Pip the Tiny Helper

Lars is seventy years old. He lives alone in a small house by a lake. His son sends him a gift for his birthday. It is a tiny helper called Pip.

Pip is the size of a button. It sits on the collar of Lars's coat. It has one little green light. It can listen, and it can talk.

"Hello, Lars," says Pip in a small voice. "I am here to help you."

Lars looks at his collar. "Hello, Pip," he says.

On the first morning, Lars wants to know the time. He is in the kitchen. His clock is behind the door. He asks, "Pip, do you know the time?"

"Yes," says Pip.

Lars waits. Pip says nothing.

"Well? What is the time?"

"It is seven forty," says Pip. "You asked if I know it. I do."

Lars laughs very hard. His tea moves in the cup. "You are funny," he says. "But I want the answer, not a yes."

"Please ask me what you want," says Pip.

Lars drinks his tea. He thinks about this. Pip answers exactly what he asks. It does not guess.

At nine o'clock, Lars looks for his glasses. He looks on the table. He looks on the chair. He looks in the bathroom. "Pip, can you help me? I cannot find my glasses."

"Yes, I can help you," says Pip.

"Good," says Lars. "Then help me."

"How?" asks Pip.

Lars sits down and puts his head in his hands. "This is hard," he says.

At ten o'clock, Lars walks to the shop. A neighbor says hello at the gate. "Good morning, Lars! What is that on your coat?"

"This is Pip," says Lars. "It is my new helper. Pip, say hello."

"Hello," says Pip. The neighbor laughs and waves at the tiny green light.

"It answers everything," the neighbor says.

"Only if you ask well," says Lars.

At the shop, he wants bread, eggs, and apples. He says to Pip, "I need the list." Pip does not move. Then he says, "Pip, show me my list." The green light turns on. A small voice says, "Bread, eggs, apples."

Lars smiles. "That is it! I must ask in the right way."

All day, he practices. "What is the weather?" he asks, and Pip says, "It is cold and sunny."

"Where is the bus stop?" Pip says, "It is on the next street." Lars likes this very much. He talks to Pip all the way home. They talk about birds, bread, and rain. Pip knows a lot about all three. It is a good day for Lars. He is not alone.

In the evening, Lars sits in his chair. It is near the window. The lake is orange in the late light. He feels warm and a bit tired. He wants to read his book. But he cannot see the words.

He looks on the table. He looks on the shelf. He looks in the kitchen.

"Pip," he says in a clear voice. "Where are my glasses?"

"On your head," says Pip.