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!”_