Still Preferred
A short study in efficiency, patience, and what cannot be replaced
We celebrate World Back Up day.
A day when we cherish what e nearly discard
Sometimes backups serve us well.
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Brown the teddy bear was -
Alarmed.
He wasn't as us functional as before. His usage had declined drastically. The children didn't need him as much.
It was clear that he was no longer top of the line. Popular online games were designed for attention.
Faster. Stronger.
He lacked flashiness - inefficient compared with Super Mario and Luigi. Mario sprang. He -
Ambled.
His responses were delayed.
But he wasn't being discarded -
Yet.
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It was time for a major upgrade. He needed arms that hugged on command. He had to have them positioned at an optimal angle.
That was against the flaccid toy's protocol.
The current generation of children expected instant results.The response time had to be immediate.
He flexed his soft, furry arms.
Again.
And again.
Failure was not an option.
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Brown put his plan into motion.
He placed himself on the little boy's favorite pillow. The child had first seen him on it. He had to be aligned at eye level.
Within reach.
The adjustments were backbreaking - and he hadn't much of a back. He stepped back, finally satisfied. The soft toy examined his handiwork.
That should suffice.
The child approached. His hand extended.
Contact was made.
Finally.
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They touched. Paused. Touched. Paused.
Touched.
Paused.
Almost met.
No response followed. The sequence was incomplete. No continuation. Nothing sustained.
Brown flexed his soft arms.
Again.
Reached.
Again.
The child's hand retreated then set aside. His attention shifted to Mario, now juming over flames in World 8.
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The teddy waited. Patience was in order.
The child eventually returned.
He had been found. Picked up from the trash.
Brown stayed on the pillow.
The child reached.
Again.
They touched.
Again.
Within reach. Without Mario.
🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸
Original story by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin.AI tags are coincidental.
For Mikeydred's March prompt
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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GRANDMA NELSON
Daddy pulled off the interstate, and I saw the all familiar red barn, and I knew we had arrived at Grandma Nelson's farm. I always had mixed feelings about seeing my Grandmother. It seemed she had as many Grandchildren as the old Mother in the shoe nursery rhyme. I saw her as different, but that is not why I hestiated. The truth be known I always got in trouble at her house, and ended up sitting in the car after I had been scolded.
By Susan Payton5 days ago in Fiction
Comments (3)
Great take on the concept
Really enjoyed the atmosphere of your story! The imagination and creativity here are inspiring
BLESSINGS HUGS