Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! or it's characters.
Chapter 23,
The bell rang for recess and Arnold looked around at all of the happy kids playing. He could be playing ball with Harold, Patti, Stinky, and Sid; or he could play on the four square with Gerald, Phoebe, Lila, and Brainy; or he could do musical routines with Eugene and Sheena; or he could hang out on the jungle gym with Rhonda and her 'cool kids' group... but in all honesty, he just wanted to be left alone.
Arnold went over to the side of the building, and leaned his back against the wall and sighed heavily. He stood there, missing Helga and feeling like the loneliest kid in the world. He slid down the wall, slumped over himself pathetically, and staring down at his hands. In Helga's mind, Arnold's tough meant so much to her, and yet he failed her when it mattered most. If he were only a split second faster, he could have grabbed her hand and saved her.
He trembled as the overwhelming thought consumed him and he hugged himself. That was the one thing he's been trying not to think about. He could have saved Helga, and he didn't.
Tears flowed through his eyes, and he cried softly. He didn't care who saw him, but he was overlooked; since he was perfectly blanketed by the gentle shadow of darkness.
-
Mai Hyunh received a rather unusual text from Olga Pataki. She had managed to book a flight last night, and hoped that Mai could meet her at the airport to pick her up. Mai knew her chances with Olga were nonexistent, but even then, Mai just had to meet her. She stood in the airport terminal with a sign that read 'Olga Pataki'.
Mai felt ridiculous at first, but then she saw a girl who took her breath away. A perky blonde with a green plaid skirt, a white long-sleeved shirt, with a black vest on top of it, brown boots with long socks, and green hoop earrings. She came right over to Mai.
"Oh, hello, dear heart- you must be Mai." Olga said, giving the newcomer a kiss on the cheek and hugging her tightly. Mai blushed at the act and gently tapped Olga's shoulder to acknowledge the hug.
"I, uh, nice to meet you, Olga." Mai managed and Olga pulled away.
"I would like to thank you for picking me up, Mai. Would you mind dropping me off at home?" Olga asked Mai blinked at her.
"Well, don't you want to see Helga first?" Mai asked and Olga sighed dramatically.
"Desperately. However, I do not wish to drag my luggage everywhere I go. It would probably be best to drop it off and check on my mother before I go to the hospital." Olga said and Mai looked down at Olga's luggage and reached for the suitcases
"Here, let me help you." Mai said.
"Oh, don't worry about it. That's not-"
They both froze when their hands touched; for an electric wave last through both of them.
"... not necessary." Olga said, letting go of Mai's hand so she could have it back.
"I'm here to help." Mai said softly and Olga hesitated a little.
"Well... ok, but not the suitcase. It's kinda heavy." Olga said and Mai smiled at her.
"Alright." Mai said, picking up the duffel bag and draping it across her shoulder. Together the two left the airport and Olga tucked some hair behind her ear. She thought she had banished these weird feelings when she was young.
Perhaps it was nothing. Perhaps it was a fluke. Maybe... maybe...
-
Arnold has stopped crying by the time recess ended and they returned to class. Mr. Simmons was cleaning the chalkboard and turned to the class.
"Ok, everyone. We've been talking about what makes a fairytale a fairytale. But can anyone tell me why fairytales are important in today's society?" Mr. Simmons asked, and the room was silent for a moment.
"Yes, Stinky?" Mr. Simmons asked.
"Well, they entertain the youngin's. You put them to bed and spend time with them and such." Stinky said and Mr. Simmons shrugged.
"Alright, they make for good bed time stories. Anyone else?" Mr. Simmons asked.
"They teach you not to be stupid- like selling a whole cow for three lousy beans." Harold said.
"Fairytales are a nice way to teach lessons to the younger generation. 'Don't talk to strangers', 'listen to your parents', 'you deserve better', and many more. But if we stop and think about how old most of these stories are, it's rather boggling that we still tell these stories, and find new ways in which to tell these stories. French writer Charles Perrault first published Little Red Riding Hood In 1697; along with Cinderella that same year. Snow White was published by Brothers Grimm, entitled 'Tale 53', they also collected Rapunzel. Snow Queen is from 1844. Little Mermaid, 1836. Jack and the Beanstalk 1807. These stories have literally been around 2, 3, 4 hundred years. Can anyone think of a reason why these stories are still being told today?" Mr. Simmons asked.
Again the room was silent. Arnold thought about these stories and perhaps he was a little upset, but he thinks he has an answer. So he rose his hand.
"Yes, Arnold?" Mr. Simmons said.
"Because they acknowledge evil." Arnold said grimly and the class turned to stare at him.
"uh... care to elaborat on that?" Mr. Simmons asked and Arnold shrugged lazily.
"Evil takes many forms in this world. It may not always be a hungry wolf, or a scorned witch, or an overbearing stepmother, or a fire-breathing dragon; but it's there. It acknowledges the fact that the world isn't always perfect, and life isn't always happy." Arnold paused he realized how macabre he was getting.
"But it also shows, that no matter what evil you face, you can find a way to overcome the darkness and prevail against all odds." Arnold finished and Mr. Simmons clearers his throat.
"Well said, Arnold. To quote Neil Gaiman, 'Fairytales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." Mr. Simmons said, giving Arnold a sad, supportive smile.
"Now, I think it would be fun to look at some of the modern versions of our fairytales, such as Happily N'ever After, Beastly, Sydney White, Jack the Giant Slayer, Hoodwinked!, Not Cinderella's Type. Then really diving into the essence of each story, and the lessons they all teach us." Mr. Simmons said and Arnold blinked when he heard that last option.
He's never heard of 'Not Cinderella's Type', but something about it still caught his attention. He made a small note of it in his notebook and thought it would be a good idea to check the library later.