imo, youre not missing anytihng to be found in the story. i thought it was the stupidest thing ever until it was explained because all i could interpret was that it was a piece denouncing the ways of modern, impersonal and capitalistic and industrial society. well great. i could do do the same thing in a lot less words. but when it was actually all ~explained~ to me, it just HIT. *BAM!* and its a story i love, now. i mean, i think its a tad long and repetitive, but the idea behind it?

i dunno. i could try to explain it the way it was explained to me, but id just blunder along like a fool. though if even after explaination, you dont like it, feel free to kick me until you feel better.