Idea Germs

I had the germ of an idea for a children's story the other day, while I was in the men's room at the Ferry Terminal in Anacortes, Washington. It went something like this:

Once upon a time, there were three little chunks of iron ore. They lived happily in a hillside somewhere in Montana.

One day, all three were chosen to become STEEL! But not just any ol' steel. They were to become STAINLESS STEEL!

The three little chunks were so happy! Off they went to join thousands of other little chunks at the steel mill down the road.

Finally, after hours and hours of refinement at the mill, it was graduation day! All the little chunks were now shiny slabs of stainless steel.

Each wondered, "What will become of me now?

At precisely 2:00, professor Bessemer started the graduation ceremony and proudly announced what each shiny slab was going to become:

"Little Slab #1, you shall become a stainless steel refrigerator in a beautiful mansion in Beverly Hills."

"Yippee!!" Shouted the first little slab.

"Little Slab #2, you shall become a Delorian sportscar!"

"Wowzowzer"! Screamed the second little slab.

And so it went for the rest of the group. From boat hulls to eating utensils, each slab was destined to become something useful as well as beautiful.

Eventually, there was only one slab left. It was the third little chunk from the hillside in Montana. The professor slowly took off his glasses and tried not to look directly at the little slab as he read its destiny. The room became quiet.

"Little Slab #3,... You shall become a urinal in the Ferry Terminal at Anacortes, Washington."

Little Slab #3 felt the initial flush of excitement suddenly drain away.

His buddies rushed over to console him. They said, "It won't be so bad, Little Slab. Look at the bright side. We will be spending hours alone in the garage or kitchen, but you'll always have guys 'hanging out' with you!"

(The last two paragraphs were contributed by my brother-in-law, who is a master of intended puns)