Sir Devlin was a very special baby. He had been born without a belly button. Because of this, he was able to travel to other worlds and meet the creatures that lived in them. He had many friends in many different worlds, his best friend being a kind and brave dragon named Iorik.
On one bright summer day, Sir Devlin was sitting outside with his parents, enjoying the sunshine. A bug jumped onto the table that he was sitting by, and his mom pointed at it.
“Look, Sir Devlin,” she exclaimed, “That’s a grasshopper!” This caught his dad’s attention.
“That’s not a grasshopper,” he said, “It’s a cricket.”
“Hmph,” his mom sniffed, “That is a grasshopper disguised as a cricket. I bet he’s hiding from something.” With that statement, she stood up from her chair and walked out into the grass.
“Pssst…hey kid.” Sir Devlin looked at the bug in surprise.
“She’s gonna keep that to herself, right?” Sir Devlin looked puzzled.
“You mean she’s right?” he asked in amazement. The grasshopper/cricket sighed.
“She must have recognized me,” he said.
“How could my mommy know who you are?” Sir Devlin asked.
“Well, I used to be pretty famous,” the grasshopper said, “My name was Steve.” Sir Devlin squealed in delight.
“You’re Steve?” he cried. The grasshopper nodded sadly.
“My Uncle Jessie talks about you all the time!” Sir Devlin said. “You’re in her favorite joke!” The grasshopper looked around nervously.
“Not so loud, kid,” he said, “I’m sposed to be a nice normal cricket, remember?” Sir Devlin quickly clapped his hands over his mouth.
“Sorry,” he muttered through his fingers. The grasshopper rubbed his front legs together.
“That’s alright, just keep it down. I go by Chester now.”
“So what are you doing here, Chester?” Sir Devlin asked. Chester sighed wearily.
“It got to be too much, Kid,” he said, “I just got too famous. Everyone talking about me all the time, everyone wanting to meet Steve the grasshopper…I couldn’t get any privacy. I needed a break.” Sir Devlin nodded in understanding.
“I’m just your average cricket now,” Chester said sadly, “I can never be Steve again.” Sir Devlin patted his tiny back.
“It’s okay,” he said, “You don’t have to be Steve. Maybe Chester is who you were really meant to be. You can start over, and be anyone you want. Just imagine the possibilities awaiting you out there!” Chester sniffed.
“Maybe you’re right, kid,” he said, “No-one knows who I am anymore. I can go anywhere and do anything that I please. I have always wanted to visit Times Square.” Sir Devlin nodded.
“Go where the wind takes you, my friend,” he said. Chester smiled.
“I think I will,” he said. Just make sure your mom keeps what she knows to herself, huh?”
“No problem,” Sir Devlin said, “It was just a lucky guess on her part anyway.”
“Well, kid,” Chester said, “It was a pleasure meeting you, but I need to go. I have a trip to plan for.”
“Good luck,” Sir Devlin said, “Send me a postcard when you find what you’re looking for.” They shook hands, and Chester set off, intent on beginning his new life.
A few months later, Sir Devlin’s mommy was sorting through the day’s mail. She studied one piece with particular interest.
“Love,” she said to Sir Devlin, “You got some mail.” Sir Devlin took the postcard in his chubby hands. The return address was in New York. He read with interest.
“Iorik!” he exclaimed, “Chester’s famous again!”
The End |