Who is Harold?



One day Harold woke up, and could not remember who he was, what he was, or where he belonged.



Harold decided to go out into the world and try to discover who he was, what he was, and where he belonged. Outside of his house, Harold looked at the mailbox, and saw the name "Harold." "Wait a minute," Harold thought. "I think ... yeah my name is Harold!" And Harold was happier.



Now knowing his name, Harold went to the park, where he met a pair of pears. After introducing themselves to each other, Harold asked, " Do you think I might be a pear?" The pair of pears thought about it for a moment, and then answered, "Harold we do not think you are a pear, because we are fruit. We grow on trees, and are soft inside." Harold knew that the pair of pears were right, because he was much bigger than the pears and he was solid all the way through. Harold also remembered he did not grow on a tree. "No. I am not a pear," he said sadly. "So what am I and where do I belong?" We are sorry Harold," the pair of pears answered. "Maybe if you go into town you can find out. You will always be welcome to visit with us. Good luck Harold."



On his way out of the park, Harold passed by a Mother Nesting Doll and her children enjoying a ride on a merry-go-round. "Hello. My name is Harold, do you know what I am?" asked Harold. "I'm sorry Harold, I do not know what you are," Mother Nesting Doll answered. "Well, what are you? Maybe I belong with you?" Harold then asked. Mother Nesting Doll explained," Harold, my children and I are nesting dolls. The smallest child fits inside a larger child until finally I carry all my children inside me." Harold was sad because he knew he would not fit in with the children nesting dolls. He was much larger than Mother Nesting Doll. "I wish I could stay with you," Harold said sadly. After talking with her children, Mother Nesting Doll said, " Harold, we think you should keep searching, but if you do not find out where you belong, you can stay with us." Harold was still sad, but a little happier because he had made some new friends. He said his goodbyes, and headed into town.



On his way to town, Harold Passed by a farm. "Howdy, Harold!" he heard from the other side of the fence. There in the garden of the farm he saw a gourd riding a tractor. "You know who I am? Who are you?" Harold asked. "Golly Harold you still don't remember? I'm Gourdy. Are you still trying to figure out what you are and where you belong?" Harold was confused and he answered, "Yes I am, but how did you know?" Gourdy answered, "Well,, you came by here yesterday, the day before that and the day before that. In fact I cannot think of a day you did not come by looking to find out." This made Harold sad again. " Don't worry Harold, I bet if you go to the bookstore in town, you could figure out what you are and where you belong. If you do not, I will see you tomorrow." After thanking Gourdy, Harold headed to the bookstore.  



When Harold got into town, he went straight to the bookstore. Inside Harold met the shopkeeper, Bulby. Harold knew Bulby's name because he wore a nametag. "Hello," Bulby said as he rushed around the messy store. "Mr. Bulby, I'm Harold. I was told I might be able to find out what I am and where I belong, here at the bookstore," Harold exclaimed. Bulby looked up from his cleaning and answered," I am sure the answer to what you are and where you belong is here in the store, but I do not know where it is. My store is a mess. If you come back later,, I can help you look." Harold offered to help clean, but Bulby responded, "Thank you Harold, but it will take a very long time. The time you spend helping me could be used for you to continue searching." Harold thought about it for a moment, and he thanked Bulby. If Harold could not find out what he was and where he belonged, he would come back to the bookstore. So Harold went out on to the street.



As Harold left the bookstore, he met Ms. Milk Bottle who was walking down Main Street. "Hello," Harold said to her. Ms. Milk Bottle responded, "Hello to you too. How are you today?" Harold started to cry, "I have been searching all over the place, trying to find out what I am and where I belong. I found my name, and I have made new friends, but no one can tell me what I am and where I belong. Do you know? Am I like you?" Ms. Milk Bottle sadly sighed, " I am sorry Harold. I am a milk bottle. I am clear and made of glass and filled with milk, and you my new friend, are tall, solid and made of wood." Harold started to sob, "Do you ever think I will find out the truth of what I am and where I belong?" Ms. Milk Bottle responded, "I do not know when, but you will discover the truth. Everyone spends a part of their life trying to find out who they are, what they are and where they belong, even me." This made Harold feel a little better. Ms. Milk Bottle wished Harold luck, and they said their goodbyes, and Ms. Milk Bottle went on her way, leaving Harold on Main Street.



Harold stood there on the street, alone and crying. He did not think he would ever find out what he was and where he belonged. He was tired and about to give up, when from behind him, he heard "HAROLD, HAROLD" in many different voices. "Someone is looking for me," Harold thought, and that mad ehim happy.



As the voices got closer, Harold turned to see 9 other things that looked exactly like him. "There you are Harold," said the one with the yellow ring around his neck. "Where have you been? We have been looking everywhere for you." Harold told the 9 how he met a pair of pears in the park, Mother Nesting Doll and her children on the merry-go-round, a gourd in a garden, a busy bulb in a bookstore and the milk bottle on Main Street. But he did not belong with any of them. "Silly Harold, you belong with us. We are bowling pins and you are our lead pin. We need you to do our job. Now hurry up, we are late," said the yellow-ringed bowling pin. When Harold heard all of this, he remembered everything. Then the ten pins rushed to the bowling alley.



Inside the bowling alley, Harold and the nine other pins got into formation at the end of the lane. He knew who he was, what he was, and where he belonged. He belonged here, with the rest of the bowling pins,

 

... and the big black ball coming towards them.



And then...



One day Harold woke up, and could not remember who he was, what he was, or where he belonged.