As the afternoon sun sets on the distant horizon of Sock World, a pair of old woolen socks sit on a bench on the outskirts of Sock Park. They sit and soak up the warm rays of the setting sun - enjoying the peace, tranquillity, and comfort that is a typical end to every day in Sock World. Harvey and Otto are indeed old socks and can attest to being some of the oldest socks currently living in Sock World. While Harvey is a Rightie and Otto is a Leftie, they have moved beyond some of the petty rivalries that occur between younger socks. They have learned that some battles are not worth the effort - especially the age-old battles between tribes 🏟️

Harvey is a thick-set mint-green woolen sock who spent his days on the human world hiking mountainous terrain with his twin. He has been to some of the most extreme locations on the human planet and, as a result, has many stories to share. Otto has heard them all - many, many times over. Otto is a thin fancy business sock of the most delicate woolen weave. Despite coming from different tribes, Otto and Harvey understand that they are literally cut from the same cloth 🧦

Listening a little closer, it's obvious that Harvey and Otto share a story told many times before. But, they still listen intently to one another's telling of the Great Darning they each experienced. Let's listen now to learn a little more about Harvey and Otto and how they came to be in Sock World.
"So remind me of your Great Darning story again, Otto," Harvey quietly asked as he shaded his eyes from the setting sun 🌄

Otto shuffled in his seat and stared at young socks playing happily in Sock Park. He turned to Harvey, grimaced, and said, "Me?" as though they were not alone.

He went on, "Oh, I went into the tumble dryer after a busy day in the office. I tumbled without care and soon drifted off to the rhythm of the drum. I awoke a bit startled as the dryer door slammed shut. I was alone as my human had removed all the other clothing, including my twin. I was stuck to the top of the drum and hung there for days."

Otto let out a sigh and then smiled at the memory. "They couldn't see me, and I clung and clung until I saw a bright light at the back of the dryer. It was hard to look at and look away from, but it called to me and beckoned me into its warm glow. Next thing I knew, I woke up here."

Otto pointed at the grassy fields of Sock Park. "Right on that patch of grass. I felt alive and refreshed. And my elastic had never felt more bouncy!" 🍀 🌱

Otto let out a long whistle and sat a little straighter. Turning to Harvey again, he asked, "What about you, Harv?"
Harvey glanced at his oldest friend and chuckled. "You had it easy, my friend. I came from a humble home where I was lovingly hand washed every day. I got on well with the other socks in the drawer. We didn't have much, but what we did have we cherished - clean feet, daily washing, cedar draws to keep the moths at bay."

He stretched to absorb the last rays of the setting sun before continuing. "And as you know, we went on lots and lots of long walks into the wilderness. I got filthy often and loved nothing more than soaking." 🏕️

Harvey shook his head and sighed. "I remember being hung on the line after a long soak in a sudsy bath. The sun was warm on my wool, and the breeze left me drowsy. I must have drifted off as when I woke, the wind was howling, and the sky was angry. Rough weather didn't bother me when I was with my human, but I was trapped on the line."

Closing his eyes as if reliving the scene, he went on a little faster, "I was being whipped back and forth, and I could see that my peg was pulling free. My human was running from the back door to the washing line to save us - for I wasn't alone. But the wicked wind grabbed me and flung me away from my comfortable and humble life, and left me clinging to the neighbor's tin roof." 🌪️
Smiling now, Harvey said, "And then, like you, I saw a bright warm light. At first, I thought it was just the morning sun, but the stars were still out. The next thing I knew, I woke up here feeling safe. The tin roof had torn a hole in me when I got snagged. But waking up and checking myself over, there was no hole - I looked brand new again."

Otto nodded both in memory of hearing the story before and in condolence with his friend over a life left behind. The two socks chuckled and stared into the distance. Dusk was falling, yet neither moved as they reminisced over their time in Sock World. They knew that they were in a magical place and had been granted a new life by the Laundry God. The Great Darning was a story shared by every Lost Sock in Sock World, no matter their tribe. For some, the Great Darning was a time of grief, and for others, it was a time of celebration. Regardless, it was a time of renewal and second chances for every Lost Sock 🧦

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