Soldier of Fortune from the War on Nutshells

When I came home this afternoon, I was greeted by a very cheerful Daniel, who was brandishing his newest acquisition from a shopping trip with Mommy: a nutcracker. After months of anticipation and fantasy, he finally got his nutcracker, along the lines of the awful Tchaikovsky ballet, but this one had a uniquely Daniellian twist: It was a nutcracker, with the face of Onkel Drosselmeyer's evil and extremely fragile gift to Fritz und Klara - the aquiline nose, the sinister mustachio, the creepy eyes, etc. - but, unlike the wimpy British Regular of children's lore, this one was up to date - a soldier in army fatigues, clutching an American flag. Yes, this was the Nutcracker of Operation Enduring Desert. Of course, Daniel hasn't put it down all afternoon.

In fact, Daniel remarked to me later this afternoon that he doesn't really play much any more. This prospect shocked me, especially since the lad is only five, so I followed up, seeking more information. Then Daniel told me that at this point, he's only interested in one thing. I shuddered as I asked, and yet the answer was perfect. The one thing that continues to interest Daniel is The Nutcracker.

(October 23, 2011)