The thirty-five year old man drums his fingers on the steering wheel as the music plays through the speakers of the tan van. Excitement whelms through him as he drives. His green eyes leave the road for a split second to use the review mirror to peer back at his daughter sitting in the booster seat. She kicks her little legs to the beat of the music as she looks out the side window. The overstuffed pink coat makes a noise as her arms tighten around the worn out teddy bear in her arms. Her bright blue eyes beam with excitement and her head starts to bob side-to-side. The blond curls bounce. She glances at the review mirror and catches her father looking at her.
"Are you excited daddy?" A big smile shines on her face.
"I am, sweetheart," he replies, looking back at the road.
"Daddy," she sits up taller in her seat, "Tell me about the castle again."
The man chuckles, "Alright." He shuts off the radio and clears his throat. "Your uncle and I use to play in this castle together when we were your age before we moved. It's a tall black shining castle with a giant bridge leading to its entrance. The castle had many passage ways. Only the skilled knew exactly how to navigate their way through without falling into the pits of endlessness." His voice rises with excitement.
"Only the brave took the challenge of climbing the winding ladders, to fling their selves across the gapped bars. Most of all, only the courageous rose to the challenge of getting to the highest tower. Many young warriors tried but all have failed. That is, aside from your uncle and I. We ruled this castle. We knew every detail about this building. The two kings, we were."
"That makes me a princess!" the child squeals. Her father laughs.
"That it does!" He turns the corner and slows to a stop along the road side. "We're here."

After walking down the street the man and his daughter walk onto the grass of the park. In the distance he can see the playground where the 'castle' stands. The little girl runs ahead.
"Roza, come back here!" He shouts, running after her.
She looks over her shoulder as she runs, "I'll be fine dadd-- oof!" the little girl, Roza, bounces off the solid object, landing on her butt.
"I'm so sorry!" her father says moments later as he kneels beside her. Looking at what is daughter ran into, he finds an elderly woman. The only way he could describe her was: Betty White.
"Oh, it's quite alright!" she grinned, "Children will the children."
As he helps his daughter up 'Betty White' gives a nod and wonders down the stone pathway. He returns his attention back to Roza. "You have got to be more careful."
"I'm sorry daddy."
"It's alright. Now, let's get to the castle."

He stares at it in disbelief. The 'castle' is nothing like he remembered. It is old, rundown, and small. The black paint is peeling and the playground is overrun with leaves. Heartbroken, he apologizes to Roza.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. I guess my memory failed me."
"What are you talking about daddy!?" Her eyes shine with happiness and joy. Her arms once again tighten around the teddy bear, "It's exactly how you said!" She looks at him, "It's amazing!" She darts off and runs up the ramp. Now he's looking at his daughter in disbelief. How could she possibly think this junk of a playground was the castle he told her about?
A small wrinkled frail hand touches his arm. "Excuse me young lad," the old lady spoke. He recognizes her from earlier.
"Can I help you ma'am?" He asks, glancing back at his daughter who has joined a few other children.
"Oh no, Hun, I just came to ask you a question." She waits for a nod before she continues, "Did you by any chance lose your imagination?" A smile brakes out on her face. He stares at her. The elder woman tilts her head to the playground. He looks back at it.
Suddenly the sorry excuse for a playground begins to change before his eyes. The ramp becomes an elaborate bridge. Walls form and towers rise. The black paint repairs itself and shines in the sunlight.
"Daddy! The dragons got Teddy!" He hears his Roza yell from the tallest tower. Looking at where she's pointing he finds two seagulls pecking at the teddy bear. Right then and there, the birds morph into red dragons; smoke puffing out their noses.
The lady pats the man's back, "You're welcome." Without another word, she walks away. Turning back to the playground, a smile forms on his lips. He reaches down, grabs the nearest stick and thrusts it into the air.
"I, king of this castle, will fight for the freedom of Sir Teddy, my princess!" He yells before running at the birds. From the platform, Roza giggles and cheers for her father.

"This world is but a canvas to our imagination." -- Henry David Thoreau