"Horrible, horrible...but I like you anyway!"
I'm on a quest, and I just know someone out there will know what I'm talking about.
In the summer of 1987, I was a counselor at a performing arts camp in Missoula, Montana. One of the campers brought with her a tape recording of her favorite storyteller. I don't remember his name, but one of the stories has stuck with me all this time and in fact has worked its way into our family lexicon. The tale was about two children who found themselves in a strange land governed by the King of the Raisins. ("He was married to a wafer.") The raisins are amiable enough despite their aversion to the strange wiggling things at the end of the children's arms—
"What you got there, worms?"
"No, they're fingers! See?"
(Sound of raisins screaming.) "Ahhhh! Horrible, horrible! But I like you anyway."
I find myself quoting the horrified raisins now and then, usually while changing a particularly toxic diaper. I've told as much of the story as I can remember to my kids, but I long to hear the whole thing again and find out if it's really as hilarious as I remember it.
Does it ring a bell for any of you? No? Oh, that's horrible, horrible. But I like you anyway.
Dear, dear Lissa,
I am so grateful for your sweet spot here...I am visiting to cheer myself on as I re-lay-out six whole designs that my computer has
ruined! I think I may know this one as I heard this story once. Could it be Jay O'Callahan? We have another of his stories "Raspberries" and have SO enjoyed everything of his we have come across. I can imagine him saying what you wrote. I will ask my sons when they come home this evening to make sure!
Two more lay-outs to go. How nice I can catch up here a bit more.
Posted by: Lesley Austin | May 16, 2005 at 08:52 PM