The Panda and the Turtle (Book 2)

Chapter 14: Back Home

Back at the Valley of Peace, things were going well except for one place. At Mr. Ping's noodle shop, a mother pig confronted the goose as her young son sniffled on the verge of tears.

"What do you mean they're not here?!" The mother pig asked. "It's my son's birthday! All he wanted was to meet the Dragon Warrior and the Turtle Sorceress!"

"How about some tofu birthday cake, instead?" Mr. Ping suggested.

"You know what... we'll try again some other time." The mother pig said. "When do you think they'll be back?"

The words broke Mr. Ping's heart. Before they knew it, he was in tears.

"I don't know, okay, I DON'T KNOW! Maybe never! I mean, I worry, okay, I'm his dad... or at least I was his dad..." Mr. Ping cried, before he flung himself across the table. "Why did he have to go and save China... I know why, but why?" He sniffed. "My little panda..."

Suddenly, the pig child began to laugh happily at something behind Mr. Ping. The goose got up, turned around... and was overjoyed to see his son, who stood just inside the entrance to the shop, as he and Vee held three radish baskets. Mr. Ping yelled in delight and rushed to his son, as he gave him a huge hug. After a moment, Mr. Ping slid back down and looked up at Po.

"So how did it go?" Mr. Ping asked. "Did you save China?"

"Yep." Po replied.

"I knew you would... that's why I had these new posters made..." Mr Ping said, as he pull out a poster of Po. "My son saved China. You too can save, buy one dumpling get one free!"

"Nice." Vee commented.

"Hey, that's a pretty good deal." Po agreed.

"Would you like to try one?" Mr. Ping asked.

"Maybe later." Po replied, as he set down the baskets. "...there's something I should tell you two."

Vee set down her basket and paid attention while Mr. Ping gulped.

"While I was gone... I found the village where I was born... I found out how I ended up in that radish basket." Po said to Mr. Ping.

"You did?" Mr Ping asked.

"I know who I am." Po continued, then looked at Vee. "And who I am to you."

"You do?" Mr. Ping said, barely speaking.

"What's that?" Vee asked.

A beat...

"...I'm your son and you're my family too." Po replied as he looked at Mr. Ping and Vee.

The three embrace lovingly.

"I love you, guys." Po said.

"We love you too, son." Mr. Ping replied.

Vee let a happy tear fall off her face as she had found what she needed again after a long time: a second chance.

They continued to embrace... and then Mr. Ping leapt out of Po's arms and examined the radish crates.

"Ahhh! Delicious, fat radishes!" Mr. Ping smiled, as he picked up one of the baskets and began to take it to the kitchen. "You're probably hungry, let me make you something to eat!"

"What are you talking about? I'll cook!" Po said, as he and Vee picked up the other basket and followed.

Po pat the pig child on the head as he passed and Vee gave the pig child a hug before she followed after the two.

"No, I'll cook." Mr. Ping stated.

"Dad..." Po said.

"It's the least I can do, you saved China." Mr. Ping added.

"It's the least I can do, you raised me." Po said.

As he said this, he pulled his childhood toy from the basket and balanced it on top.

"Po..." Mr. Ping said.

"Dad..." Po said.

"Po..." Mr. Ping said.

"Okay, why don't you both cook together?" Vee suggested.

"Together... no, I'll cook!" Mr. Ping said.

They laughed as they stepped inside the kitchen.

"You're handling dish duty." Vee joked to Po.

"Thumb war wager for position?" Po suggested.

"You're on." Vee replied.

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Meanwhile, somewhere in the mountains far away from the valley. In a little shrine-like structure, a circular shape enshrouded in a green robe sat. The shape suddenly stood up, and was revealed to be a male panda.

"My son is alive..." The panda said.

He stepped out of the shrine and looked down upon a small forming village, which was populated by pandas just like himself. The pandas below caught his gaze.

The End.