The Stuff of Dreams

Return of the Tiger

Lately, Po had been working very hard on his two books. The book of short stories he made was done pretty easily, but the other required more focus. And it started to get concerning. His eyes were heavy from the loss of sleep, he was always writing, reading, or researching,–making for an interesting search history–and interactions with people started to get short, brief, and to the point. There was even one incident that made Mei nervous.

One day, Po came home and rushed to his room where he sat writing and reading for three hours. Mei stepped into his room. "Po, um... food's on the table."

"Okay, I'll get it in a moment," The panda replied.

"Po, it's been three hours," Mei said. "Please take a rest."

"I can't right now. I promise I'll stop once this part is finished."

"And when is that?"

"I don't know. Look, it's nothing to worry about. Just give me some time, okay?"

Mei carefully walked up to him. "Po, I'm worried."

"Well, don't," He grunted back.

"Just take a break, Po. It'll be there when you get back. I haven't seen you like this before. Please, just get some rest."

"I'll get to it. Now, please just let me work."

"Po."

"MEI JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Po shouted. Mei stumbled back. Her bottom lip quivered. "Mei... I'm... I'm so so sorry. You're right. I should take a break," He sighed, but he went right back to work when he was done with his food.

***********************************************

"He almost reminds me of you," Crane mumbled to Tai-Lung at his house. The snow leopard grumbled as Mei brought his papers to him.

"Thank you, Mei."

"By the way, what happened with your mother? I mean, why did you bring her over?" Crane asked.

Tai-Lung put the tea down and sighed, "Well, Mei talked to me about how important it was to have a relationship with my parents and voice out my struggles. It was hard, but... I realized that a lot of what they did, they did because they wanted to test me, to build me up to what would happen. I guess it's because of them that I'm such an accomplished writer and a business investor."

"So they... tested you?" Crane asked.

"And others," Mei grumbled under her breath. Crane looked to Tai-Lung for an answer, but the snow leopard just shrugged.

"Anyway, we actually had a one on one talk and..." Tai-Lung paused like an immense burden was on his heart. "It... was hard. Before, I was prideful, but when that was gone... It felt like I was just standing naked before them. But... I also felt stronger because of it." Tai-Lung shut his eyes until a gentle hand rested on his shoulder. He looked and Mei smiled at him as she took up his cup. "Anyway, that's why she came."

"Wow, I can't imagine what that's like."

"But the more important thing is Po's behavior. He shouldn't be like this," Tai-Lung muttered. He pressed a finger to his chin.

"He said he already sent in a book to the publisher, the short stories," Crane said. "Why is he so worried about this one?"

"Because he's putting all of himself into it," Tai-Lung sighed. "I just hope he's going to be alright when things don't go his way." He looked back to the kitchen. "What about you, Mei? Has he been... okay?"

"...Kinda," Mei said.

"Mei, what's wrong?" Tai-Lung asked. Mei sighed.

"He... snapped at me one time for interrupting him." Tai-Lung glared. "But he apologized afterward. I know he didn't mean it."