Tristan's Hat

Tristan's Hat

Tristan loved his Hat. His Hat was red, green, orange and blue; it had fur on the sides and a secret pocket on the back. It had a strap for when it got windy and a tag with his name on it. It was the greatest Hat in the world and Tristan loved it with all his heart.
One day while feeding his sea monkeys, Tristan was approached by his older sister with the earring in her lip.
"Why are you wearing a hat indoors?",asked Tristan's older sister with the earring in her lip.
"My Hat is red, green, orange and blue; it has fur on the sides and a secret pocket on the back. It has a strap for when it gets windy and a tag with my name on it. It is the greatest Hat in the world and I love it with all my heart," replied Tristan.
"You can't love a hat ! Besides, boys are supposed to love girls," laughed Tristan's older sister with the earring in her lip. She put on her headphones and continued down the hall.
Tristan was shocked and slightly confused. As far as he knew he was allowed to love anything he loved, and he loved his Hat with all his heart. His older sister with the earring in her lip was not a very reliable source, so Tristan decided to confront his mother on the matter. His mother, who liked to work in her office with many papers everywhere and the picture of a fat cat on the far wall next to the bench, was on the phone when Tristan found her.
"Mom?" asked Tristan.
"Yep."
"My Hat is red, green, orange and blue; it has fur on the sides and a secret pocket on the back. It has a strap for when it gets windy and a tag with my name on it. It is the greatest Hat in the world and I love it with all my heart."
"We'll send it Thursday by..."
"Mum, my Hat is re..."
"Tristan, Mummy is busy right now."
"But Mum, my Hat..."
"Tristan-sweetie, don't be silly, people don't love their hats they love their children. Now run along."
This was not the answer Tristan had been expecting. Maybe there were rules against loving his Hat as his mother was often right about such things. Nevertheless, Tristan decided to ask his Dad, who he found in the garage underneath his big red racing car. His enormous hands were covered with grease and sweat ran down his crooked nose.
"Daddy, my Hat is red, green orange and blue; it has fur on the sides and a secret pocket on the back. It has a strap for when it get s windy and a tag with my name on it. It is the greatest Hat in the world and I love it with all my heart. Do love your Hat Daddy?"
Men love cars Tristan, cars. Not hats."
The next day Tristan decided to ask Father Thomas about love and if a person could love a hat. Tristan's Daddy says Father Thomas is as old as the hills so Tristan was sure that he would know the answer.
"Father Thomas? What do you love?"
"I love myself, my neighbour and most of all I love God." Father Thomas had great bushy eyebrows that went up and down when he spoke.
"Father Thomas, my Hat is red, green, orange and blue; it has fur on the sides and a secret pocket on the back. It has a strap for when it gets windy and a tag with my name on it. It is the greatest Hat in the world and I love it with all my heart."
"No Tristan, you appreciate your special hat but you do not love it. How hardly shall they that have riches enter the kingdom of God."
Tristan's conversation with Father Thomas did little to clear up the issue. Tristan loved himself, he loved his neighbour and he loved God, but Tristan still loved his Hat. He loved his Hat with all his heart. The meeting with Father Thomas had failed to solve any of Tristan's problems.
The following morning during recess Tristan asked his teacher Madame Rousseau. Madame Rousseau could play the guitar and sing just like in the movies; surely she would have the answer to the question.
"Madame Rousseau, can people love their Hats?"
"No Tristan, people can like their hats, but people love their friends and their family, not their hats."
After school Tristan did not play on the jungle gym, he didn't want the other children to see him. At the bus stop Tristan counted all the red cars that went by, he held the hat in his hand. The bus pulled up with a schreeech; Tristan hurried inside. The rush of the warm air on his cold skin made his face feel tingly.
"That's a fine Hat you have there."
"It's only a silly hat," said Tristan. The bus driver frowned.
"Is that so? Son, does your hat keep you warm?"
"It does..."
"Do you take good care of your Hat?"
"I do, I do. I even keep it under my pillow!"
"Does your Hat make you smile?"
"It does! Every time I wear it!"
"Son, it's not often you come accross something as special as that Hat. You love that Hat and you don't let anybody try to tell you otherwise."
Tristan's Hat was red, green, orange and blue; it had fur on the sides and a secret pocket on the back. It had a strap for when it got windy and a tag with his name on it. It was the greatest Hat in the world and he loved it with all his heart.

Ted Brook, December 2006.