The curtains unfold. A light illuminates a dark stage, and a pair of brothers trod on stage. One has a smile of charm and wit, while the other holds a notecard with a message to profess. Their bodies are as thin as a couple of sticks, while their heads are as round as lollies with a taste that is possibly sweet.

“Gosh, is this guy trying to describe us, or is he hungry for candy?”

“John, please,” the interminate brother hushed, “Ahem. Greetings and salutations audiences of all shapes and sizes! My name is Cheky. My brother and I have been notably absent for the past few years. Now, I know that many of you may not remember us, but-.”

“But we were here first!” John butted in, “And we’d like to have our place ba-!” John continued to babble, but his simple yells were muffled by his brother’s incensed hand. Cheky sighed before continuing his speech. He stated, “We have brought you here today to tell the tale of how my brother and I found ourselves lost… LOST in the dense, dangerous wilds of nature.” The lights dim with the sound of maracas looming from below, emitting the hiss of a trodden snake.

“We had nothing but our bare hands,” Cheky gestured with a bounce, “Nothing but our wits! Nothing but the sheer found in our humble brains…” John rolled his eyes at his brother’s theatrics, but listened as he clamored on. Cheky stomped his feet to the edge of the stage and roared like a bear. He told us of the dangerous animals that waited for us. The foolish antics that John committed to have them lost- “HEY!” -and the journey they found, not just through the forest, but with each other. THIS is a story that-

“That’s been long overdue,” Cheky admitted. His body deflated to a calmer position. He folded his arms, let his eyes droop to his feet, and sighed, “Dear brother. How long has it been since we promised to tell the story?”

“September 29, 2016.”

“How unfortunate.”

“Yeah…” John chuckled sheepishly, “Sorry ‘bout that guys.”

“But we plan to change that starting right now!” Cheky declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!”

“My artisan brother and I hope you enjoy this tale, as we’ve been needing to get this off our chest forever. Join us, the Sticktoon Bros., as we finally (for real this time) get lost… LOST IN THE FOREST!”