She was struggling to get her into the costume.
Her mother was saying, “Please, pet, you need to stand still while I get the back fastened.” She struggled some more, saying with a tone of encouragement, “I’m sure you’ll give a wonderful performance.”
The girl was pouting and still wriggling.
“I wanted to be…,” she mumbled.
“What, dear?”
“I really wanted to be a rabbit!”
“I know dear, you already told me that, but all of the other animals have already been given to all of the children in your class. I know for a fact that your teacher really needed someone to be a lobster.”
She waved her cardboard claws, saying, “I’m not surprised.”
“Well, no dear, perhaps not, but that’s just the way it is. Now; please stand still.” She fiddled a bit more and stood up. “There! All done. Take a look.” She pushed her daughter over to the mirror.
She stood, staring at her reflection. “But, I’m all pink!”
Her mother sighed, “Yes, dear, lobsters are pink.”
The girl said, “I don’t like pink; it’s sissy.”
Her mother suppressed a smile. “I’m sure lobsters are quite happy being pink.”
“Yes, but, I don’t want to be a lobster,” the girl replied, still whining. “Why couldn’t I be a rabbit? Rabbits are nice and fluffy. Why do I have to be a lobster?
Exasperated, the woman looked at the time. “Right. We have to get on now, our next-door neighbour will be here soon with her son. What is he going as, do you know?”
With a shrug of her shoulders, the girl said,” Don’t know,” followed by, “Don’t care.”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
The mother pointed to the door. “I think it would be nice if you answered that.”
She said a reluctant, “OK,” and swaggered off, with her costume flapping and rustling.
Moments later, the mother heard a scream. She rushed to the front door and found her daughter crouched against the wall, sobbing.
The mother opened the door fully and looked out.
He was a rabbit…
