7-28-04

My proof? Simply a quote:

"I just, like, wanted to go in there. I thought I could slip back out, but I couldn't"-Timmy, a boy who crawled into a toy crane game.

In my heart of hearts I dream I somehow fathered this child. I toy with the idea and a smile springs to my face much as it must have done to Timmy when he crawled into toy heaven through a hole smaller than a piece of loose leaf paper. He then was stuck inside the machine. Check out this site for some pics and a sort video.

The entire situation is so well documented in the news story that the whole scene just plays itself out in my head. The kid is trying to get a certain toy, and by design of the crain game, is horribly thwarted at every turn. His Dad needs his last two quarters to call his booky and check the spread on a couple of games. The kid, intent on the toy prays to Jesus and God for divine assistance. When he opens his eyes from his solemn prayer he is INSIDE THE DAMN MACHINE! He did all of this in a crowded Piggly Wiggly (which I forgot exists until I read it and is pretty hilarious) with his dad on the phone 3 feet away. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY POSSIBLE. Prayers are granted every day. Not all of them turn out to be silly news stories. Some go unnoticed.

The best part of the story? The kid forgot what toy he wanted, and a hour and fifteen minutes later, when the firemen finally get him out, he walks away empty handed.

Josiah Jarrett