The Negative Gnats

I know a little princess that lived in a second-story apartment with a houseful of people and many things to do. Some of the things were fun, like reading books and having tea parties and playing with her friends. But that only happened on special occasions, like her birthday. And when her birthday was over, things were not fun at at. At least that was what the princess thought when she woke up after her birthday and realized that life had to go on “as usual.”

“Bother!” said the little princess, trying to pull on her new pink glove. “This day is horrible already!”

“Not if you act like a princess,” said her old auntie. “Come and let me do your hair.”

But the little princess didn’t feel like being a princess. She felt grouchy and out of sorts.

“It’s terrible!” she said, when it was time to help in the kitchen. “Brother is just going to make trouble and mess everything up today!” And her eyes filled with tears.

“Hi, Sissy!” said her little brother, coming into the room. The little princess only glared at him.

“I know what is the problem,” said her old auntie. “There are negative gnats buzzing in your head today. How will you get them out?”

“I don’t know!” said the little princess with a sob. “I hate to work and work is all I have to do!”

“All you do?” asked her old auntie.

“Are you sure?” asked her tall daddy.

“I’m working, too,” said her young auntie. “It won’t take long to get our chores done.”

“It will take forever!” said the little princess, and she pouted so big that the old auntie’s fingers could walk across her lower lip.

“Would you like to trade jobs?” asked her tall daddy.

“Yes!” said the little princess.

But she didn’t want to trade with the young auntie, because she was washing dishes and vacuuming the floor.

And she didn’t want to trade with the old auntie, because she always was working.

And she didn’t want to trade with her tall daddy, because he was working, too!

She wanted to trade with her gentle mommy, because she mostly sat in the nursery. It would be fun to hold a baby for awhile.

“Not now,” said her gentle mommy. “You must take care of your own work first.”

The little princess frowned. It didn’t seem fair! What the little princess needed to learn was that they all worked because they were part of a kingdom. And the secret rule of the kingdom was that they were all happy because they were serving each other. But instead she complained.

And so the day went, quite miserable indeed. The negative gnats became so horrible that the little princess was covered with itchy bites and all she could do was moan and groan. It was terrible! What else could she do when the gnats were so annoying? The little princess went to bed without an answer. I think it was because she didn’t look for one. She just felt miserable.

The next day the little princess awoke feeling more cheerful. When her brother wanted to play with cars, she said, “Sure!” and they had a fun game. But after a bit it was time to work again and suddenly the itches started up. It wasn’t as bad as the day before, but it still was bothersome.

“I don’t feel like working,” the little princess thought, when she heard the old auntie call her from the kitchen. So she dragged her feet and went very slowly.

“I’ve been thinking about those negative gnats,” said auntie with a smile, “and I think I know how to get rid of them!”

The little princess frowned. “How?” she said.

“Use a repellent!” said the old auntie. And she told the little princess how negative gnats like it best in stormy selfish weather. And the more they swarm around someone, the worse trouble they cause. “But there are some very good repellents that they don’t like at all,” she said with a wise nod.

“What are they?” asked the little princess, getting a bit interested.

“Well, one is called ‘willing to help’ and another is ‘joyful sunshine.’”

Just then the little princess remembered a repellent that her tall daddy had given her once. “I think I will try ‘obedience,’” she said.

“That should work very well,” the old auntie agreed. “Let us just see how those negative gnats react to cheerful obedience! It is time to set the table now.”

“Okay,” said the princess, and she hurried to her work. And it really didn’t seem that hard after all.

“You have forgotten a bowl and cup for your brother,” said her tall daddy when he sat down.

“But I have something else to do,” the little princess said, slipping around the corner.

“Oh dear, I think some gnats are coming close. Where is your obedience repellent?” the old aunt asked.

“If you can’t get rid of them yourself, perhaps I will have to help,” said her tall daddy.

“Oh, no! I wouldn’t like that,” said the little princess.

“He is your protector, after all,” reminded the old aunt. “He doesn’t want the negative gnats to eat you up.”

The little princess stood still for a moment, then she ran to obey her daddy. “Bad little gnats,” she said. “Today you will have to go away!”

“As long as you keep that repellent on, I think they will,” said the old aunt. And she was right, wasn’t she?

“Yes!” said the little princess later that morning. “Those little selfish gnats must be real mad when sprayed with the repellent. I want to be obedient AND helpful AND cheerful today! Those are three repellents. Three at once! I hope my tall Daddy does not have to help!”

And because she wanted to, the little princess was beginning to learn the secret of the kingdom. I hope she finds the great King’s key to happiness soon. Then she can keep the negative gnats away always!

And that is how the story ends… for now, because the little princess is still making choices!