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Abstract

nt. But…Tears fall from Anna’s eyes.Arthur: Yes Joey, we are important to the humans. Don’t you see how they are sitting around moping without being able to enjoy the outdoors with us like they usually do? Without tennis, swimming, and dancing, their lives are not the same.Joey: So why do they listen to these stupid rules?Arthur: The rules aren’t stupid Joey; they are there for a very important reason. This new virus, it is very dangerous. The rules have been put in place to limit our suffering. If humans follow the rules, and stop going out, if they maintain social distancing, then in the future they can enjoy life the way they used to. With us, in the outdoors, in the sun.Joey: How much time, dad, until I can go out again? Until I can swim in pools and lakes? How much time until you can run around on grass and mud and play to your heart’s content? How much time until mom can go out and dance with the others?Arthur: I don’t know, child. It could be weeks; it could be months. But we need to keep trusting that things will get better. This too shall pass.Anna: Actually, Arthur, I heard the humans talking about donations. They want to help support their community and those that aren’t as well off as them. They talked about donating shoes too.There are several moments of silence as Arthur Tennis Shoes, Anna Louboutins, and Joey Swim Shoes think about being donated.Joey: Mom, dad — will this mean we will not be a family anymore? Will we be sent away to different households?<p id="3816

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">Joey’s sobs are growing louder, and his tears are flowing freely now.Anna looks at Arthur.Anna: No child, we may remain together. Perhaps another family will take us in together.Arthur: Yes Joey, don’t think like that. Let’s hope for the best. Just think — wouldn’t you be thrilled if a little boy who might not be able to afford swim shoes gets you? Won’t it make you happy to help a child swim, to participate in his experience of learning how to swim?Anna: You are right Arthur. I know my bottoms are a little scuffed, but it would be wonderful to help a woman learn how to dance, especially if she would not be able to afford them in difficult times like these. It would mean so much to me, to be able to bring a smile to someone’s face.Arthur: As it would to me, helping someone learn tennis. Helping them run around, giving them the best arch support, I possibly can. This is after all the purpose of my existence.Joey has stopped sobbing and is looking at his parents with pride.Joey: You are the best parents I could have ever asked for. I am thankful to the universe for giving me the bestest parents!Anna: As am I thankful to have you both in my life. Shall we hold hands?Arthur: Yes Anna, Joey, let’s hold hands. Let’s be grateful for the wonderful life we have experienced so far. Let’s go into the future with hope. Let’s fulfill our purpose, no matter what route that may take. Let’s trust the universe to help us change and evolve. Let’s help each other the best we can.</article></body>

What the Shoes are Saying About Coronavirus

The closet door was partly open. Three pairs of shoes lay side by side, clean and smiling up at the new rays of sunshine of the early days of spring.

Arthur Tennis Shoes, Anna Louboutins, and Joey Swim Shoes were a family, and looked forward to summer every year — long lazy days of intense outdoor sports, and warm balmy nights of dancing and socializing.

This year though, something was sharply different.

Joey: Mom, what’s happening? It’s been five days since the season started, and I am yet to be taken out and readied for swim events. Are the humans losing track of time?

Anna: Joey, this year is different. I heard them talk about something called Corona. It is somehow preventing them from going out.

Arthur: Yes. Tennis is something they never ignore in the season. This Corona thing is scaring everyone. No one is supposed to go out except to bring food and medicines. They are calling it “essential needs” only.

Joey: Dad, aren’t we essential to them? Aren’t we important?

Anna: Joey, sweet child, of course we are important. But…

Tears fall from Anna’s eyes.

Arthur: Yes Joey, we are important to the humans. Don’t you see how they are sitting around moping without being able to enjoy the outdoors with us like they usually do? Without tennis, swimming, and dancing, their lives are not the same.

Joey: So why do they listen to these stupid rules?

Arthur: The rules aren’t stupid Joey; they are there for a very important reason. This new virus, it is very dangerous. The rules have been put in place to limit our suffering. If humans follow the rules, and stop going out, if they maintain social distancing, then in the future they can enjoy life the way they used to. With us, in the outdoors, in the sun.

Joey: How much time, dad, until I can go out again? Until I can swim in pools and lakes? How much time until you can run around on grass and mud and play to your heart’s content? How much time until mom can go out and dance with the others?

Arthur: I don’t know, child. It could be weeks; it could be months. But we need to keep trusting that things will get better. This too shall pass.

Anna: Actually, Arthur, I heard the humans talking about donations. They want to help support their community and those that aren’t as well off as them. They talked about donating shoes too.

There are several moments of silence as Arthur Tennis Shoes, Anna Louboutins, and Joey Swim Shoes think about being donated.

Joey: Mom, dad — will this mean we will not be a family anymore? Will we be sent away to different households?

Joey’s sobs are growing louder, and his tears are flowing freely now.

Anna looks at Arthur.

Anna: No child, we may remain together. Perhaps another family will take us in together.

Arthur: Yes Joey, don’t think like that. Let’s hope for the best. Just think — wouldn’t you be thrilled if a little boy who might not be able to afford swim shoes gets you? Won’t it make you happy to help a child swim, to participate in his experience of learning how to swim?

Anna: You are right Arthur. I know my bottoms are a little scuffed, but it would be wonderful to help a woman learn how to dance, especially if she would not be able to afford them in difficult times like these. It would mean so much to me, to be able to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Arthur: As it would to me, helping someone learn tennis. Helping them run around, giving them the best arch support, I possibly can. This is after all the purpose of my existence.

Joey has stopped sobbing and is looking at his parents with pride.

Joey: You are the best parents I could have ever asked for. I am thankful to the universe for giving me the bestest parents!

Anna: As am I thankful to have you both in my life. Shall we hold hands?

Arthur: Yes Anna, Joey, let’s hold hands. Let’s be grateful for the wonderful life we have experienced so far. Let’s go into the future with hope. Let’s fulfill our purpose, no matter what route that may take. Let’s trust the universe to help us change and evolve. Let’s help each other the best we can.