Fred

This is my story, by Fred.

There I was in the middle of all these big beautiful rich green trees. Most of them are twice my height. I get picked on a lot. "Hey runt" or "whitey" they call me. I try to ignore them, but the taunt me so that I can't help but droop a little. It's the same thing every night since they got me out of the box, but in the day time...it's much worse.

"Look at that ugly thing." "Would someone buy that on purpose?" "You've got to be kidding?" All day long people pass by and make comments. I don't know if that's worse or when they turn their backs on me and pretend I'm not there at all. The whole time that's taking place the green trees are standing there laughing at me. "You're never getting out of here." "We're what they all want."

Nobody wants me. I'm pale. Actually, I'm white. I started out green then they painted white over me and this sprinkle stuff they kept saying "That's not helping" each time they tried something new. I'm skinny. I can't help it. I want to be big and round like the others. More then one person's called me Charlie Brown's tree. But funny, Charlie Brown never came to get me. I'm all alone. I lean some too. Did I mention that? It's really not my fault. The people who engineered me did something wrong and it's difficult for me to stand up straight. I don't even try anymore. Why bother, no one wants me. They even put these round bulbs on me so I would be more attractive, but I think people like me even less now, is that possible?

Wait, did you hear that? Listen, over there.

"Doesn't your dad like white? White would go in the family room. There's no white here."

(Stand up Fred. Show her that you're there. She wants white, you're 1/2 way there.)

"There's a white one. Well, sort of. Do you think your dad will like this one? I don't know it's kind of ugly. I'm not sure about this one. But there's something about it, it's so ugly it's almost cute. What do you think?"

"I think we should get Fred."

Fred?! Did you hear that, that girl just gave me a name, that's got to be good, right?! Stand tall Fred, (that's me) Stand proud. Don't mess this up!

"Fred, huh."

"Yup, that's his name and he's my new brother."

New brother! Did you hear that?! I'm family! :) I've got to be in now!

"Okay, we'll get Fred."

YAY! I'm in. I've got a family!

"He'll look good in the family room."

Did you hear that, I've got my own room! :) How cool is that? No more towering green guys laughing at me. Who's laughing now? :) Yee Haw! I'm going HOME! HOME!

And that's the story of Fred.