Chapter 2: Based on Real Events

Dear Himala,

You were up early this morning! I think it was around 5:30 when you woke me up. You sounded hungry, so I put you in your high chair and pulled out some animal crackers for you.

While you ate your breakfast, I ate mine – more of the fruitcake. I was still eating after you had finished, so I let you out of the high chair and continued to eat. It seemed like a good idea…

…until I found you splashing around in the toilet. Oh, my silly little Miracle! I took you out of there so I could take a quick shower. Partway through I heard you crying. Your cries seemed to echo a thousand times over! Oh, they pierced my soul. I got out as quick as I could and decided you needed a bath right away.

Almost as soon as you got into the tub, you tried to eat your rubber duckie. I took that away from you very quickly, of course. You are a silly girl, Mala. Aside from that, you did fine in the bathtub. You even seemed happy. Do you have happy memories of swimming? By the time you read these letters, I’ll probably have the answer to that question. I tried asking you, but the only response I got was “noyoosa sobi!” which I couldn’t understand.

Once you were clean, we played with the little dollhouse I bought for you for a bit. You said things like, “bizaabgotojo jisontso-jisu A!” and “A daspayodikeli…” that I couldn’t understand. Oh, Mala, I can’t wait until we speak the same language!

I went back inside to paint some more – I have to make money somehow – but you stayed outside on the porch. You seemed to be dancing and listening intently. What do you hear, O Miracle-child, that I cannot?

When I finally finished my painting and checked on you once more, you had somehow gotten a hold of ketchup and flour, and you were sprinkling them all over the porch. It looked sort of pretty, but I had to clean it up. You simply stood by, watching me with this adorable little grin on your face.

I decided we should continue with your “English lessons,” as I like to call them. Not teaching you to speak – you already know how to speak – but teaching you how to speak English. You told me a story about a “bwoo-bud” (bluebird?) that managed to escape when its nest fell. Its parents were killed, but it was rescued by a “hummi-buh” (hummingbird?) that treated it as if it were its own. Were you the bluebird? Was I the hummingbird? I think so, but I’m not sure.

You were sad when the story ended, as it you wanted to tell more of it, but there wasn’t more to tell – or at least, that’s what I think, based on my you-were-the-bluebird-and-I-was-the-hummingbird theory. I told you a story about a single mother and her adopted daughter who lived happily ever after. You seemed to like it. (It was based on us, by the way.)

At this point, you were getting pretty tired, so I took you inside and read you a story until you went to sleep. I think I heard you say “I wuv yoo bizaabgotojo…” as you drifted off, but it was very quiet. I definitely heard the “bizaabgotojo” part, whatever that means.

It’s about time for me to go to bed now. Goodnight, Mala, my little Miracle. Sleep tight, and sweet dreams.

Love,

Evelyn

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Side-note: When I loaded up the game to start taking screenshots, this happened:

I ended up having to move it several times, but eventually it fixed itself. At least we got to see the Incredible Floating Car.

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Translation of Himala’s Vingihoplo:

Noyoosa sobi! – Literally, “to swim good!” Swimming is good!

Bizaabgotojo jisontso-jisu A! – Literally, “care-giver cook-eat he/she/it!” Parent cooks, he/she (the doll) eats!

A daspayodikeli… – He/she/it (the doll) sleeps…