The Power of Oranges

Silvia was sitting at the kitchen counter eating an orange. If you would have seen her then, you would have thought it was very normal, practically boring. But there was more to this picture. All of her people inside were happy. They all liked oranges.

Sometimes, they became very violent and got mad at one another. Sometimes they took sides and tried to gain control of the body. Sometimes one of the personalities would become stronger than the other 33 and take over for weeks. Everyone else seemed to fade away. But not at the moment. They were all different and very special. Silvia was never lonely.

Just then, Lil Silvia piped up. "Oh Mommy! Where are you? I can't wait to get all dressed up and go to the costume ball!"

"We know it, child. We know all your thoughts. We are all one. The Wise Ones will protect. Just listen, and look around you. You will feel our presence." This was spoken by many of the more mature voices. They blended into one as they comforted her.

"Hey c'mon y'all! We gotta get ready!"

Silvia got into her costume. She was dressed as Cleopatra. She grabbed her purse and the rest of the oranges. Some of them had insisted, because if they got into an argument in public it would look very strange! The oranges might calm them down. A couple of the Silvias seemed to have a few screws loose, after all.

As soon as she arrived at the costume ball, an unnerving gaze caught her eye. She was facing a woman in a very elaborate Medusa costume. Those cold eyes looked right through her. Perhaps Medusa had some sort of....powers. For a moment, Silvia stood frozen in place. Then a meek, shy Silvia mumbled, "Uh, excuse me." and faced another direction. When she looked around the room, everyone disappeared! Many of the Silvias gasped. Medusa's snakes started hissing. Then the room began to spin....

Silvia was tied up so she couldn't move.Where was she? Medusa was there. She placed a big bowl on a table. Silvia looked around and saw that she was in Egypt. She could see the pyramids way down the horizon.

"Mommy! I'm scared!"

"Don't worry, help will come."

Far off in the distance, she could see some people approaching. It gave her a little hope. But what did Medusa want with her? She looked over and saw her drawing out a large needle!

Medusa looked up and said "Oh goody! Those are the desert-dwelling villains with the silver faces. I am going to sell them your life force. Ha! Ha! Hold still, Silvia."

Off on the horizon, the giant mountains of stone slowly began to move. They could smell... ORANGES! The scent of oranges brought them to life. They would follow the scent. They gained strength and picked up speed. Silvia saw the pyramids gliding majestica lly across the sands towards her. She still had those oranges!

In a flash the p yramids were there. They spun around, faster and faster; stirring up the sand into the air. Silvia couldn't see a thing. The sandstorm only lasted a few minutes. When the air had cleared, the Silvias were as one, as Cleopatra was leading the pyramids to F IGHT Medusa and the evil villains with the silver iridescent faces! Their armies were crushed by the hundreds under the pyramids' weight and battered by their sharp points!

Silvia and the pyramids had a huge celebration when the battle was over. She had brought them to life and now she would rule their kingdom. They travelled down the Nile to a beautiful utopia of paradise. At their celebration they had duck with orange sauce, California Navel Oranges, orange juice, orange cupcakes, Mandarin Oranges, orange sherbert, orange soda....