The Return of the PET ROCK

    By Ezekiel Wysong

    The Return of the PET ROCK cover image

    10 Apr, 2024

    a man sitting on a rock on a beach next to the ocean and a mountain range in the background, serial art, a character portrait, F. Scott Hess, promotional image

    Gary Dahl, a man in his 40s, was collecting rocks on a beach, inspired by a recent conversation with his friends about pets.

    a man sitting on a rock on the beach next to the ocean and rocks on the ground with a full moon in the background, serial art, a character portrait, F. Scott Hess, promotional image

    He worked diligently, selecting the smoothest, roundest rocks, envisioning them as the perfect, hassle-free pets. He named them PET ROCKs.

    a man holding a box of eggs on a city street with a store in the background and a cartoon of a man holding a box of eggs, ashcan school, a character portrait, Clark Voorhees, promotional image

    By the next year, Gary had sold a million PET ROCKs. However, the novelty wore off quickly and the sales dropped, leading to discontinuation of the product.

    a man standing in front of a pile of boxes on a city street with people walking around it and buildings in the background, underground comix, a character portrait, Arthur Adams, graphic novel

    Despite the setback, Gary remained proud of his unique creation. Little did he know that his PET ROCKs were destined to make a comeback.

    a man sitting on a grave in a cemetery with flowers around him and a cemetery in the background with trees and flowers, american realism, a character portrait, F. Scott Hess, promotional image

    In 2015, Gary Dahl passed away, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and innovation. His idea of PET ROCKs lived on, waiting for the right time to resurface.

    a bunch of minion characters sitting in a row in a movie theater with their mouths open and eyes wide open, incoherents, a microscopic photo, David Teniers III, yellow

    In 2023, the movie 'Minions: Rise Of Gru' was released. The film featured the lovable Minions and, to everyone's surprise, the long-forgotten PET ROCKs.

    a bunch of minion characters sitting in a row together in a movie theater with one person holding a remote, incoherents, a microscopic photo, David Teniers III, yellow

    The PET ROCKs played a significant role in the movie, captivating the audience with their simplicity and charm. This sparked a renewed interest in Gary's creation.

    a cartoon character is surrounded by many colorful eggs in a store aisle with shelves full of toys and toys, maximalism, a screenshot, Chris LaBrooy, criterion collection

    Soon after the movie's release, PET ROCKs were reintroduced in stores. Children were eager to own the same 'pet' their favorite Minions had in the movie.

    a group of people standing in a store filled with lots of rocks and rocks on shelves filled with stuffed animals, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, official art

    The PET ROCKs were a hit once again, this time with a whole new generation of kids. Gary's idea had found its way back, stronger than ever.

    a group of children playing with toys in a room with a bed and a window with a view of the outside, american scene painting, a digital rendering, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Every child treasured their PET ROCK, taking care of it with love and attention. Gary's legacy had once again brought joy to many households.

    a group of children playing with toys in a room with blue walls and pictures on the walls and a wooden floor, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, detailed illustration

    The PET ROCK was no longer just a rock; it was a companion, a friend, a symbol of joy. Its comeback had made it more special than ever.

    a child in a room with rocks and a panda in a bowl of rocks and a panda in a bowl of rocks, context art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, art station

    And so, the story of the PET ROCK continues, a tale of creativity, perseverance, and the power of simple ideas, touching hearts across generations.

    The Return of the PET ROCK

    AI Children’s Stories