Day, the Twenty Eighth

Fortune is Merry

Little Bean asks me, what’s the difference between a wish and a fortune?

We’re at a highway truck stop, hungry, sore from sitting; surrounded by swarms of holiday travelers. New York State Thruway rest stops are universally similar and drab - the usual line up of expensive fast food and tourist trinkets.

Except for this one. This one is different. This one is the home of Zoltar.

Let’s clear a few things up before getting into wish/fortune.

Yes, Zoltar was the fortune genie Tom Hanks made his “I want to be big” wish to in the movie Big. And yes, this is Zoltar we’re standing in front of. But, and it’s a big but, there are two different Zoltars.

I know… but stay with me.

The Zoltar from the movie is a fotune teller attraction developed by a company called Zoltar out of Yorkshire, England. The Zoltar from the movie has light up eyes. He also has a red turban. That’s it. That’s how you spot the difference.

The Zoltar we discovered along the New York State Thurway was built by a company called Characters Unlimited out of Boulder City, Nevada. Technically, this fellow is trademarked as Zoltar Speaks. And the company offers a whole host if characters like Zoltar, including Man in an Outhouse!

Anyway, you can grab a Zoltar for your house if you like for a cool $5,400.

But on to our fotune. I tell my daughter that a wish is something YOU make for yourself while a fortune is something Zoltar will PREDICT will happen to you.

This feels a little weird to her. “So he’s going to wish something for me?”

“Yes.”

“But how does he know what I want?”

“He doesn’t.”

“So how will-”

“Listen, here’s a buck, just don’t think too much about it.”

She inserts the bill and Zoltar springs to life, waving his hand over the crystal ball. “Zoltar is here to give you the wisdom of the ancients,” he begins. But then he surprises us. “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.” Interesting. “Create your destiny wisely my friend.”

And out spits Little Bean’s fortune.

We both stare at it together. Basically, Zoltar wants her to do her chores. The image suggests she needs to do some laundry as well. “I think you’re supposed to wash the floor,” I helpfully add.

She gives me a look that suggests she doesn’t approve of Zoltar’s prognostication.

Though to be fair, the next day will be very busy with lots of holiday work and set up on our agenda. So, I guess.. maybe… Zoltar was on to something?

At the same time, Zoltar wanted her to create her own destiny. To choose. How lovely then, to be a child on her way to a holiday feast with family and with cousins she adores, to choose to be engaged and happy and surrounded by things you love.

Still, maybe when we got home, I could show her how the washing machine works. One never knows which direction the wisdom of the ancients will lead.