Mihoshi Spreads the Joy

'Mihoshi, get up!' Kiyone yells at me.
I yawn, then turn over in my bed.
'I mean it Mihoshi! Sasami needs to wash those sheets!'
'Oh Kiyone...' I mumble sleepily, 'Just two more hours...'
'No Mihoshi! Get up NOW!!' She hollers at me in an impatient tone.
'Mihoshi!' Sasami's voice calls to me. 'Space Police Policeman is on!'
I shoot out of bed like a missile and tear down the stairs to the television.
On my way down I almost knock Tenchi over. I'll apologize on a commercial break.
I don't even see Kiyone tell Sasami, 'Good work', or Sasami reply 'Thanks!'
I am glued to the tv for half an hour. After the show's conclusion, I stand up and stretch.
The time on the clock reads 12:30 PM. Hmm... almost time for my after-television nap.
But first, a snack. Since I slept through breakfast and lunch today, my snack size will be doubled today.
I dig through the kitchen, grabbing anything that looks good- potato chips, cookies, cake... even some sushi left over from lunchtime.
As I devour my miniature meal, I hear a commercial on the tv. No, wait... It's one of those public service announcements.
A man dressed in casual everyday clothing asks me if I know anyone who is sad.
'Do you know anyone who just lays around all day, wearing a frown? Or maybe someone who just seems a little under the weather?' he asks.
I think for a moment. Do I know anyone like that? Hmm...
Of course! Ryoko! She hasn't been out of bed for three and a half months! And never once have I seen her smile!
'Yes! Yes I do know someone like that!' I call to the television announcer with excitement.
'If your answer is yes,' he says, 'then maybe you should do something for that person.'
'Like what?! Like what?!' I enthusiastically reply, nearly falling of my chair.
'Play a game with them! Take them somewhere! Give them flowers! Tell them jokes! Do anything! Just spend time with them. If you spread the joy, you'll definately have them smiling in no time!'
'Alright!' I shout and jump up. 'I'll spread the joy!'
I start thinking again. What should I do?
Play a game with her...? No, she doesn't do anything anymore.
Take her somewhere...? No, she doesn't get up out of bed.
Give her flowers...? Tell her jokes...?
Yes! I can do those things! And I'll start by getting some flowers for her!
I run outside to pick flowers.
Two hours later, I have collected baskets and baskets of flowers, and brought them all to Ryoko's room.
I get creative and decorate her entire room with them. There are flowers all over the place.
'Okay now! What next?' I ask myself aloud.
Oh yeah! Jokes! Now... What really funny jokes have I heard lately...?
'Hey, Ryoko! Have you heard the one about the blind man who swung his seeing-eye dog around inside a restaurant? He was looking for a place to sit!'
I laugh out loud at my own joke.
'Okay... Two guys walk into a bar, and the third one ducks!' I laugh some more.
A bunch of bad jokes later, I think of what else I can do for her.
But, I've done what that the man told me to do! What else is there?
An idea strikes me.
In ten minutes, I return with a rather heavy karaoke machine, and set it up in the corner of Ryoko's room.
'Okay Ryoko, it's time for some singing!' I shout, then seranade her for hours with some of my favorite songs.
Afterwards, I sit on the edge of Ryoko's bed and sigh.
'I guess you're probably tired of my bad singing, huh?' I ask her with a smile.
I've finally run out of things to do. 'Now what? I've done everything I can. What should I do?'
I feel so discouraged now. But just before I get up to leave, I hear Ryoko mutter something in her sleep.
'Mihoshi...' she whispers. 'Sing me another song...' Her fading request sounds like a child begging its parent for just one more bedtime story.
'Alright Ryoko!' I reply with my new-found enthusiasm. 'Anything to spread the joy.'