Gather round, children. Today’s story is about how the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle got its claws.

Once, long ago, there was a toy store full of remote control devices. Each day, the cars and boats and helicopters would wake up and hurry to the front window, where they would drive around looking as cute and active as they possibly could, hoping that someone would take them home. And then at night, the cars and boats and helicopters who weren’t chosen would motor themselves home and tuck themselves into their little beds and sigh, telling themselves that tomorrow would surely be the day.

Of all the little toys, there was one that was the most optimistic. His name was the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle, and each night he fell asleep happy, because he knew that someone special was coming to get him one day. Each day he returned to his little bed and told himself that he was one day closer to his destiny. And then he would fall asleep, and dream of a little boy’s face, the little boy he knew was for him. Sometimes a few of the other remote control toys would say he was crazy, and that no one would ever love a double-sided freak, but the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle paid them no mind. He knew he was right, and knew that one day he’d flip and spin across a kitchen floor with joy.

And then, one summer’s day, the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle was busy in the front window, spinning and driving and practicing his stunts… and he heard a noise. He looked up, and he saw the face of a little boy! HIS little boy! This was it! This was his destiny! But today the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle was in the very back of the pile and the little boy was looking at one of the toy helicopters instead. The Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle knew in his heart, he had to get to the front of the window… and fast!

Fear and determination filled his tires as he raced forward in his Speed Mode. He paid no attention to anything around him, until a small police car zipped in from the side, yelling “Halt! Halt! You’re going too fast!” The Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle switched to Alien Mode and shouted back “I’m sorry, I’m no longer in your jurisdiction!” and went even faster. He had to get to the front! He had to get that boy’s attention! But then, as luck would have it, the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle hit a bump in the carpet. He revved forward, revved backwards, pushed as hard as he could… but it was no use! The Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle was stuck!

At the window, the boy tugged at his mother’s sleeve and began to point. The helicopter noticed, and swooped in. The Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle felt heartbreak for the first time in his life. Maybe those other toys were right. Maybe he wasn’t special. Maybe he was just doomed to wind up in some dollar bin. Maybe this little boy wasn’t his destiny after all. Right there in the toy store window, the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle started to cry.

And then, something magical happened. The Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle felt his tires begin to open up. He felt the rough traction of the rug as he pulled himself over the lump. He looked down and saw… claws? Why, maybe he was special after all! Maybe he could still make it to the window!

Just as the little boy’s mother turned, the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle raced into view. With his claws out, he began to wave and wiggle and flip and dance, showing off every stunt he’d ever learned. The helicopter glared, but the boy’s face lit up with joy.

“Mommy!” he yelled. “I want THAT one! But can I also have the helicopter too?”

And that night, as the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle fell asleep in a great big bed, next to a little boy and a helicopter that was not included with his sale, being watched over by a mother who just couldn’t help but spoil her child, he smiled a confident smile. Because when a remote control vehicle has claws, nothing is impossible.

Of course, the next day, when the Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle discovered the world beyond the garden gate… but that is a tale for another time, don’t you think?

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