Like most parents already know, these sack of beans are the hot, new collectable item among kids (and even some s.) Gus has to be the homeliest one of all, but he is treated like royalty.

We first saw the zebra at a mall store while Christmas shopping. I have become quite accustomed to the begging and pleading sounds of "Can I have this - Can I have that?" Lauren and her younger brother have become accustomed to the answer, "No, you can't have everything!" However, they are not deprived by any means, eventhough they often make it sound as if they are. Little did I know that at this time the answer would come as crushing blow to Lauren. I could see it in her face. She left the store dragging her feet, and with her head hung low. The pathetic little zebra must have looked as if he needed a home, and nobody else would take him.

So, with Christmas fast approaching, I thought of my stocking stuffers and slipped back into the store to rescue the zebra while my husband took the kids through the mall as a distraction.

I was sure thankful that I had made that decision, because on Christmas Eve her letter to Santa emphasized the desire for that bean bag zebra (she also requested an electric keyboard and Nintendo, which she was not getting.) The letter read...

"Dear Santa,
I would really like to have a bean bag zebra from the mall! I hope I don't sound greedy but I would like a keyboard, and I would really like Nintendo! And if your have time, write back.
P.S. - I really want that bean bag zebra!"

Well, one out of three ain't bad - is it?

The bean bag zebra saved the day! On Christmas morning her face lit up when she pulled him from the stocking. I truly believe that he brought her the most happiness of all the gifts she received that year. I never once heard her complain or look the least bit unhappy about the keyboard and Nintendo that did not arrive Christmas morning.

The zebra became known as Gus, and since that day over 2 years ago he has rarely left the palm of her hand. He has become well rounded culturally and socially. He attends school daily, and church weekly. He has visited friends, museums, libraries, restaurants, movies, piano lessons, symphonies and even a ballet.

When I look through the eyes of a grown-up, I do not understand the attraction; there are many, if not most, stuffed animals that are more beautiful and cuddly. However, if I try hard to remember what my younger eyes could see, there is a tiny personality in the heart of that "dish rag"...I, I mean zebra. I'm not losing my marbles - I can separate reality from fantasy...really I can!

Gus now has quite a comfortable life. He has a gamut of tiny hats, scarves, and sequin capes, all hand-made by Lauren. He sleeps on her night stand on a tiny hand-made bed cushioned with gold tinsel. He has settled-in here as part of the family. He even has his own spot at the dinner table.

All was well until the day we decided Gus needed a bath. Into the washing machine he went for a delicate washing, and then into the dryer for a bit of fluffing. Out he came with a brand new, and not very well accepted hairstyle. He started with a long, silky mane, but came out of the dryer with an afro. What took place after that, only a mother would do (maybe a mother who really is losing her marbles.

The simple solution, of course, was to buy another $6.00 bean bag zebra and secretly make a swap. Don't ever try this, it doesn't work. I never lied to her by telling her I had fixed Gus, but I didn't exactly tell the complete truth either. Letting her think what she wanted, I just handed the thing to her and said, "There, doesn't he look better?" She took one look at the new zebra I had selected and said emphatically, "What did you do to him? His head is too small!" Oh great, now what do I do? She immediately began smashing, pulling, and stretching his nose and head with her fingers, as if sculpting a lump of clay, in an attempt to return him to his original form. I stood there trying to choke back my laughter. I could not believe my plan failed. I had dug myself into the proverbial pit. My only choice was to take him back while making some lame, reassuring comment like, "Mom will take care of it." She looked like a doubting Thomas.

Solving this little dilemma still seemed rather simple. Just return to the store and try to explain to the clerk why I needed to exchange this zebra for one with a bigger nose, without making myself look utterly rediculous (impossible you say!) Thankfully, the clerk also had a daughter about Lauren's age and was very understanding of the bean bag craze. So, I rummaged through a basket of animals, comparing big noses and little noses until I thought I had found the perfect one. I made the exchange and was anxious to see the happy response I would get at home.

I handed him over once again, with a smile on my face, and waited to hear the sighs of relief. What I heard was not at all what I expected. Lauren had not caught on to what I was doing; I'm not sure what she had invisioned me doing to Gus. Now, according to her, his head was too big, he did not have the appropriate amount of stuffing in his back, his head wobbled more than usual, and his eyes were "sucked-back into his head!" I couldn't choke back the laughter this time. She had examined and memorized every detail of the old Gus. There was no way to fool her. She looked at me with a bit of confusion as I laughed hysterically. This was not funny! Lauren is not the type to let anyone see her cry, but I could see her eyes becoming misty as she tried to decide whether she even wanted this strange looking zebra anymore. There was something just not right - his "personality" was gone. I stopped laughing, and took the matter more seriously. I took him from her hand and quietly said, "I'll try to take care of him." How I didn't know, but then I disappeared from everyone for about and hour.

First I tried combing out the hair on the old Gus using conditioner, but it was a hopeless cause. Then, locking myself in the sewing room, a terrible thing happened. I don't know what came over me. I scalped them! Both the old and the new zebras were without hair, and stuffing was oozing from the top of their heads. I really should have been cleaning the house, or helping with homework, or getting ready to go to my job, but instead I gingerly began sewing the long, silky mane on the old Gus, trying to make it as undetectable as possible. Lauren was anxiously waiting to find out what I was up to now; like a father pacing outside the delivery room waiting for the birth of his child.

The moment she saw the finished results, her face lit up like it had on Christmas morning. She knew it was him, and said "He's perfect!!" We hugged, and all was well once again.

Lauren never saw the remains of the bean bag zebra left behind. One day when Gus is in a shoe box in the attic and forgotten, I will tell her about what he went through, and the terrible scalping her own mother gave him; but for now - "He's perfect!"

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws