The Timesons
A short story about the family of time
At 11:11 TickTock Terminal there is a clock that exudes elegance. A century of time went into its extravagant architecture yet time cannot do justice to its level of detail. The commuters inside, however, are rushed and oblivious to all its elegance. They see numbers and destiniations but nothing is beautiful to them. The only thing on their mind is time.
Above this clock a flap display reads:
“Welcome to TickTock Terminal, where time stands still but events move quickly, not wasting a second.”
This magnificent clock towers over the time-pressed commuters. They stare at the clock’s face unanimously impatient as they wait for their train to arrive on time. To them, time is of the essence but to the inhabitants inside the clock, time is essential.
Inside the Grand Clock at TickTock Terminal is a punctual family called the Timesons. It’s their duty to keep time at the terminal, eternally. Their round home is filled with seconds, minutes, hours and a day. They all work together in order to keep time moving. Time is their economy because time is money yet time should be priceless and time cannot wait yet sometimes it has to.
In a family of time, there are only enough hours for a day, enough minutes for an hour, and enough seconds for a minute. This puts a lot of pressure on the Timesons to be preciously precise…
“Hey why am I moving so fast?” The second asks.
The second is the smallest unit of time measurement, the youngest and most immature of the Timesons. It’s hard to keep track of a second but when you want to make good use of second you’ll pay careful attention to it like a stopwatch.
“You’re just trying to catch-up to me,” says the minute.
The minute is a bit more mature but not mature enough to be trusted. Like a teen, the minute can cause trouble. Sometimes it takes awhile for it to move, that’s unless you’re having fun. The minute will always follow you like a wristwatch.
“But I’ve already lapped you.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re more important.”
“It means I am faster and more nimble.”
“But certainly not as popular and cool.”
“How many times have you two gone around?” Interrupts the hour.
The hour is an adult and wise like a parent. The hour takes pride in its work and will take time to do things right. Its move means something. It’s notable and important and will let you know it like an alarm clock.
“I’d say about 60 times,” the second replies.
“Only once for me,” says the minute.
“That’s not nearly enough,” the day informs them.
The day is like a Grandfather who he doesn’t move, well, all day. He will sit there counting the seconds, minutes, and hours back and forth like a rocking chair. Until the Cuckoo bird scares him out of his chair and makes him move on to the next day.
“Are we still on time?” asks the hour.
“The next train arrives at 11:11, so I need all of you to move, exactly on time,” say Grandfather.
“Yes grandfather,” they all sigh.
The Timesons you see are just like you and me, they are a family.
“Keep it up hour, there will be a train arriving soon, and it must be on time.” Grandfather says.
“I’m moving as fast as I can, minute can you please hurry up?” The hour replies.
“If it weren’t for the second, I’d be there already…” the minute says staring down the second.
“Look I’m on my 59th lap!” The second shouts.
“Well hurry up already little one!” The hour beckons.
“Make me.”
“You little rascal, people need to have an accurate time get moving!” The minute scowls.
“No they don’t”
“Yes they DO!”
“Na na na na na! You’ll have to catch me first!” The second teases.
“You know that’s not fair, I can only move as fast as you.” The minute pleas.
“Hurry the train is about to be here!” Demands the hour.
“Shouldn’t it be 11:11 by now?” the minute asks.
“Wait isn’t it time? Where is the train?”
“Hmm it must be delayed.” Grandfather says wisely.
“Guess what time it is,” riddles the second.
“11:11?” They ask.
“Nope, time to get a watch! Get it?” The second chuckles.
“Stop wasting our time!” They shout.
“It’s too late it was 11:11, 11 seconds ago.” Grandfather says.
“That’s what you think!” the second shouts making its final lap around the clock.
The clock strikes 11:11 at the the exact moment the train arrives at its station… right on time and not a second late.
