Hanna moped about her room complaining, "Nothing to do."

With all the toys and books that wasn't really true

She wanted attention because she was bored

And her pout grew larger over being ignored

She clumped down the stairs so they'd hear her come

And into the kitchen with dad and mom

"Hey, Hanna, what's wrong? Why so blue?"

"It's just not fair, there's nothing to do."

"Well c'mon over here, your mom made a treat.

A deep fried corn dog for you to eat."

For a moment she was happy but it didn't last long

"Hanna honey, tell dad what's wrong."

"There's nothing to do, nothing at all.

What did you do when you were small?"

Dad smiled. "I did lots of things. Different things every day."

"Like what? What did you play?"

He thought about what might just excite her,

something like a spark from his Zippo lighter.

"Well, we had a big radio when I was your age

And listening to stories was all the rage.

I'd get down real close, perched on my fanny

And thrill to the adventures of Orphan Annie."

"Who?"

"Orphan Annie and her dog Sandy.

And if you were a member you had a secret thing;

An Orphan Annie Decoder Ring!"

"Do you still have it?"

"I do, and I'll send a secret message to you."

********

Hanna read her message aloud after using dad's ring

and learned a very important thing

It read, 'The best place to find something to do

is in something you always have with you . . .

Your imagination.'