My brother doesn’t want to play.

He’s on his computer every day!

He said, “It can research, buy merch, and even sing.

My computer can do just about anything.”

I stomped my foot and said, “I can do all that too! Let me try then, I would be anything for you!”

“I don’t think there’s very much that you can do.

You’re no computer, you’re human through and through.”

__

__ “I could be a cat or a dog. Or maybe even a hedgehog!”

“You could not be a cat or a dog.

You could not even be a rat or a frog.__

There’s not really all that much that you can do.__

You’re no computer, you’re human through and through.”

__

__ “I could be a princess or a knight. That would be a brilliant delight!”

“You could not be a princess or a knight.

You aren’t prim or proper, and you can’t fight!

Really, you don’t have many things you can do.

You’re no computer, you’re human through and through.”

__

__ In that moment, my mind hit the floor. I couldn’t think of anything more. “I’ve named everything, so hear my plea! Who in the world do you want me to be?”

He laughed to himself, like it was a joke. A mere brotherly tease. And then, he spoke.

“It’s okay, really, put your woes on the shelf.

The only thing I want you to be is yourself.__

You could not be a cat or a dog.

You could not even be a rat or a frog.

You could not be a princess or a knight.

You aren’t prim or proper, and you can’t fight!

__

Sure, there may not be very much that you can do.

But you’ll always be my sibling, and I’m happy you’re you.”

__

__

I smiled really brightly, as bright as the sun that day.

Then he grinned and finally said, ”Okay, let’s play!”