It's here again, that magical time of year when spirits are high and everyone is giddy with joy. Shops have closed early, everything's packed, and now it's time for anxious kiddies to hustle off to bed, sleepless in anticipation of the morrow's festivities.
"But how did it all begin, Daddy?"
Once upon a time, there were two roommates in college. We'll call them "Jeve" and "Stimmy". Jeve and Stimmy did everything together, dressed alike, and were so close they even chose the same profession. Both having completed their college, they wandered back to their home towns to establish their practices and gain their fortunes as best they could.
But they never forgot one another. Often Jeve would stare at a full moon and wonder if, at that exact same moment, Stimmy might be looking at the same moon, wondering if Jeve was looking at it too...
After a time the two friends were joined again, and vowed to never again be separated. They began to arrange different excuses to meet, to get away together as often as possible. But what would a good cover story be? Athletics!
But what to do? Jeve hated golf. Stimmy was no good at bowling. Jeve could cycle, Stimmy could run... was there some way to meet in the middle? How about triathlon?
Ever the adventurers, they set their goals high. Discovering a particular race with a particular reputation for savagery, both masters of daring-do quickly signed up. And they trained. And since it was a particularly difficult event, they trained a lot. Together.
Then, the unthinkable. The event was cancelled.
Since both friends were honed to a razor-sharp edge, and since they still enjoyed their time together, they decided to run their own even, just the two of them, and set the distances to similar lengths to the cancelled event. And they ran it. And it was good.
The next year they decided they shared enough love for more than themselves, so they invited some friends - a few. And lo and behold, they too loved it.
Year by year it grew, and piece by piece, and with every retelling, the legend grew more. It became so big it gained the notice of a wood nymph, who was so swayed by the camaraderie, she declared, "I have observed your doings, and I find them well. Hearty souls you are, and so you shall bear a common seal. Each year, I will weave a special garment, worn only by those who complete the tasks. It shall bear all the colors of the rainbow, symbolic of the completeness of your training and friendship." And so it was.
The rest is now legend. It's a tradition throughout the land to observe this universal holiday on the third Sunday in June, to exchange gifts, and for the lucky boy or girl who has been especially good, perhaps a pair of cycling gloves or a swim cap will be found under the pillow.
Sleep tight, kiddies. Tomorrow is the day!
"But how did it all begin, Daddy?"
Once upon a time, there were two roommates in college. We'll call them "Jeve" and "Stimmy". Jeve and Stimmy did everything together, dressed alike, and were so close they even chose the same profession. Both having completed their college, they wandered back to their home towns to establish their practices and gain their fortunes as best they could.
But they never forgot one another. Often Jeve would stare at a full moon and wonder if, at that exact same moment, Stimmy might be looking at the same moon, wondering if Jeve was looking at it too...
After a time the two friends were joined again, and vowed to never again be separated. They began to arrange different excuses to meet, to get away together as often as possible. But what would a good cover story be? Athletics!
But what to do? Jeve hated golf. Stimmy was no good at bowling. Jeve could cycle, Stimmy could run... was there some way to meet in the middle? How about triathlon?
Ever the adventurers, they set their goals high. Discovering a particular race with a particular reputation for savagery, both masters of daring-do quickly signed up. And they trained. And since it was a particularly difficult event, they trained a lot. Together.
Then, the unthinkable. The event was cancelled.
Since both friends were honed to a razor-sharp edge, and since they still enjoyed their time together, they decided to run their own even, just the two of them, and set the distances to similar lengths to the cancelled event. And they ran it. And it was good.
The next year they decided they shared enough love for more than themselves, so they invited some friends - a few. And lo and behold, they too loved it.
Year by year it grew, and piece by piece, and with every retelling, the legend grew more. It became so big it gained the notice of a wood nymph, who was so swayed by the camaraderie, she declared, "I have observed your doings, and I find them well. Hearty souls you are, and so you shall bear a common seal. Each year, I will weave a special garment, worn only by those who complete the tasks. It shall bear all the colors of the rainbow, symbolic of the completeness of your training and friendship." And so it was.
The rest is now legend. It's a tradition throughout the land to observe this universal holiday on the third Sunday in June, to exchange gifts, and for the lucky boy or girl who has been especially good, perhaps a pair of cycling gloves or a swim cap will be found under the pillow.
Sleep tight, kiddies. Tomorrow is the day!
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