It was one of the great miracles of toy science. Thos geniuses at Kenner filled a rubber

action figure with corn syrup and, voila, you had something that would keep you occupied for

hours. With kids today you would need to include interfaces for Wi-Fi and the social

networks to create the same kind wonder that comes from stretching a guy from fifty inches

to five feet.

My friend Eddy left his original on, of all this, a heater’s radiator. That’s when we

discovered Stretch’s sweat, sticky blood. I wish Mom didn’t sell mine for a quarter thirty

years ago at the church rummage sale. EBay has some listed for thousands of dollars.

For a few years Hollywood has tried to put together a Stretch Armstrong movie. I’d go to see

it, if a free Stretch was included with the ticket price. I’d even throw in the corn syrup.