While waiting for the express train one day, a pair of AA batteries rolled right up to me. Not long after, a petite girl of about seven came looking for them.
Once her eyes found what she was seeking, she exclaimed, “There you are!” I smiled in appreciation of the young spirit.
With utmost care, she scoops them up. “I told you not to run away. You are bad porcupines!” My brow wrinkles in perplexity.
“Oh. Hi. I was just scolding my two little glass porcupines. I tie batteries to them so I can find them.” She paused, studying my face. Suddenly, she stuck out her hand.
“My name is Umblefumble. Pleased to meet you sir!” When I didn’t automatically return her handshake, she pulled a Spanish phrase book from her back pocket. Just as she was about to repeat herself, I stuck out my hand.
“That’s more like. Well, I must get back to my mommy. She’s waiting for me.” With that, she peeled a post-it note from her book, stuck it on the spot she had been standing, and walked away.