In the brightly colored basket, it patiently waits with anticipation and fear. It knows what is coming—knows its destiny. Pitter-patter. With its large ears it hears little feet gallop excitedly down stairs. It waits.

Its tiny blue eye stares beyond it’s plastic wrapper, still waiting, as the feet draw nearer. It sees the beast. The shiny confetti that once protected it is now flung across the room. Its hollow chest apprehensively beats, waiting. It wants to hop away. A cardboard prison restrains it. Destiny is near. Out of the corner of its gumdrop eye, it sees a face, armed with a mouthful of metal. Panic!

Riiiip! Its big, brown ears hear the tearing of cardboard. Warm hands grab it. A wet nose sniffs it. Metallic mouth… CHOMP !

Destiny.