The Letter R and the Number 4 bumped into each other in front of the same box in a crossword puzzle.
The Letter R wanted to get into the box.
But the Number 4 would only let the correct letter into the box.
“Arr! I’m the letter R and I’m the rowdiest letter of all. This box is super-duper perfect for me. I’m jumping right in!”
But the Number 4 was not willing to let things get out of order.
“I’m the Number 4 and I’m guarding this box, because this box is the fourth box. Only if you are the fourth letter in the word I will let you in.”
“Well… the word is ‘FOUR’ and I’m the Letter R, so spell ‘FOUR’ and see if I’m at the right box.”
“I’m… I’m… I’m… a Number. I can’t spell.”
“How sad… Now, can you move aside so I can get into the box?”
But the Number 4 did not move.
The Number 4 did not let things get out of order.
“If you spell ‘FOUR’ then you ‘ll see if you are the fourth letter.”
“Only then I will let you in.”
“I’m a Letter. I don’t do counting.”
“And I’m a Number. I can count but I can’t spell.”
“Arrr! If you knew how to spell ‘FOUR’, then we wouldn’t be sitting here forever!”
“FOUR”
“F…”
“O…”
“U…”
“Arr!”
“Well, I like sitting here. I like counting over and over. It’s quite soothing…”
“1”
“2”
“3”
“4”
“Arr! Arr! Arr!” yelled the Letter R in frustration.
“F..”
“O…”
“U…”
“Arrr!”
“1”
“2”
“3”
“4”
And suddenly…
The Number 4 had an idea.
“How about you spell ‘FOUR’ and I count at the same time?”
“I ‘ll stop counting when you say ‘R’.”
So the Letter R said, “OK. Let’s start.”
“F…”
“…1”
“O…”
“…2”
“U…”
“…3”
“R…”
“…4”
“Arrr! So I am the fourth letter in the word ‘FOUR’ after all!”
“I believe this is correct,” said the Number 4.
“Arrr! Arrr! The box is mine!” said the Letter R and jumped inside the box.
“This is the greatest box ever.”
“Too bad you’ll never have a box of your own, Number 4.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“How about you look OUTSIDE the box?”
“That’s good.”
“A bit more…”
“Very good”
“Just a tiny bit more…”
THE END
