The Tale of the Three Amigos

‘Though she be but little she is fierce’ William Shakespeare

One day many, many years (too many to mention in fact) like a million other children that day a tiny little baby was born 4 weeks early (first time for everything) weighing just 4lb 5oz. She had tiny little hands, a tiny little body and a little bottom as round as a peach and although we couldn’t tell from that moment, she had one of the most determined minds you will ever meet.

It was on that same very day that three other friends also found a themselves together a connection of three unlikely friends whom we’ll call the ‘Three Amigos’ their names were Brain, Body and Bottom. They don’t really know how they got together they just always knew they had been connected in some-way to this tiny little human.

As Brain, Bottom and Body grew they became the best of friends. They were inseparable, where one would go the other two would follow (usually Bottom being dragged along last). Brain was the serious one she often learnt things first while Body was the tough one and learnt things the hard way, often by trial and error. Bottom sometimes lacked a bit of motivation butt was always there when Brain and Body needed picking up. As they got older, they learnt so many different things about each other. Like how Brain could count to ten, and pat her head and rub her tummy at the same time (with a little bit of help the help from Body of course). Body liked most sports despite being vertically challenged. She had the ability to run and also swim lengths upon lengths as far as her little legs would take her. Bottom on the other hand well she could play an amazing tune on her bottom trumpet which made Body shake uncontrollably and Brain go slightly red with embarrassment. She also had this great ability to get rid of any poop weighing her down making them all slightly lighter and happier in the process.

The Wonder Years

As the three grew older they noticed bumps and lumps they hadn’t been aware of before. Body was more aware of this then any of the others and would often hide from embarrassment. She noticed she didn’t have long legs like the other bodies not to mention her wobbly bits and uncontrollable scraggy curly hair. She couldn’t help feel like she didn’t belong.

But then Brain pointed out her amazing strength she had despite being pretty small. She also reminded her of how she was good at most sports she turned her hand to. To which she replied but that’s because you’re always pushing me through and supporting me when I need it. Bottom also reminded her that there where lots of different bodies all different shapes and sizes. Some had bits missing or not working but found ways to work around this Bottom admired these other bodies the most. It just felt like that whatever the situation there was always rational behind it and the three friends would always be happy as long as they were together.

Then the teenager years hit them (and their parents) pretty hard. Suddenly the three who had always got along would often be found fighting. There was a lot of shouting, screaming and banging of doors during those years (it was something to do with hormones Brain said). Then they all discovered this thing the called giggle juice. This was a complete game changer Body would be often seen wandering quite unaware, banging into things. Bottom would be either on her arse on the dance floor or found either in the toilets not knowing what end the aftermath of this giggle juice would come out of. Brain however thought she knew best. Being head strong she would either be in the toilets arguing with herself in the mirror or doing things she would more than likely regret doing or saying in the day after.

The Serious Years

Then one day it was like a train had suddenly hit all three of them. There they were with these things they called jobs. Brain much to everyone’s amazement ended up buying a house all by her self she had knuckled down at school to study maybe with a few giggle induced nights and parties in between. She had met another body and was very happy together. They managed to have not 1 but 2 perfect children (this story is a story that’s for another time as it involves the birds and bees and maybe a stork). Brain knew that this in itself was a privilege but would be the most challenging and rewarding one of all time. They also knew they could ‘cope’ if they worked together.  Body just wasn’t looking forward to yet more changes and wobbly bits and Bottom just still couldn’t get over the fact that those two popped out of their other bottom!!

The Alien Invader

Life seemed pretty good despite the lack of sleep and having to do this thing they called a job in order to get things you want or need. This was much to Bottoms’ amazement as she couldn’t understand why people had to have the need for so much ‘stuff’ that when she thought really long and hard, they didn’t really need it as the best things in life were normally free.

