and water smooths those out, gently sanding or suddenly filling a crack and snap!

But these things happen slowly, and over lots and lots of time.

So when those two people saw me on the bank where I was sunning myself, enjoying the pale sunshine, and plucked me up, that was faster than I was used to! And she brushed the dirt off me, then took me to one of those buildings that humans come in and out of. So different! Like a hollow artificial mountain, but sparkling inside from strange lights, so different from the sun. I was dried off, and then...

What ever stick thing this person is touching me with, it tickles! And it leaves behind a strange stickiness. Like mud, only it clings tighter when dried. It makes a shape. It does not rinse off, like mud would.

And I am suddenly swooped up and am being carried outside again. I like being carried. This is faster than I've ever gone! Hi birds! Hi trees! Look at me, it's almost like I'm flying-

Wait, what's this new method of transport? It goes faster even than being carried by a human!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Oh, that was fun!!

Where to next?

I am carried carefully to this strange garden. Oh, there are other rocks there! Different ones! And we're all painted! That's the word! And I'm deposited amidst the other rocks, and another is picked up in exchange. The human wanders off. The rocks say hello.

Now what?

People go by. So busy! So many! And there are smaller people! They stop and stare at this garden, and many pick up a rock. I hear the excitement from the ones chosen, and off they go with the tiny ones to have an adventure.

And then it's my turn!

They are called children, I know now. A child picks me up, excited about my shininess. "Oh, a snowman!" they squeal. And off we go!

I learn, and the child learns, about this thing called "Yuletide faire."

We go to the mansion, and there is music! The noises these people make, it means things! And somehow they can accompany each other and make this beautiful noise. It is so pretty! It is shiny, but in a different way than I am shiny.

We visit the mistress of this place, a Daisy Grubb, and she tells us about the mansion, and parlor games, and this time of season.

We swing on a thing called a "Hippogriff," just for fun. Wheee!

We go and visit this creature called a Krampus. Oh, he is so grumpy! He does not like children, especially mine. Why not, Krampus? Sure, the child is noisy, but aren't they supposed to be that way? And you have legs, do you not? And arms? Things I do not have? But you can clap hands to ears and run away. Ah, there you go, run along now.

Oh, some of these people are putting on performances, I think I understand now. They do shows to entertain the other people. So those things are costumes, and these things are warm winter clothing? Because cold is bad? I have been frozen in ice and ground and deep in the earth, so I think this isn't so bad. I think these people are decidedly strange. But fast and exciting. What next?

They tell stories. Well known ones, since the people seem to know them. About an Ebenezer and a Tiny Tim, but also some are being representatives of nature's forces. Hunh, interesting idea of what Jack Frost looks like. And the Winter Queen. What is a sugar plum, and why do they need a fairy?

Oh, hah, reindeer games! My child loves these! They are doing quite well in the suggestions. They play well with others.

Truly, I thought people were just colorful creatures. But galloping about this place called a shire is rather amusing!

Wait, why can't we go visit that place? Those poems I hear being recited are funny! Can you... can you do that?? Can humans really do that?? Why does the bigger human have their hands over my child's ears, and why are we going? Oh, that sounds so naughty! Sir Arthur Greenleaf Holmes, you are a funny creature! Wait, I want to hear the ending to that story….!

Kamikaze Fireflies? Such a strange name! But they do such dangerous balancing acts, and whirling around, and... having robots fight each other? Whirling around with fire?? Where did you place that balloon? Is that a blowgun? Is this safe for children??

Ah, this is better, more music! I like this! Such an odd name - Lamning? But again, what melodies! Two voices blending, and the instruments they use! What, is that third one beating on a strip of wood? I would have never thought that sound would mix well with it all! My child likes the music, and is bouncing along in time to the songs. Many of the people are – oh, look, that’s the human who painted me! Hi, human, look at the adventure I’m having!

And there is a thing called a Finale, where the characters resolve their differences because of the season. Well, I like that part, but what differences? I'm confused. They are all humans, correct? They should get along. They have legs, don't they? Except for Krampus. He’s still grumpy.

Go home? Get food on the way? What do those things mean?

I have a new home? With the child? Oh, this sounds fun! I need to learn all these new words I'm hearing, and what they mean. They even talk quickly.

Wheee! I get to travel fast again, in one of things they all ride! WHEEEEE!

Do rocks get tired? I should not, but I feel, I think, what the humans call "sleepy."

And after food, and travel in the whee thing, we are in another artificial hollow mountain, and I am aside of a flat but soft thing, where the child is supposed to sleep. But instead, they whisper to me of the fun things they did today, and want to have more adventures with me!

The larger human comes in to gently insist on sleep, and turns out the bright things called lights. It is dark, and my child snuggles into the warm covers to sleep. I do not know what this period of inactivity is for, but I think it's a good idea. Child humans are quite excitable.

Can rocks yawn? I think I just did. Oh dear. Well, then I should try this sleeping thing, see what it's about... zzzzzzzzz...