A story by Christie Waldman, and “Pink Bunny Slippers,” a song by Eliza Waldman
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, even for toys. She just wanted to go home!
“What would you like for your birthday, Molly?” her mom had 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 mom. “Well, how would you like a new puzzle? Here’s a nice one with cats and dogs. Aren’t they cute?”
“Mom, I just want to go home,” said Molly. “I don’t want to know what I’m getting for my birthday.”
“Oh, okay,” said her mom. “I just wanted to get some ideas. But if you are not in the mood to shop, that’s okay.”
Suddenly Molly did see something that interested her. She pointed with excitement down the aisle, to the shoe section.
“Oh Mom, look!” said Molly. “Do you see those slippers with the fluffy pink bunnies on the toes? Oh, could I please have those for my birthday!” Molly exclaimed.
“May I help you?” asked a store clerk.
“Yes, sir. I would like those pink bunny slippers, please,” said Molly.
“Would you have them in my daughter’s size, size 8?” asked her mom.
“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 very disappointed.
“What about these giraffe-head slippers?” 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 elephants are not bunnies.”
“I know,” said her mom. “Come to think of it, you really 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 make sure to find you some pink bunny slippers.”
“Okay,” said Molly, but she was disappointed.
“This will be like an early birthday present,” said her mom cheerily. “You don’t even have to wait for your birthday to wear them.”
Now, Molly could hardly wait for her birthday.
Finally, the happy day came! Uncle George had come over for her birthday party. So had her friends from next door, Beth and her little brother Sammie. Molly greeted them at the door in her blue satin birthday dress. She had a matching ribbon in her hair. She felt very pretty.
Everybody sang “Happy Birthday” to Molly. Then they had cake and ice cream, and Molly unwrapped all her presents. Her mom and dad gave her the doll and puzzle they had looked at in the store. Uncle George gave her a drum, wrapped in shiny gold foil. 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 together.”
“That sounds great!” said Molly’s mom. “Maybe after Molly opens her other presents.”
Beth and Sammie had given Molly a “magic” painting set. You painted with water and the colors just appeared on the page. It seemed like magic! Molly, Beth, and Sammie all wanted to start painting with it right away.
But her mom 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 after the balloon and fell down. Everyone laughed. It was okay to laugh, because Uncle George was laughing most of all.
Next, they played pin-the-tale-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 mom, 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?”
“The store was out of the ones I really wanted,” said Molly slowly. “The ones with the fluffy pink bunnies on the toes.” She 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.
This time, the store did have the slippers Molly really wanted, and in a size that fit her!
“We would like to make an exchange, please,” said Uncle George.
“Have you worn these elephant slippers?” asked the store clerk.
“No,” answered Molly (for she had not).
“Do you have the receipt?” the clerk asked.
“We do!” Uncle George produced it triumphantly.
“Then we will be glad to make the exchange,” said the clerk, smiling.
This made Molly very happy.
Then, though, 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.”
Molly went over to him 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–the one 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.
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 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, “Pink Bunny Slippers for Molly,” is copyright Christina G. Waldman, 2020. This page is copyright 2020 by Christina and Eliza Waldman. All rights reserved. Last revised April 30, 2023. First posted April, 2020. Eliza teaches music lessons. https://www.ewmusicstudios.com/about.