Story by Christie Waldman
Song by Eliza Waldman
Created for the children, during the pandemic.
Four-year-old Molly had gone shopping with her mom to a big store. It had everything you might want to buy.
The only thing was, Molly was not in the mood to shop that day–not even for toys. She just wanted to go home!
“What would you like for your birthday, Molly?” her mommy asked her. “Do you like this doll?
Molly didn’t say anything. She twirled her hair around her finger.
“I guess that means no,” said her mommy. “Oh look! Here are some nice puzzles. How about this one with cats and dogs on it. Aren’t they cute?”
“I guess so,” said Molly, “but I want my birthday present to be a surprise.”
“Of course!” said her mommy. “I just wanted to get some ideas. But if you don’t feel like shopping, that’s okay.”
Suddenly Molly did see something that interested her. She pointed with excitement down the aisle, to a display of children’s bedroom slippers.
“Oh Mommy, look!” said Molly. “Do you see those slippers with the fluffy pink bunny heads on them? Aren’t they cute!” Molly exclaimed.
“May I help you?” asked a store clerk.
“Yes, sir. I would like those pink bunny slippers, please,” said Molly.
“Do you have them in a child’s size 8?” asked her mommy.
“I’m sorry; we don’t,” the clerk said kindly. “They have been very popular. Even grown-ups like them.”
“Oh!” said Molly. She was disappointed.
“What about these slippers with giraffe-heads?” her mom asked her. “Or these baby-tigers? Or how about these elephants? Aren’t they cute!” Mom put the elephant slippers on her hands and wiggled them at Molly, like puppets.
“Y-e-s,” said Molly, smiling a little, “but I wanted the bunny slippers.
“I know, Molly,” said her mommy kindly. “I’m sorry the store doesn’t have the ones you want. But you do need new slippers. You’ve outgrown your old ones. Why don’t we get you the elephant slippers today. Then, next time you need slippers, we’ll be sure to get you the pink bunny slippers.”
“Okay,” said Molly, disappointed.
“This will be like an early birthday present,” said her mommy cheerfully. “You don’t even have to wait for your birthday to wear them.”
Molly could hardly wait for her birthday. It was just five days away!
Finally, the happy day came. Uncle George had come over for her birthday party. He was a lot older than she was. He was a college student! Her friends from next door, Beth and her little brother Sammie, came over too. Molly greeted them all at the door in her blue satin birthday dress. She had a matching blue ribbon in her hair. She felt very pretty and grown-up.
Everybody sang “Happy Birthday” to Molly. Then they had cake and ice cream, and Molly unwrapped all her presents. Her mommy and daddy gave her the doll and puzzle they had seen in the store. Uncle George handed her a box wrapped in shiny gold foil. Molly tore off the paper. Inside the box was a new drum! She started banging on it right away. Beth and Sammie soon joined in.
“I brought my guitar,” said Uncle George. “Maybe later on we can sing some songs and make some music.”
“That sounds great!” said Molly’s mommy. “Maybe after Molly opens her other presents.”
Beth and Sammie gave Molly a “magic” painting set. “You just paint with water and the colors magically appear,” said Sammie. Molly, Beth, and Sammie all wanted to start painting with it right away.
But her mommy said, “Time to play party games!”
The first game was a race. You had to walk across the living room, as fast as you could. The trick was, each person also had to also keep a balloon in the air. You could not use your hands. You could only use your head.
Uncle George played, too. He was just like a big kid, even though he was a grown-up. Once he leapt into the air chasing a balloon and fell down onto the sofa. Everyone laughed. It was okay to laugh, because he was laughing most of all.
Next, they played “pin the tail on the donkey,” musical chairs, and hide-the-button. Then, they sat down to try out Molly’s new painting set.
Finally, it was time for Beth and Sammie to go home.
“Thank you for coming,” said Molly. She gave each of them a little gift bag filled with candy and trinkets.
“Thanks for having us,” said Beth and Sammie.
