Once upon a time, when Richard and Jake were little boys, they lived in a house above their dad’s printing shop.
Every morning, when dad got ready to go down stairs to work, he would cheerfully kiss his two sons on the far-head and before shutting the basement door would say. “Well, today I will fight off the printing ink monsters and do a man’s job.”
Sometimes, their father would be gone all day and when he returned, it was always with a big grin, proclaiming successfully keeping the printing demons at bay.
When Richard or Jake tried to find out what the monsters looked like, his father would make all kinds of expressions covering his eyes and never really answered the question.
One day, when little Richard couldn’t sleep, he tapped his big brother on the shoulders and said. “I think I heard something downstairs. Lets go look, shall we?” He exclaimed, putting on his Sherlock Holmes hat.
Jake knew there was no way he could change his brothers mind so, he put on his slippers and they went down stairs. After they looked in every room and were about to go back to their bed room, they heard a noise coming from the basement.
Richard cupped his hands and whispered in Jakes ears. “I wonder if the printing monsters can’t sleep too. Maybe they want someone to play with.” He whispered, slowly opening the door.
Before Jake could stop his brother, he had already turned on his flashlight and started downstairs. “Hello, Hello, is anyone there?” Richard said, in a low tone.
When no one answered, and they turned toward the door to return upstairs, Richard heard a little sneeze. “Achoo!” He returned it with a, “bless you,” and taking some little steps forward, he followed the sound.
“Greetings ink monster, I know you are there. Come out, come out, where ever you are.” He called out, looking behind the printing press.
Suddenly, in a little puff of colorful smoke, out jumped a blue figure with a big smile.
As soon as their eyes met, they knew they were instant friends and it began to speak. “I am called Little Blue and couldn’t sleep so, I thought I would send out a request to play with someone. Glad you got my message. Are you ready to play?” He asked, reaching out his hand.
Jake shook his hand with his special boy scout shake, let out a “sure thing Blueie.” and motioned to his brother to join them.
Once the three of them were face to face, Little Blueie showed them his special high five greeting. With a wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, shake, shake, shake, and a thumb matching hug, the cool greeting was done and their new friend began to speak.
“By the way, I am not Blueie. I am just Little Blue.” He stated, with a giggle before continuing. This is Blueie,” he said, letting out a low whistle.
All of a suddenly, out jumped a lighter blue colored small ink monster. “Pleasure to meet you. I am Blueie the love monster who lives in that machine in the corner. At your service.” He said, taking a bow.
One by one, more and more little ink monsters came out to play. There was Freddie Red, Orie Orange, Yesa Yellow, Winkapink, Greensleeves and one called Blackie. They all looked like ink spots with legs, arms, and little bellies.
Everyone shared with some high fives and gathered to have some fun. Freddie Red got on a printing press, rolled up a piece of paper for a megaphone, and made an announcement. “We must try and be quiet because many of the grown up ink monsters are sleeping in the printing machines. I suggest, we play the pass the ink game with our friends.” He concluded, with a big grin.
After handing Jake and Richard a bowl of colors, and Little Blue shouted “one, two, three,” everyone began to gently pass around the colors.
Soon in the excitement of the moment, everything started to change and the little beings began to throw colors around the room. All the young ink monsters needed to do was, reach into their own colored body and they all had plenty ammunition.
Richard and Jake began to copy their friends and had a ball throwing the colors around, as they watched them splat against everything. Jake got his brother good with some red ink and Richard managed to give his brother some yellow and orange hair.
Everything was great until, one of the ink grown-ups awakened. “What is going on?” He shouted, clapping its hands to get everyones attention. “Just look at this place.” The adult ink spot said, with a sigh.
By now, most of the little ones went into hiding except, Little Blue, Richard, and Jake. “I am sorry grandpa ink. I just couldn’t sleep and my new friends answered my call to play.” He said, looking down.
Grandfather ink knew little Blue really was sorry and pointing to the mess began to echo in colorful jargon. “Esa-red-a-took Mee-greenie-na-noo purr-pleie ga Mena Mena.” he said, as Richard and Jake starred in confusion.
When Little Blue heard his words, he lightly tugged on his ink spot grandpa. “English grandpa ink, english remember we have visitors.” He said, with a smile.
The elder ink spot chuckled and began again. “There is just one thing to do. We must call upon the ink fairy to clean up this mess and if we send out our gratitude and promise to be more responsible, she will come.” He said, giggling and patting Little Blue on the head.
Jake, Richard, Little Blue and grandpa ink gathered hands and after whispering a prayer something began to appear. It had big wings and it’s body was that of a sparkling clear ink spot.
The fairy ink spot greeted everyone with a delightful smile, turned around releasing a beautiful vibrational song to let them know that their prayer was heard, and began to move around the room.
As the fairy drifted about, she waved her magic colorful wand and everything it came in contact with instantly was cleaned. In no time, the office was spotless and everyone gave her a round of applause before she disappeared.
Once the basement was back in order, and the yarns started to come quite frequently, grandpa ink monster called everyone to gather. “Children,” he said, taking a deep breath. “You all have had a busy night. Reminds me of when I was a wee little one and would stay up often, playing with the rainbow colors of my dreams.”
Grandpa Ink paused to look at the two boys and began again. “My dear Jake and Richard, you guys are now part of our group of loving ink monsters and are welcome anytime as long as you stay in your hearts. But...” He continued, shaking his colorful finger, “you must remember that just because we are monsters, doesn’t mean we are all bad. Do not let fear of the unknown or our size scare you. We are really here though he doesn't know it, to help your father make his masterpieces so, fear us not.”
He took a drink of colorful ink, before continuing. “Let this be our secret for if word got out, that we are play experts filled with love, your father would get no work done.” Grandpa ink concluded, giving them a special hug.
After the boys shared in a final high five ritual, they said their good byes and went up to bed. Because of all their excitement they were bushed and in a wink of an eye, they fell fast asleep.
The next morning, when their dad got ready to go downstairs Richard and Jake smiled intently. Have a great day and say hi to the ink monsters for us, won’t you? We know you can fight them off.” Jake said, with a grin.
“Sure thing,” Their father replied, giving his normal kiss on the far-head before closing the door. They could hear their fathers footsteps as he mumbled, “I am ready for you ink monsters. I’m ready so, beware.” He echoed.
And as Jake and Richard gave each other the special high five that they learned from their ink friends, mommy dearest came over. “Whats this?” She explained, pointing to the splotch of yellow and orange ink on Jakes collar. Must have rubbed off when I fell into a vat of ink in my dreams.” He jokingly said, with a grin. “No matter, just give it to me and I’ll make it as good as new.” She responded, giggling at her sons humor.
Once Jake handed his pajama shirt over, they all were ready for a good breakfast. It was just in time because, from both Jake and Richard’s night adventure, they sure worked up a good appetite.
