As Different as Night and Day
by Sherry (Groovy) Grunder
Fran and Nan got into the van with Mamma and went to the store.
“They’re so cute!” gushed the cashier, “Are they twins?”
“Twins?” asked Mamma. “Oh my goodness, no!”
“But they’re just alike!” insisted the cashier. “They’re close to the same size and both have brown hair, sparkling eyes and mischievous smiles.”
“You’re mistaken!” Mamma replied, “They’re as different as night and day! Fran is six; Nan is four. Fran is slender; Nan is plump. Fran is pale; Nan is tanned. They’re most definitely not twins!”
*******************
The next day Fran and Nan got into the van with Mamma. They drove to the playground.
“What precious little girls!” said a grammy nearby. “Are they twins?”
“Twins?” asked Mamma. “Certainly not!”
“But they’re just alike.” The grammy explained. “Both have freckles, both giggle most delightfully, and both run like the wind.”
“I’m afraid you’re confused!” Mamma replied, “They’re as different as peas and carrots! Fran loves to swing; Nan would rather slide. Fran skips; Nan gallops. Fran climbs the monkey bars; Nan keeps her feet firmly on the ground. They’re most assuredly NOT twins!”
********************
The following day Fran and Nan got in the van with Mamma. They cruised to the post office to mail a package.
“What adorable young ladies!” exclaimed the postman. “Are they twins?”
“Twins?” Mamma asked “Absolutely NOT!”
“But they’re so much alike!” continued the postman. “They both like to hum while they’re waiting, both have ballerina sneakers and both smile shyly at the other people in line.”
“You’re quite wrong!” Mamma said, “They’re as different as rain and sunshine! Fran is talkative; Nan is quiet and thoughtful. Fran is impatient; Nan could wait all day. Fran is very silly; Nan takes life seriously. They’re OBVIOUSLY NOT twins!”
********************
That evening, Fran and Nan got into the van with Mamma. They rode to Pizza Palace for lunch.
“What sweet little girls.” said the waitress. “Are they twins?”
“Twins? she gasped. “NO, they’re NOT twins!! Why does EVERYBODY think they’re twins?
“Well,” continued the waitress, timidly. “They are both so sweet and cute and precious and adorable...”
Mamma’s lips were pressed together. “You’re right,” she said. “Fran and Nan are sweet and cute and precious and adorable, but they are NOT twins! They’re as different as night and day! They’re as different as peas and carrots! They’re as different as sunshine and rain! THEY ARE MOST DEFINITELY, ASSUREDLY, AND OBVIOUSLY NOT TWINS!”
*********************
“Mamma!” said Fran.
“Mamma?” said Nan.
Mamma looked at her two little girls.
Fran began, “Nan and I ARE as different as night and day.”
“We ARE as different as peas and carrots.” continued Nan.
“And we ARE as different as rain and sunshine!” they said together.
“But we’re both hungry, and we BOTH want pizza!” they shouted.
Mamma smiled. “It’s true that you’re not twins, but in many ways you ARE alike. Waitress? Pizza please!”
“What kind?” she asked.
“Pepperoni!” cried Fran
“Mushroom!” insisted Nan.
Mamma just laughed.