“Whew!” said Molly’s mommy, after their guests had left. “That was fun, but I’m a bit tired. Molly, why don’t you show your Uncle George your new slippers. I’ve got to go help your dad clean up in the kitchen.”
“All right,” said Molly, without much enthusiasm.
“What’s wrong, Molly?” asked Uncle George, gently. “Don’t you like your new slippers?” He batted a balloon at Molly playfully.
“Ye-e-s,” said Molly, batting it back at him.
“Then what’s wrong?”
Molly stopped batting the balloon. “I didn’t really want elephant slippers,” she said, “but Mommy said we should get them this time. Then, next time we could get the pink bunny slippers, if the store had them in my size.” Molly felt like she was about to cry.
“That might be easy to fix,” said Uncle George. He went to the kitchen to talk to Molly’s parents. Then, he said, “Come on, Molly. Let’s go see if the store has gotten in any more pink bunny slippers.”
“Okay!” said Molly.
So Uncle George and Molly went to the store. On the way, they sang a song Uncle George made up. It was about–pink bunny slippers! It had a very “catchy” tune.
This time, the store did have pink bunny slippers in her size!
“We would like to make an exchange, please,” said Uncle George.
“Have you worn these elephant slippers?” asked the store clerk, looking at Molly seriously.
“No,” answered Molly (for she had not).
“Do you have the receipt?” the clerk asked, looking at Uncle George just as seriously.
“We do!” Uncle George produced it triumphantly.
“Then we will be glad to make the exchange,” said the clerk, smiling.
This made Molly so happy!
But then, she saw a little boy standing by the slipper display, wiping away tears. He was just about the same size as Molly. His mommy was telling him, “I’m sorry they don’t have the elephant slippers in your size, Maybe we could try another store and see if they have them in size 8.”
Molly went over to the little boy and asked, “Would these fit you? I am bringing them back.” She handed the elephant slippers to the little boy. He stopped crying and tried them on. Sure enough, they fit! Yay!
He began to dance for joy, and so did Molly. So did Uncle George!
And, when he began to sing the song he had made up–about the pink bunny slippers–why, even the clerk and the little boy’s mommy joined in! No one could hear that song without wanting to dance. They danced all the way out of the store and all the way home.
Pink Bunny Slippers
written and performed by Eliza Waldman
Lyrics to Pink Bunny Slippers
First verse I had an uncle; his name was George He liked to play guitar chords. He gave me some slippers; they were so funny. They had on them the head of a bunny. Chorus They were pink, pink, pink bunny slippers. They were pink, pink, pink bunny slippers. They were pink, pink, pink bunny slippers. They were pink, pink, pink! 2d verse Uncle George taught me how to dance and rave. He didn't know how to behave. I put on my slippers; they were so funny. They had on them the head of a bunny. Chorus (repeat)
Say, maybe you were as curious as I was about the funny little animal that adorns my daughter Eliza’s headband. It is called a “tarsier.” It is found in the Philippines. If you would like to find out more about the tarsier, here are two good places to start:
Jaymi Heimbuch, “Tarsiers! Cool facts about these wonderfully weird primates,” Mother Nature Network, April 21, 2015, https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/tarsiers-cool-facts-about-these-wonderfully-weird-primates.
Timothy Walker, “The unique, beautiful and amazing animals of the Philippines,” Philippines Lifestyle News, December 5, 2014, https://philippineslifestyle.com/animals-philippines/.
The words and music to “Pink Bunny Slippers” are copyright 2000-2024 by Eliza Waldman. This song was first recorded by Eliza & The Organix by Leesta Vall Direct-to-Vinyl Recording on April 6, 2019 (rock band version). The story, “Slippers for Molly,” is copyright Christina G. Waldman, 2020-2024. This page is copyright 2020 – 2024 by Christina Waldman and Eliza Waldman. All rights reserved. First posted April, 2020. Lat revised November 16, 2024. Eliza teaches music lessons. https://www.ewmusicstudios.com/about.