It was green and yellow and it was shiny and perfect. Veddy didn’t really know what it was, but it was very pretty. It was like a little guitar, sized just for him, and he really wanted it. There were lots of big plushies he wanted too, but guitars were cooler than plushies. He thought of himself with the guitar—he’d be really good at it—singing songs to people. He’d learn how to play the guitar, and he’d make friends, and people would think he was cool—‘cause he was the kid with the guitar!He just had to win it from the person who ran the ball tossing game. Veddy didn’t really know how to play this game, but he was really excited to try. He was sure that he’d do well at this game and win the guitar. He could still see himself with it—he’d win the game, and then he’d tell them, I want that one, and point to the green and yellow one that even had purple stripes now that he looked at it. He wanted it, and it was just a few ball tosses away.
He climbed onto the stepstool next to the table and waited for the grown-up to hand him the balls. It took forever—he was always handing balls to the big kids, but he was ignoring Veddy! Finally, Veddy called out to him and got his attention. He was a Geist, and he was a little scary looking, only not really, because there were lots of Geists at school, and he gave Veddy a smile, which made him a lot less scary. He handed Veddy the balls, then stepped back.
The first ball Veddy threw went far off the mark. But that was okay, he’d make the next one—only he didn’t. And he didn’t make the third one, either! Veddy felt miserable—he’d never get the guitar! He’d never be cool, he’d never make friends…
He put his head against the table and started to cry. The Geist didn’t seem to know what to do, they just kept reassuring Veddy and telling him that it was hard and that lots of people weren’t good at it, but they weren’t Veddy…
A reassuring hand settled on Veddy’s shoulder and he looked up to see his caretaker in a halo of tears. “What’s wrong?” Mark asked.
“I want to get that guitar,” Veddy croaked. “But I’m no good at this game, I stink!”
Mark looked over at the slots, then looked back at Veddy. “Would you like some help, Veddy?”
Veddy nodded gratefully. “Yes, please!”
Mark caught the Geist’s attention and pointed to Veddy. “He and I are going to be working together—is that okay?”
The Geist nodded. “Of course it is.” The Geist put the balls down, then walked to the other side of the box.
Mark settled down behind Veddy and together they picked up a ball. “The trick to this,” Mark murmured, “is to get the ball into the center ring. You’ll need to get all of the balls in, but that’s okay—I’m going to help you.”
Mark had a nice voice, and he was very nice. He always helped you and gave you a hug when you were upset. He was the best caretaker ever. Mark showed him how to line up his shot and how to aim, and while it took forever for them to throw each ball, Veddy—with Mark’s help—sank every last shot.
With tears, this time happy tears, in his eyes, Veddy instructed the Geist to hand him the gold and green guitar with the purple stripes. “Thank you!” Veddy gushed to both grown-ups. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Mark laughed quietly. “Slow down there, Veddy,” he said. “Do you know how to play the ukulele?”
A what? “I thought this was a guitar?” Veddy said.
“It’s similar to a guitar,” Mark said. “But it’s a little different. It’s called a ukulele.”
So his beloved was a fake? Veddy felt like crying all over again!
Mark seemed to notice that and gave him a hug. “No, no, Veddy! A ukulele’s a beautiful instrument—it’s smaller than a guitar, but it’s just as good! It plays the same tunes, and it’s way cooler, because you can carry it more places.” He smiled at Veddy. “You could carry this one anywhere you like, Veddy.”
Veddy…liked the sound of that. He clutched his re-annointed beloved and looked Mark in the eye. “I don’t know how to play a ukulele,” he said. “Or a guitar.”
Mark made a quiet laugh again. “That’s okay, Veddy,” he said. “I’ll teach you.”
Veddy grinned. “Thank you, Mark!” he said. “When I become a song maker someday, I’m gonna write a cool song about you!”
Mark smiled. “You’ll be a songwriter, then?” he said. “That will be a good job for you, Veddy, I think you’ll like it.” He gave Veddy another hug. “I can’t wait to hear your song for me.”
Neither could Vederat.
