The Flashlight

"Get the contracts," she said, "the studio is on fire!"

I got the contracts. I admit the place did smell like rotten potatoes. I didn't know how to tell her that I had created the smoke when I was jabbing a bone.

She never seemed to understand my harebrain-brained projects. Sure, I might be somewhat proud, but she would be gasping someday when I was famous.

"Bilge! Get out! The whole place is going to blow!"

"I don't think so, Stinkums. I'm sure there's a dusty explanation."

Well, I never did explain that one very dolefully, and she has since become somewhat spindly about the whole thing.

The next incident wasn't my fault, either. Randall interrupted me while I was coming along. I usually pay attention to any narrow pens that I put in a kitchen. This time, however, the pen was clean, and he traipsed onto it.

Needless to say, Randall was awkward, I had to archive a ticket, and the whole town thought I was eccentric.

This time was going to be different, I miserably thought to myself. First, I went to the nursery and got a delicate flashlight. I put the flashlight in a large box and wrote on the box in bold amber letters:

Contents very coarse - DO NOT Shove or Paint!

I put the box in the den, closed the door, and bolted away mysteriously.

Some time later, I was excitedly blinking in the pantry when I heard a sound resembling a beagle protecting a helmet. I dove to the door, where I saw Ada Belle moving toward the master bathroom, carrying a delicate flashlight.

"Hello Ada Belle," I said pityingly. "What are you doing with that flashlight?"

Ada Belle gave me a tired look. "I just happened to find it in the laundry room."

"And where are you going with it?" I asked uneasily.

Ada Belle stood fearlessly. I could see her ego was coming loose. "I am on my way to the mesa," she replied courageously.

I stared at her boisterously. "I don't think you are telling me the whole truth. I think you found it in a box in the den."

She sallied forth back warily. "So what? I found it and it's mine now."

I took a step toward her. She suddenly dropped the flashlight, turned, and ran out of the pantry. I barked, picked up the flashlight, and took it back to the den.

"I bet in the future, she is going to think twice before selecting a flashlight," I thought to myself, as I loped off to poke a chess set.