Monster in Yellow
“Have you seen the old Johnston’s home?” asked Jessica, walking down the street on a warm summer day.
“The one that was just painted that bright yellow?” asked Maggie, also out for a walk.
“Yes,” said Jessica. “I thought that place was an eye sore before, with all the overgrown hedges and weeds, but that bright yellow paint, that is so much worse.”
“I noticed that they did cut the lawn, trim the hedges and weeded the place,” said Maggie. “I do agree about the colour they painted the house though. It is horrible.”
“I think I preferred the overgrown hedges, the tall grass and the weeds,” said Jessica.
“I do too,” said Maggie. “Do you have any idea who it was that bought the place?”
“No,” said Jessica. “I don’t.”
Jessica and Maggie were at the intersection, waiting for the light to turn green so they could walk across the street. They saw the brightest yellow sport car sitting at the red light.
“Nice car,” said Jessica. “But why ruin it with that colour?”
“The colour of that car is the same colour as the old Johnston’s home,” said Maggie. “That sure is one ugly colour.”
Jessica and Maggie watched the car turn left, go up the street a little ways and then turn into the old Johnston’s driveway.
“That must be the new owner,” said Maggie.
“It must be,” said Jessica. “Let’s go say hello and welcome our new neighbour.”
“Only if we can tell him to change the colour of his house and his car,” laughed Maggie.
Jessica and Maggie walked up the long driveway and they knocked on the door. They were shocked at what they saw when the new owner answered the door.
“Hello!” exclaimed a short little man with a very disfigured face. “My name is Simon.”
“It is nice to meet you,” said Jessica, clearly frightened.
“Don’t be scared,” said Simon. “I will not harm you.”
“So what is with this colour yellow you have painted the house with?” asked Maggie, finally finding her voice. “It is hideous.”
Maggie knew immediately that she shouldn’t have said anything. However, it was too late. She couldn’t take the words back. The damage was done.
Jessica and Maggie watched in horror as Simon’s expression on his face changed from a sweet man to an absolute monster. They were frozen to their spot in fear.
“Yellow makes me happy!” screamed Simon at the top of his lungs. “What is wrong with me being happy! I have had a miserable life, having my face disfigured from a house fire as a small child. The only time I have ever found happiness is when I found this colour yellow and now, you want to take that away from me. Shame on you!”
Jessica and Maggie just stood there in fear as they watched a monster inside Simon come out in full force.
“Oh dear,” said Maggie, finally calming down from being so frightened. “What have I done? I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. How can I ever make it up to you?”
“You can’t!” exclaimed Simon, still enraged.
“Come on Maggie,” said Jessica, fear turning into concern for her friend. “I think it is best that we leave.”
Jessica and Maggie both left and they heard Simon slam his front door.
“What can I do to make it up to him?” Maggie asked Jessica. “I never meant to hurt him.”
“He obviously likes yellow,” said Jessica. “Why don’t we bake him a yellow cake and put yellow frosting on it.”
“That is a great idea,” said Maggie.
Jessica and Maggie baked a yellow cake for Simon and they brought it to him the next day.
Simon sheepishly answered the door. Jessica and Maggie could both see that he had been crying.
“A peace offering,” said Maggie, handing the cake to Simon.
Simon smiled when he saw the bright yellow cake.
“Accepted,” said Simon. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“I want to apologize for yesterday,” said Maggie. “That was very mean of me.”
“I accept your apology,” said Simon. “Come in and share this beautiful cake with me.”
Jessica and Maggie went inside and had a slice of yellow cake with Simon. They became the best of friends after that and Jessica and Maggie grew to love the colour yellow.
Moral of this Story:
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