CHOCOLATE MOOSE

One day, as Lenny the Moose found himself standing next to a cabin, under the shade of some pine trees, he began to ponder what his purpose was.

As the other creatures of the forrest went about their busy day, they would stop a moment and invite Lenny to join them

“Come play with me in the hot hot sun.” Squeaked Squinty the Squirrel.

“Its not that I don’t want to.” said Lenny the Moose. “Its just that I’m made of chocolate and the hot hot sun would be the end of me.”

“Come help me build my dam in the rushing river.” Lisped Benny the Beaver.

“Its not that I don’t want to.” said Lenny the Moose. “Its just that I’m made of chocolate and the rushing river would be the end of me.”

“Come hop with me through the brambles.” Panted Randy the Rabbit.

“Its not that I don’t want to.” said Lenny the Moose. “Its just that I’m made of chocolate and the thorny brambles would be the end of me.”

Lenny looked at the pine trees, the cabin, and the fence that separated him from the people that passed by him.

“Won’t you come inside the fence and help me learn my purpose?” asked Lenny the Moose, of any passerby who paused long enough for him to pose his question.

“Its not that I don’t want to.” the passersby would say. “Its just that you’re made of chocolate and I just may be the end of you.” 

“Then how will I ever learn what my purpose is?” Lenny called to the passersby. But they had already gone on their way. Leaving Lenny to ponder and ponder and ponder.

One day, or night, Lenny could never tell the difference, a man walked up and came inside the fence.

“Won’t you help me learn my purpose?” Lenny begged.

“Of course Lenny!” said the man, as he picked up some trash, changed a few lightbulbs, and adjusted the video screen that hung just outside of Lenny’s view.  “You are the one and only Lenny the Chocolate Moose!”

“I know who I am sir,” said Lenny, “but what is my purpose?”

“You Lenny, bring tourists to Libby Candies.” said the man, as he repositioned the stuffed rabbit and beaver and squirrel that stood near Lenny. “Libby’s is a store that sells chocolate and ice cream” he continued. “You used to be stuffed, just like Benny, and Randy and Squinty here, but no one paid attention to you. So the creator made you out of chocolate instead of fur. When they see you, they feel like they want to eat chocolate and since, if we let them behind the gate, it would surely be the end of you. So instead, we point them to the counter just around the bend where they can buy chocolate and ice cream they can eat, and leave you to continue doing your important job.”

“And these tourists,” asked Lenny, “do I bring them well?”

“You do Lenny, you really really do.”