…after you colored my clothes on and put me in the envelope, and wished me well, I fell asleep. As intended, since we knew the journey was going to take some days. I woke up now and then, and of course it was dark inside the envelope but I could hear some stuff going on outside… the rustle of millions of other pieces of paper, boxes and other containers going to their destinations over the Christmas holiday. Then I went back to sleep and dreamt I was in Santa Claus’ sled, on my way here.

“Here ” is when I woke up, and found myself on this beach. They call it Maluaka. Or at least that’s what he said. “He” is my new friend Lloyd, who was taking a picture of me standing on this humongous piece of driftwood. Or trying to.

It was a very windy morning, and I kept keeling over. But finally Lloyd got the photo he wanted, although as you can see above, my image is a bit blurry as I kept teeter-tottering in the breeze. There will be better, sharper ones of me, in other places on this island.

For now, hello again, Lorien! Or, as they say here, Aloha. Oh, and Happy Birthday to you! Or, rather… Hauoli la hanau ia oe, Lorien. May you have the best birthday day ever.

your friend,
Flat Stanley

p.s.: Lloyd says to tell your dad Richard hello—it has been a long time since they saw each other, back in Berkeley. Maybe you folks can come visit here sometime.