”Let me tell you. I have to tell you. You’re just not going to believe it.” The little one literally bounced with excitement.
“Let me guess first. There’s a yellow elephant the color of a banana peel walking up Main Street wearing pink trousers and a teal bowler hat.” This was spoken by a taller figure slouched over a kitchen sink scrubbing dishes by hand.
The little one’s shock could not be more complete. He stood open-mouthed and tried to speak without success for some seconds before stamping a foot and crying, “How on Earth did you know?”
“Today’s the 26th of October in a year that ends in zero, isn’t it?” said the figure bent over the dishes without looking up. “This is the day when the yellow clown elephant runs the streets. It’s like clockwork.”
“Next you’ll say that hawks poop on the elephant’s head as part of the tradition,” the little one pouted.
“Nope,” said the dishwasher, looking up finally. “That’s a new wrinkle. Must be a 2020 thing.”