A Re-Telling of E.B. White’s Stuart Little
There once was a teensy family that lived in a teensy home in the middle of a not so teensy place. The Little’s were a happy family, mostly. They had one son, named George, who was a curious, kind boy. They really enjoyed New York City. Their home was in the center of all of the magical energy that New York so naturally has.
Although they were mostly happy, Mister and Misses Little felt something was missing. They feared their son may be missing out, growing up alone in the house without any siblings. While George assured them that he was really alright, they were consoled very little, as most seven year olds cannot possibly understand what’s best for themselves or for others around them. Upon their worry, the thought of adoption appeared. Pretty immediately after first discussing it, the two informed George that this was their plan. He expressed that this troubled him greatly, but they had made up their minds. They made arrangements to visit the orphanage that they were familiar with. It wasn’t terribly far from their home. And so, shortly after this tense conversation with George, the Little’s set out on the brief subway ride to meet its residents.
George got along with all of the children he met. His very decided mind started to become a bit more open to this idea. He did like his classmates, after all. Maybe having a sibling would be nice. He continued to play with them as his parents talked to some seemingly important adult in a room down the hall. Nearly an hour passed by. Mr. Little came out of this room with a nervous smile. He stepped outside with George.
This is when George was told something very peculiar. Something very very peculiar. The Little’s were going to be taking someone home with them this very day. The adoption process went unusually quickly, something even seven year old George recognized as strange. George told his father that he was very excited. He said that he’d like to know which one of the children it would be! A sister? A brother? Someone older? Someone younger? He expressed all of this with quite a smile. Mr. Little was relieved. He filled George in.
“We’ll be adopting Stuart! Stuart Little, now. Stuart is a mouse. He’ll be a wonderful brother and friend.”
“A WHAT?!” George cried.
What an interesting few moments. George Little wouldn’t ever forget them. They were frozen in his mind, there for him to revisit at age twenty-three and forty-seven and ninety-one. He felt as though he may faint. Why was his father telling him such a silly thing in such a serious tone?
The next thing he knew, he was on the subway. A part of a family of four. George found himself completely confused. He figured it was probably a wonky dream. Surely. Stuart was smiling sheepishly at him from Mrs. Little’s lap. He was a tiny creature. George wasn’t the littlest Little anymore.
They arrived home and his mother and father set up a bitty bed for Stuart. George’s petit blue room now one for two.
The following weeks went by surprisingly quickly. Stuart tried hard to be George’s friend. George was relatively distant, as distant as he could be from across the tiny bedroom. This all changed a few months after Stuart joined the family.
One night, on his regular walk around the neighborhood, Mister Little found a flyer announcing a community sailboat race in Central Park the upcoming weekend! He decided this would be a wonderful opportunity for him and his sons to spend time together. The three went to the hardware store a few blocks away and bought supplies. The next few weekdays, when Mister Little got home from work, they’d work on their model sailboat. They tested their prototypes in the bathtub, and on Friday evening, they ventured out to Central Park and set their final model asail. It ran beautifully. They were well prepared for the race the following afternoon, and George and Stuart seemed to be really enjoying each other’s company.
The next day rolled around. The Little’s went out to breakfast. George and Stuart were both feeling a very jittery excitement. Mister and Misses Little were very happy to see their family this way. Once they arrived at the pond, George decided he’d like Stuart to set the boat asail at the start line. This was very classically George of him to do. Stuart did a beautiful job, the race began, and the Littles cheered so excitedly! *Woosh, woosh, woosh!* They ran alongside the other people in the park to cheer on their boat. It was a close race. Their boat was neck to neck with three others. The finish line was in sight! *Woosh, woosh!* Just a few more yards to go! Mister Little scooped George and Stuart up on his shoulders for a better view. The crowd of dozens of families jumped and laughed and cheered. *Woosh,woosh, woosh!* The finish line ribbon BROKE! First, second, third, fourth, all trailing in very closely. Fifth, sixth, seventh, Stuart and George’s focus turned from the water to each other. They smiled. The two were very content with their third place title. Misses Little made sure to give them all a big hug and kiss and tell her husband and sons how absolutely proud of them she was!
A few minutes later, the boys were marching around with a beautiful blue ribbon. The four went out for ice cream to celebrate. Later that evening, Mister Little nailed the ribbon to the wall in between George and Stuart’s beds. They were jittery for the whole day, and once their parents tucked them in, they laid in their beds, giggling and talking about the exciting day. The brothers eventually dozed off. And while, like most every relationship to have ever been, the two had ups and downs and bumps and dips, from that pretty summer day on, they were friends. Friends, and above that, brothers. And they loved each other very much.
