The Gingerbread Man

Here is what comes and goes,

Twist and turn
In any other way, sideways,
Riddle and tale.

What Would Happen If The Gingerbread Man Did Not Walk Away?

The fairly kind parents keeps their little young gingerbread boy home. We all knew this
story before – The Gingerbread Man. But what would happen if the gingerbread man did
not actually ran away?

Let’s start with a fine evening. Everybody heads on their plates. Try to imagine the
gingerbread boy eating. He was literally on his plate, eating food larger than him like
vegetables. But hey, no-no. He’s not like that. He ate grains of sugar.

His parents were so kind. They would watch the gingerbread boy until he closes his eyes.
They named him Cleo, and he was a fine boy. He always do what he’s been told. Does
this. Does that. Hizzo is Cleo’s father, known for power and applause.

Cleo never lived a simple life. In fact. He loved his life, the world, and everything else
except love itself.

“ Hand me all your wants, ask whatever you like. And tomorrow, I will give it all to you.”
Cleo said to his friends, Jaka and Leeko.

“I want nothing, but you, me, and Leeko in my birthday next week,” Jaka said.

“How about you?” Cleo asked Leeko.

“My only wish is hers to be granted.” “Cleo, nothing more, nothing less.” He added

Cleo wandered his mind along every bridge and sighed, “ Okay, I will come. Next week.
You, me, and Leeko.”

When that day came, Cleo went to Jaka’s birthday. With presents. Bouquets. And
mascots. He hired the most prominent restaurant for the catering and wear all glitter.
Finally, he knocked the door.

“ Who’s there?”

“Guess who?”
Bothered much, Jaka opened the door with all excitements of curiosity. Much of a
present. She opened the door. There was Cleo. The whole town. The bouquets. The
mascots. Cleo began to drew an eddy of question marks on his face and Jaka answered a
hurricane of it. Iced up. A blank stare emerged at their eyes. Lightning as if electrified.
Joy as if astonished. Excitement as if dismayed. Surprised as if shocked.

Leeko, standing 5 blocks away from Jaka’s house, also didn’t know what to do. He just
stared and walked to Cleo.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. From the moment I went here, everybody just stared. Frozen! (Am I
handsome or what?)”

“Go away.”

“Why?”

“Just go away Cleo!”

“I don’t want you, and the whole town here!”

“But why?”

As early as unexpected, Cleo’s night ended so soon. When he saw his mother, he wanted
to talk to her. He wanted to tell what he feels. But she was busy. He wanted to talk to his
father. But he’s not home.

All night, Cleo’s thoughts withered in every garden. As if he felt like he has chains in his
arms. He has the keys. But he can’t open it. The next morning, he still cannot unlock the
chains. The next day came. Who helped him unlock the chains?

Cleo opened his arms wide open. Watched the sky. Counted the stars.

“I wonder how many stars are there up above.

How could their light be seen here if they’re so far away?
Nobody listens. Nobody cares. I’m the richest and most handsome boy in town. The most
popular – Cleo.”

“Hey, river! See the glimmer in my face? I’m all odds. Everything a girl wants. I’m all
big guy! Am I?”

And as he painted the rain, all of a sudden, shrills called him back to his house. Nobody
was there. Just him and… nothing. Before Cleo, stood a letter, told him that his father
was arrested. So he went to the police station, but nobody was there. Again, a letter stood
before him:
“Cleo, man of virtue,
Walk to the palace where one finds his home
Reach every star that you’ll see in the sky,
Walk the road and head back with your chains.”

“Cleo, man of peace,

Bring yourself somewhere you should be
Try to look at the mirror and flap your wings
Fly the land and walk the sky.
Reach the stones. Never throw.”

Cleo, amazed, began to run to the forest and to the river. He saw a man named Infinito, a
man of virtue. Asked for help, and was helped. Infinito bought him to the palace, and saw
a lot of expensive things than what he has. Brought him near the sun and almost died.
They even tried walking the death march. Which eventually, they weren’t able to finish.

Infinito, man of silence, speaks the most. Cleo, a child of himself, utters his doors. At one
night open, Cleo watched over the stars again, counted, and wished.

“Lord, God of all. Please bring me home. Unlock the chains. Open the door.”

All of a sudden, Infinito visits him. And he cuts of his silence.

“Cleo, do you believe in magic?”

“What is magic?”

“Something… powerful. Unexplainable. Powerful!”

“What do you mean?”

“See the stars? See the sky? The moon? The land? Trees grow, but they fall down.
Flowers bloom, but they wither. Man is alive, but he dies. Some people breathe as if
living. But sickly they are. Paled core. Paint it a rainbow. Paint it something that won’t
fade. I see you are finding dreamland. Reach the stars. Name them your heart. Believe.”

Cleo sighed and did not make any word. Reached the house. Found himself. His arms,
light. Kind and kind. He was unable to find his dad. His mother passed away. Left him.
And all their properties.

From o-little-he came out a man who stands out. Years after his mother passed away,
Cleo became a king. Who would always speak of love. Of his dreams. Of his kingdom.
Married a pretty cookie. Had no children. Lived life to the fullest.

THE END!