softly whispered

 

An elderly woman and her little grandson,

whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles,

spent the day at the zoo. Lots

 of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted

by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.

"You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!"

a girl in the line said to the little fella.

Embarrassed, the little boy

dropped his head. His grandmother knelt down next to him.

"I love your freckles.

When I was a little girl I always wanted freckles,

she said, while tracing her finger

across the child's cheek.

"Freckles are beautiful!"

The boy looked up, "Really?" "Of course,"

said the grandmother.

"Why, just name me one thing that is prettier than freckles."

The little boy thought for a moment,

peered intensely into his grandma's face,

and softly whispered, "Wrinkles."