The Boy Who Lived In Two Worlds

Once upon a time there was a boy named Byron who lived in two worlds -- one world they called WakeyWakey, and the other they called SleepyTime. Now most people live in WakeyWakey world and they like it that way, but there is something to be said for SleepyTime world too -- although most folks just don’t know much about what goes on there. Both worlds were every close to each other, and this is important, as you will see later. All kinds of exciting things go on in SleepyTime that don’t go on in WakeyWakey. But Holy Jumpin’s! The worst thing that can happen is that sometimes they get mixed up and things that should go on in WakeyWakey time go in SleepyTime and that can be a problem! A big problem!

One of the problems that Byron had, was to do with the waterworks. Since WakeyWakey and SleepyTime were so close together, they shared the same waterworks -- that’s the place where all the used water was stored from both worlds. He would make sure all the people in WakeyWakey got enough water during the day. He would collect the good water and give it to the townspeople who were thirsty, or needed it for other things, and then get rid of the water that they had used during the day. He was great at this part of the job, and proud of it. He would collect all the used water in a big holding tank, and if it got full during the day he would make sure he emptied it all in the right place.

The trouble started when he went to SleepyTime. Now you can imagine, I think, that most of the people in SleepyTime were -- well -- asleep! They didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to what was going on around them. Although they were asleep they were also very busy with something they called ‘dreaming’. Dreaming was so nice it took all of their attention away from other things that really needed doing, like emptying the water tank when it was full. Although Byron knew it was his job to do this -- he just got so caught up with dreaming that he would forget. What happened as a result was hard to take lying down! The water would leak out of the holding tank, and flood parts of the WakeyWakey world. When Byron went to WakeyWakey the next day, the people said, "Look! The people from SleepyTime let all the used water leak into WakeyWakey." They were very unhappy, and Byron felt bad, because he really liked to please people and do his job. What could he do?

Well, my friends, the answer came sooner than expected. That very night when Byron was in SleepyTime he had a visit from a very special person. No sooner was Byron asleep, when he heard a strange sound, "Clang-a-bang! Clang-a-bang!" it went. He strained to see who or what could be making such a noise in SleepyTime. Then, in the darkness, slowly he began to make out the figure of a big man clad in shining armor! "Who are you?" quivered Byron, for he was a little afraid. "Do not be afraid my friend -- I am here to help you solve your water problem now. My name is Aqualung and for many timeless times I have helped those like yourself. Now listen carefully and do everything I say."

Byron was a little offended, but because Aqualung’s voice was so clear and kind he decided to listen. "The people in WakeyWakey drink alot, wash alot and bathe alot, and so they should for they are different than SleepyTime folks. They need lots of water, and you store it for them well, and you know exactly when to empty the tank, don’t you?" Byron nodded. "Well," continued Aqualung, "When you are in SleepyTime, I want you to know that most of the time you don’t have to empty the tank at all! Even if it gets really full I will come and tell you, so that you can go to WakeyWakey to empty it in the proper place. Then you can go back to SleepyTime and keep dreaming!" Byron was thrilled because he always thought he had to empty the tank at night, just like he did during the day.

"But how will I know you are coming at just the right time?" he asked of Aqualung. "Well," replied Aqualung, "as time goes on, if the tank gets really full, you will hear the "Clang! Clang!" of my armor, as I come out of the deep lake. Then you will know to go to WakeyWakey and empty the tank. But this much I will say -- most of the time you can wait until morning can’t you?" Byron nodded -- he wasn’t quite sure why, but somehow he had a great trust in Aqualung, even though he had only just met him. Then, just as quickly as he had appeared Aqualung slipped into the dark night.

Sure enough the very next night, even though he was dreaming away and having a great time, he went to WakeyWakey at daybreak and discovered to his delight that all the water had remained in the holding tank overnight! And he just emptied the tank as soon as he got to WakeyWakey. More nights passed and the same thing happened. All the townspeople were happy, and so was Byron. Then, one night, in the Summer, when the folks in WakeyWakey had used more water than usual and Byron was in SleepyTime, he heard a loud "Clang-a-Bang! Clang-a-Bang!" He looked up and saw Aqualung coming out of the deep lake. He was so pleasantly surprised he just got up and went to WakeyWakey and emptied the tank, and then went back to SleepyTime.

The next day when he went to WakeyWakey he was delighted to find the tank was almost empty, and there was no flood! Just imagine, by putting his trust in Aqualung he had been able to keep the water in the tank. Even when it got full, true to his word, Aqualung had warned him of the danger. After that, there was a big celebration in both WakeyWakey and SleepyTime. Byron got to celebrate in both worlds, and everyone was happy after that. Byron was named the Chief Water Engineer -- and he liked that a lot.

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