Disclaimer: I don't the KND.
When I met them I learned about the true meaning of children's evil…
When I met them, everything seemed okay. I for one was dressed in a suit and tie, and so were they. We stared at each other for a little bit but then the greatest thing happened or perhaps the worst.
"Hello there child. What is your name?" the Delightful Children purred.
Meekly I replied, "Owen. Owen Colville to be exact."
"Have you heard about the Kids Next Door?" They practically sneered when they said that. At that time, I guessed there was some sort of neighborhood rivalry. I remember once when the old man had explained to me about rivalries. He told me they could get deadly if not kept under control.
"No." I replied. When I first heard the words, Kids Next Door, I thought it was silly neighborhood club! I thought they probably had tree houses, secret meetings in rooms, always being interrupted by demanding parents or annoying siblings. Only I didn't know how close I was to the true meaning of that organization.
They slyly smiled and said, "Come join us for some tea and biscuits, Owen. We will tell all about the Kids Next Door then."
After that, they just walked away. I was delighted to except a tea invitation! My previous caretaker had told me that in his time if someone had invited you to a tea "party", especially right away, that meant that they took to you and thought you to be important. So I threw on my best clothes which meant wearing my navy blue suit with a blue undershirt and navy-blue knickers, I was set to go. Once I got outside, I felt like cutting through the grass yards to get to the kids' mansion only I didn't because I thought that would be really bad manners and didn't want to make any of my new neighbors mad.
As soon as I got out however, I saw them. I saw these kids and I saw a gigantic tree house. These kids looked like there was fighting something with real weapons guns that shot gumballs and lasers.
What kind of tyranny is this? I don't like the way they fight with those guns…they could hurt somebody! I mean they could really, really hurt somebody!
I ignored my thoughts as I raced past the sticky battle scene. It seemed like these kids were battling a toilet man! I laughed at that and walked briskly down the sidewalk. As I can remember, my etiquette teacher had told me that little children running about weren't good. It promoted rudeness and recklessness.
At last I happened upon the Delightful Children's mansion. It was big and lovely, just like the old man's when I had stayed in his. I stood there straightly and rang the doorbell hoping to make a good first impression. The children opened the door and gestured me inside in which I quickly bowed and followed them. They led me down a narrow hallway, the walls decorated with portraits. I guess these kids had a big family. Finally we were standing in a calm yellow room with orange stripes. It looked like the butler or maid or whoever arranged the tea had already laid out the material.
This was good, I thought. At least these people are orderly!
"Owen, we've wanted to tell about those kids who call themselves The Kids Next Door!"
I gripped my chair almost slouching. Immediately I straightened myself out. I would soon learn how my strange habits would get me in trouble.
"Now, now. Hear us out. We have to tell you about the greatest terror to kids everywhere around the world!"
Around the world?
"These kids terrorize other children, they brainwash them! They teach these kids that it's okay to eat candy for every meal! They don't brush their teeth! They don't have good manners! They practically teach kids everywhere to be barbarians!"
I gasped in shock and horror. Before then and now life for me had always been filled with good manners and such restrictions with healthy meals and whatnot. The old man I had lived with gave me candy on several occasions but he said that if a kid eats too much candy their brain and teeth rot!
"We want you to help us, Owen! They've tried to stop us in our efforts of making polite children! You can help reeducate them!"
I nearly laughed at the thought of being a teacher. I imagined myself being stooped over a lesson book, hitting kids' desk with a long, wooden stick.
"And if you help Owen, there will be great rewards for you. Think about it, Owen. If we help them, the world will be a better place."
I nodded. It wasn't the first time I heard about manners making the world a better place.
"Another thing we've wanted to save last for last, Owen."
The looked really sinister then for a little bit but then seemed to be overcome with a bout of sadness.
"They detest children like you. They hate children like you. If you fall into their hands…horrible things happen."
I was scared right then and there. What was I to do? How did these nice people live with these terrorists surrounding them? I thought manners and a well behaved child that obeyed adults (unless it was a really ridiculous command) was good! Oh, I couldn't let the Kids Next Door get to me or them!
I must help them! I must!