CHAPTER 1

The Longest Storytime

My daughter Rebecca was learning to read She loved bedtime stories and all the pictures to see She'd sit on my lap listening and looking as I read Until she was sleepy and ready for bed

Each night I read two books, on occasion I read three And then she'd be ready to drift off to sleep I'd kiss her on the cheek and carry her to bed Then off to sweet dreamland she quickly would head.

But one night was different as I was to see It would be the longest storytime there ever could be. I'd read her three books but gosh, she was still wide awake And her eyes weren't even droopy for heaven's sake!

Her head wasn't nodding and she wasn't starting to snore What she did was jump up and run away across the floor!

When she returned to my chair to my great surprise She was carrying an armload of books and there was a twinkle in her eyes. "I'm not sleepy at all" she said "and I've got plenty of books alright ... So I guess it's gonna be a very long night!"

I protested "Now look Rebecca, it's getting late and I'm tired ... I can't read all those books, even if you are wired."

She plopped the books down with a thud on the side table And tried to keep from laughing as much as she was able "Don't worry Daddy" she said with a grin "I'll read them to you, now let's begin!"

She proceeded to read for what seemed like an hour That big stack of books was as tall as a tower

I loved that she could read so well but I was ready for bed And my eyes had just closed when Rebecca said "Wake up Daddy, I'm reading to you! Can't you stay awake until I'm through?"

As more time passed she'd nudge me awake if I started to drift off Or she'd startle me awake with a sudden loud cough! On and on she read for what seemed like another two hours And if I started to grumble she'd read even louder!

Her little voice droned on as steady as an engine As soon as one story ended another would begin Each book she finished would hit the floor with a plop And then she'd pick up another, she just wouldn't stop!

My neck was stiff and my back began to ache I didn't know how much more of this I could take! I could have insisted she stop but she was much too sweet And I was much too tired to get to my feet! So on and on she read ...

After a very long time it seemed as odd as could be But Rebecca was getting older right in front of me! She was bigger and heavier as she sat in my lap This storytime was incredibly long, there was no denying that!

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It would seem impossible but while Rebecca was reading she was steadily growing up!

And I seemed to be getting a lot older and was having even more trouble getting up.

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When I glanced in the mirror I shouted "Well I declare!" Rebecca was growing up and I had a long beard and gray hair!

Her hair was longer and her PJ's no longer fit But she just kept on reading, she just wouldn't quit!

How could this be? I just didn't know This had to be the longest storytime ever if I could see my kid grow!

Suddenly I woke myself up with a gigantic snore And boy was I happy things were back like before!

Rebecca was still 6, fast asleep, and all snuggly And when I carried her to bed in her half-sleep she hugged me

I had dreamed she'd grown up during that storytime marathon And was relieved that her childhood wasn't almost gone! As I tucked her into bed and kissed her on the cheek I knew I'd always remember this longest storytime there ever could be!