Cupid’s Broken Glasses

Cupid went to bed early. Tomorrow was a big day! Every year he went flying around, shooting his special arrows at people to make them fall in love. Valentine’s Day was always the busiest time for him.  

He took a final look at his Love List. It held the names of all the people he was supposed to target tomorrow. He took off his glasses, had a sip of water from his cup, and set everything down on his bedside table. He made sure his alarm clock was set for the morning. Cupid snuggled under the covers and began dreaming of rainbow-colored clouds that showered pink hearts over everyone. Ah, love!

He was fast asleep when the alarm went off, rudely disturbing his candy-coated dream. Grumpily, he reached over to hit the alarm clock and stop the loud buzzing. Crash! The clock, the cup of water, his Love List, and his reading glasses all clattered to the ground. Cupid was wide awake now! Oh, dear!

The water from the cup was soaking his list, smudging the names on it just like an eraser. When he picked up his reading glasses, he was upset to find they were broken. He grabbed the paper, trying to read the names on it through his cracked lenses. It was no use. Yikes! What was he going to do now?

People were depending on him. Cupid was so popular they put his picture on romantic cards with mushy rhymes about love in them. He couldn’t let those folks down. Maybe he could remember who had been on his list. And if not, well, did it really matter? Everybody wants to fall in love, right? Cupid gathered up his bow and arrows and got to work.

Cupid arrived at the first town and scanned the area. He tried to think. Who had been on his Love List? Ah-ha! There was the librarian, walking home from work. She had an armful of books. He was certain that she had been on his list! But who was she supposed to fall in love with? He knew that when he shot his arrow, the magic spell would enchant both his target and the person closest to them, making them immediately fall in love with each other. Cupid tried to think who was the right match for the studious librarian. He couldn’t recall. Shrugging, he pulled out an arrow and took careful aim. Whammo!

The librarian stopped. Her books dropped from her arms as she slapped the back of her neck. What was that? Suddenly, she felt a rosy glow come over her, and her eyes began to twinkle. The first person she saw was the burly hockey player walking past, carrying his skates and stick. She thought he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen! Seeing her books scattered on the sidewalk, he bent to help her pick them up. Their eyes met, and he suddenly felt weak in the knees. “I was wondering if you knew of any good books about hockey,” he asked shyly.

She nodded. “Of course. Come on and I’ll show you.” Together, they walked off happily.

Pleased with himself, Cupid continued on his way. Next, he drifted over to the town bakery. The delicious aroma of sweet cinnamon buns filled the air. The round-cheeked, happy man in the white apron was standing outside his shop, offering free samples. Bakers need a little love too, Cupid thought. He took aim and let his arrow loose. Bam!

The baker tripped, spilling his tray of buns everywhere. Ouch! The first person to help him up was the slim lady in yoga pants who went to the gym every day. The baker dusted himself off, and offered her a freshly baked cupcake right from the oven. “Is it sugar-free, fat-free, and dairy-free?” she asked.

“Where’s the fun in that?” he smiled. Really, he wondered why he had never noticed how lovely this woman was before. She giggled, and agreed that maybe this once she would like to have a sweet treat. They went into the bakery together, holding hands.

Cupid flew a little farther and spotted a hospital. Coming out of an ambulance on a stretcher was a man who looked like he might have a broken arm and a broken leg. That guy could use a little love, thought the cherub. Zing! The arrow sliced through the air. But the man was in so much pain already, he didn’t even notice. Suddenly, though, he felt pretty good! The pain was replaced with a happy, tingly feeling.

As the man was rolled into the building, a doctor in a white coat came up to see him. She smiled and asked the patient if he was in pain. The injured man looked at the doctor and fell madly in love. “Not any more,” he grinned. The doctor smiled back and asked what had happened.

“I’m a stuntman,” he said. “I jumped off a building for a TV show, but I missed the soft landing area by a few feet.”

“Well, I’m just going to have to patch you up, I suppose. A stuntman, huh? I guess I’m going to see a lot of you if you keep breaking bones!” The doctor realized her own heart was beating a little faster — In a good way.

“I sure hope so, Doc,” smiled the stuntman. She wheeled the patient into the operating room, as they laughed and joked together.

Yes! Cupid whispered. So far, so good. Who was going to be next? Could it be you? Look out!