Don’t Assume Wal-Mart Sells Walls

A little true fiction

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon when I found myself meandering through the labyrinthine aisles of Wal-Mart. I was on a mission to find something, though what exactly that something was, I can’t quite recall. My mind was wandering as I strolled past shelves stocked with everything from groceries to gardening tools, electronics to exercise equipment. In the midst of my aimless journey, a thought struck me: “Does Wal-Mart sell walls?”

Now, I’m fully aware of the absurdity of the question. But sometimes, the mind drifts into peculiar territories, especially when you’re surrounded by an endless array of consumer goods. It seemed like an innocent enough query, and I chuckled to myself at the ridiculousness of it. However, my curiosity got the better of me. I decided to approach the nearest employee to ask the question that had suddenly taken over my thoughts.

As luck would have it, the first employee I encountered was an 85-year-old greeter named Ed. Ed had the kind of friendly face that made you feel welcome, but also the stern demeanor of someone who had seen it all. I approached him with a smile and a twinkle of mischief in my eye.

“Excuse me, Ed,” I began, “do you know if Wal-Mart sells walls?”