By one chance encounter Body was having something checked out at the Doctors this was just a routine thing but then because something else was there she asked the Dr about that as well. To cut a long story short it turned out there was a lump in the neck that shouldn’t have been there and needed to be removed to find out more. Body was obviously worried and quite scared, Bottom just wanted to get the crappy thing out but Brain knew somehow that it would all be ok. This lump did turn out to be something it was cancer (skin cancer), (Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma to be exact). All caused by too much exposure to sun of all things.

It wasn’t easy but the three amigos did what they do best, they stuck together. They came to realise that they all had a role to play if they were going to destroy this alien invader. It was the hardest thing they had ever done but the battle was won. It took some time but slowly Brain started to see the good things in the future and appreciate all that she had. Bottom had stopped lazing about and started to move again. Body started to love her body again although it wasn’t quite the same as before she appreciated all that it had done for her and how she had shown strength to repair. Bottom also reminded her of the inner beauty that shone through her. It felt like life was finally going to be ‘normal’ if there is ever such a thing as normal.

 The Alien Resurrection

Then one day not too long ago something inside didn’t quite feel right. Bottom had a bad feeling about this as it felt sort of familiar, Brain as always tried to rationalise the unknown. It turned out that the aliens had reappeared but this time it wasn’t in Body this time the aliens had appeared in Brain. This was a totally different ball game but there was a plan. They had to get the first big alien out first and then once Body had repaired, they then had to zap the other smaller aliens with a magic beam. It was a pretty tall task not just for the Brain, Body and Bottom but for the whole crew, it was all systems go. Body just wasn’t sure if she could go through it all again knowing how much it hurt the last time.

As they continued it started to affect the others but not in a way they had known before. Body started to become weaker and couldn’t walk very far. Brain couldn’t remember things and would sometimes struggle to talk or be able to listen and write. Bottom often panicked so much that she literally looked like she was going to explode. The battle had begun it was a tough one the crew did an amazing job of getting rid of the big alien and are still working tirelessly on the smaller ones.

Butt this isn’t the end

This isn’t how the story ends though. One day the three friends were sat together on the top of a hill looking out on the beautiful horizon. Brain whom had been struggling the most since this alien attack thought for a moment. She still knew somehow that everything would be ok as long as they were together and had determination, faith and hope. It was then that Bottom said one of the most profound things that had come out of her bottom in all the time they had been friends. It went something like this;

Bottom: ‘I think were quite lucky you know’

Body: ‘In what way do you mean?

Bottom: ‘Well when Brain had her operation who helped her heal her scar on her head?

Body: ‘Me I suppose in a way’

Bottom: ‘And when you couldn’t walk who helped teach you to put one foot in front of the other?

Body: ‘Brain’

Brain: ‘But we couldn’t have done that without you lifting us up Bottom’

Bottom: ‘That’s exactly right we all have a part to play to keep going and never give up. We’re lucky we have each other (she then turned and looked at the bag on Body’s back) Body what do you carry round in that bag of yours all day?

Body: ‘I don’t really know to be honest but it’s been weighing me down for some time now’

Bottom: ‘And Brain why do you have those chips on your shoulders?’

Brain: ‘I don’t know they’ve always been here I think sometimes I think it stops me from really listening and learning’

Bottom: ‘Right on the count of three I want you both to get rid of them’

Body and Brain released them both and watched as they rolled down the hill.

Brain: ‘Now how does that feel?’

Brain/Body: ‘Lighter’

Bottom: ‘Exactly! We don’t need to carry things around that weigh us down. Let’s not dwell on what has been or look too far ahead. Let’s just enjoy this moment. I know deep down as long as we’re together everything will be just fine I can just feel it. We can always get by with kindness, love and hope.

Brain: ‘Not forgetting our little friend who’s always been here.’

Body: ‘Ah yes Determination’

For Daisy and Archie whatever you do in your life do it with kindness, love, determination and hope.

All my love always Mum x x x

By Rachel Cummings 18^th August 2022