A Home for Imaginary Friends

Max has an imaginary friend named Ninjitsu. Naturally, when he told us about him we wanted to know more. We asked Max if he'd like to talk on the record about his friendship. Here now, a revealing look at genuine camaraderie between a boy and his Ninja.

Max, can you describe your imaginary friend to me?
He is fast, quick and strong. He talks Chinese and he has a tail that looks like a Kentasaurus. He has a sword and he's tall.

How did you meet him?
I met him because I like Ninjas and I thought of an imaginary friend and I thought of a name that was Ninjitsu.

How old is Ninjitsu?
He is 10.

Where does he live?
He lives in China and he always comes to visit me.

How does he get here from China?
Remember I said he was really fast?

Mm-hmm.
He's not really normal fast like humans. He is crazyfast. He can run across the world one time, in one minute.

Wow. That's fast. How do you keep up with him?
I don't keep up with him. I grab onto his tail.

Ah, that's smart and you get a free ride.
But it's scary. I'm like "Ahhh..." And bugs get in my eye.

What kinds of things do you do with Ninjitsu? What games do you like to play?
We like to play baseball. He's very good at it because he has a tail. He whacks the ball with his tail.

Is that allowed in baseball, whacking the ball with your tail?
We made up our own kind of baseball you can do whatever you want as long as you hit the ball.

That sounds like fun. What do you use to hit the ball?
I use my head and that does not hurt. It was a rubber ball.

What does Ninjitsu sound like when he talks? Does he have a high voice?
He talks in the middle...

You mean kinda high and kinda low?
Like "Ninjitsu" [Max says it really fast and low.]

Is there anything else you want to tell me about Ninjitsu?
Well, we like to play on the playground. He takes me on free trips to California, to Africa, and back home again. He takes me to his house.

In China? Wow. What's it like there?
It is mostly red and white. All the houses are red and white. And Ninjitsu wears black.

China sounds like a great place to visit. I wish I could go with you guys next time. Can I?
(Hesitantly) Yeah.

Thanks, Max. Time for bath now. Oh one more question: Is Ninjitsu here...now?
Almost. Oh, here he is. He's at the door.

He's here now!?
Yeah.

Well, does he like us?
Yeah, if he didn't he would hit you with his tail. He has to be careful going down the sliding board.

Right, sure.