A little boy, no more than six or seven years old, bounded eagerly into the
mid-sized living room. He dodged around a folding card table which had a
couple empty beer bottles, and plopped onto the bouncy dark blue couch.
He bit his bottom lip deeply as he thrust his little hand in the cracks
between the couch cushions, and danced it around. With a quiet cry of
triumph, he snagged a rectangular black remote control and happily pulled it
out.
He suddenly heard a sharp scream emanate from the room above him. He heard
it followed by a barrage of obscenities bellowed from a deeper voice.
Narrowing his eyes, he pressed ON and the television clicked to life.
On popped a tired golf game. The boy made a face and quickly changed it.
Hair color commercial. Click. ".. low in cholesterol!" Click. "Now for only
$9.99, you can�" Click. "Guest starring�" Click. "So. I told my husband if
he brought home one more of th---" Click.
He stared angrily at the television and chirped in an unhappy, childish
tone, "Why is there nothing on TV?!" Of course, being alone in the room gave
no answer and he continued to channel surf.
".. it�s a wonderful day in the neighborhood." A smiling old man with
pepper-hair appeared on screen, wearing a yellow-knit sweater and sat poised
happily in an oak chair.
The boy�s eyes widened and leaned forward. His eyebrows knitted up in a
flustered expression.
"How are you all doing today? Isn�t it a lovely day out?"
Expecting a miracle to be happening, the little boy glanced out the window,
anticipating to see a bright sun out instead of the murky clouds that
threatened his day. But there was no change; in fact, there was a drizzle
dripping sadly from the sky.
Snorting in disgust, he faced the television again.
"It�s so nice out. The sun is shining, the birds are singing. It�s a
wonderful happy place to be!"
Now entranced by the man�s soft voice and sweet appearance, the young child
was fixated on the dull display.
After a few minutes had passed, his eyes were wider than before and was
huddled in a corner of the couch, sucking on a corner of the remote control.
"Look here, kiddies. It�s Scruffy, the neighborhood dog. Isn�t he handsome?"
The boy nodded slowly, obediently.
"Why don�t we---"
"Jonathan!"
The child glanced upward then back at the TV.
"�and see what�"
"Jonathan!"
Sighing, Jonathan climbed out of the couch and slowly backed away, eyes
still on the TV. He huddled on the floor, not wanting to leave.
"JONATHAN! GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!"
Whining softly to himself, Jonathan raised the remote at the TV and placed
his thumb on the power button.
"Jonathan!!"
He tilted his head, thoughtfully. Carefully, he laid the control back on the
couch and ran out of the room.
"..a beautiful day in the neighborhood.. it�s beautiful.."
Mr Rogers