10-Q Baba Yaga

The smallest one wanders into the book witch's dungeon. Pike is four years old. "What are you eating," he inquires smiling broadly. "Candy pumpkins," the witch cackles through her slightly orange teeth.

He wanders far not only for himself but for others through a realm, where cats sometimes outsmart people and the large people are always keeping an eye out for tender little morsels in order to stop goings on that seem perfectly fun. He arrives to this place where books randomly fall in piles stacked to the sky and hot cappuccino bubbles in the largest cup anyone has ever seen. He comes for himself and for others and because there is something he remembers... pumpkins... and something he forgets... the witch is working.

"Jay and PB like those," he said. The witch remembers another time when this little being relishes the candy pumpkins so fully that the drool is orange in an amazingly large display all over the front of his shirt. The little Pike continues to give her the biggest, loving smile, the smallest and boldest person in this particular corner of the realm. She hands him the bag rather than cook him back into a nice cup of original coffee.

There is another journey to make and little Pike says "10-Q" to the witch and takes his bag. He looks at the long way back to where he came. It is never so easy! At that very moment of viewing the path the witch's mother swoops down and takes the bag from him, also apparently remembering the orange t-shirt. "No! No! THE PUMPKINS! What about Jay and PB!" he cries out to the Great Mother. She tells him the rules of the taller beings as little Pike hops up and down very high and fast with his pleas. "You can each have two and you have to wear a bib!" the Great Mother announces from above. Little Pike quickly agrees and receives his great treasure of a candy pumpkin bag back, and continuing on his great journey.

Pike arrives to his destination, a small hero no worse for wear but wearing a bib. (Wearing a bib is apparently a great sacrifice when you are four.) The smallest little candy man in this area of the realm really does joyfully hand out two pumpkins to each child, all of whom are significantly larger than himself. They all thank him for his journey not quite comprehending what he has gone through to deliver these gifts but rewarding him with their pleasure. Pike is the big man today and even looks taller for the difficult journey and smiles as brightly as the sun at everyone eating pumpkins. I even see an old man in his place for a second.

And the witch with the slightly orange teeth and the cat we suspect may really be very smart says to you.... 10-Q for Everything.

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For a more accurate retelling and great edition of the Baba Yaga tale click here!
BABA YAGA AND OUR SACRED LONGING taken from "After the Ecstasy, the Laundry" by Jack Kornfield