World Literacy of Canada

"Matt Cruse and ….. The 457s?"

Matt decided he should look around for people who could help him.   That’s when he saw them, standing frozen solid.  Eyes wide with shock and fear. Matt was speechless, but what co8ld he say to a bunch of purple, monster-like things? He looked around a little bit but none of them flinched.  Matt thought of running away and going back to his safe ship, but they were closing in around him.

After a few long minutes of uncomfortable silence an old man stepped out of the crowd and said “Umm, welcome … stranger?”

It took Matt a second too late to reply, he choked “Uh … thanks I’m uh … Matt, Matt Cruse.  And you are … ?

“Gorke, I am one of the 457s you see here. What are you?”

Matt was still considering the runaway idea, but he replied.  “Human.”

“Human?”  Gorke repeated.  “Ah yes, you live on the blue, green planet.”

“Yes” replied Matt wondering what Gorke was thinking underneath his unreadable expression.

“Well then, follow me.”  Gorke said, flashing the whitest teeth Matt has ever seen.

Matt soon noticed that these “457s” were very kind and welcoming.  Once Matt knew he could trust them, he told them all about his crash landing and that he would need help if he was going to get back home.  They agreed immediately and promised they could get him back home in no time!  Matt showed them his ship.  They looked around writing things down and whispering to each other.

After a few long moments Gorke told Matt “I guess I was wrong, this is going to take longer than I thought.”  Matt just nodded, understanding.  Gorke continued talking but this time to another 457.

He yelled “FORKE?  Where’s Forke?  FORKE?!”

“Right here dad!”  Yelled a voice so sweet and fragile it seemed almost as if you could break it.  “I’m over here!”

The voice came from a girl around Matt’s age.  He spotted her on the other side of the crowd, but in less than a split second she was by Gorke’s side.

“What do you need me to do?”  She asked, glimpsing at Matt as he stared at her in disbelief.  She was just too gorgeous.

“I need you to run over to Saturn and go to Uncle Borke’s house.  He lives on 40102 Orke Ring, just left to Grandma Shorke.”

“I know, I know dad you send me over there all the time for Orkies.”

“I know just making sure.  Ask for the human spaceship package, Borke will know what I’m talking about.”

“Okay be back in a flash”  She said winking at Matt.  “Oh and dad about me and Earth … “

“We’ll talk about it later, and besides it’s his decision.”

“Fine.”  she mumbled.  Winking once at Matt, then she was gone.

Matt woke up from his dream lying on a couch which he has no memory of falling asleep on.

Gorke was watching him and said excitedly “Ah good you’re up, we have a surprise for you!!!”  Gorke jumped up out of his chair and ran out the door.

Matt followed him out, yawning and scratching his eyes.  When he could finally see well enough, he looked around and saw his spaceship up and running in perfect condition.  All the 457s were standing around it looking very proud and satisfied.

Matt smiled a great, big smile and they all yelled “YOU’RE WELCOME!”

When Matt’s spaceship was just about ready to take off he saw Gorke in tears and Forke trying to cheer him up.  He went over to them and started crying as well. He blurted out “I’m going to miss you guys.”

“Not me”  Forke said, happier now.  Matt looked at her puzzled.  “I was kind of wondering if I could go with you to Earth.”

Matt agreed immediately and after a few minutes he took a deep breath and confessed “I love you Forke, I know we just met and you don’t really have time to adjust to the idea but … “  he gulped “will you be my bride?”

Forke was just as shocked as Gorke was.  They exchanged looks and she thought for a moment and whispered “yes.”

They got married in a rose garden with millions of 457s watching them, just the way they wanted.  And at the end of the reception Forke flashed Matt the brightest, prettiest smile in the whole world, err …. Universe.

Angela Hooksenson is from Lampman, Saskatchewan