Carl & Perie. A short story from UNIVERSE X STUDIOS

Chapter three: The gift

The next day, the sun starts to rise from behind the hills. The sun makes the wet grass shine like gold, and the roosters from the nearby farm give attention to the morning. Mama birds fly from their nests, going to get food for their young. The suns light then starts to peak through Carls window, creating a warm atmosphere in his room. He slowly begins to wake up, rubbing his eyes and swallowing his spit, trying to get rid of his dry throat.

Carl gets out of his bed and takes off his nightwear, putting on his day clothes and heading downstairs. He finds his mom preparing the stove for breakfast. "Want to help me with breakfast dear?" She asks him. He gives a happy nod and goes to help her. While he does so he takes a look at the calendar and sees that it's Saturday! "Oh! I forgot today was Saturday!" he exclaimed. His mother laughs and says, "Yes! No school today." Carl becomes happier with the fact that there's no school today, because he can do more writing and drawing!

After breakfast Carl immediately goes to his room and starts to write up stories, mostly his odd dreams. Last night he dreamt about him befriending a group of dolphins. He himself thought it was quite silly, but he still wanted to write about it. He started writing, creating a tale of a man who raised dolphins from birth and when they grew up they became his loyal companions of the sea. Carl ended up being very into the story.

He started writing at 9:22 AM, and decided to take a break around 12:45 PM. He had wrote quite a bit, and his hand was very sore. He sat back and let his hand rest from the writing. He looked down at his story so far, and he was pleased with it. He then looked at the time, and remembered that he told Perie that he'd meet her again today. He didn't need to go now, but he didn't want to forget about it.

After Carl has lunch with his mother, she takes him out to the town to buy some food. They go to their usual pastry shop and get some bread and other baked goods. Carl looks out the window of the shop as his mother pays for the pastries. He sees humans and furmen walking up and down the streets, all dressed fancy and clean. He gave a little smile and scoffed, seeing how they still don't pay any mind to nature like he does. "You're missing out." He says to himself as he looks at the fancy crowd.

He then remembers Perie, and realizes that she is into nature like him. Even more than him because she seems to live in the forest! He chuckles to himself wondering how he didn't realize it before. He now sees that Perie and him must have a lot in common! Immediately he feels like he should make something for her. He never had a friend he actually could connect with before. He takes out his little notebook and pencil that he keeps on his person, just in case he wants to write or draw something.

Carl feels like drawing a nice picture of her, but then he remembers that he isn't good at drawing humans or animals, let alone furmen. He becomes a little disappointed, but then notices the pastry shop door. A little fox icon is engraved on the door. Carl then perks up again and tries to draw the icon, using it as a guide. He sketches the round oval that forms the head, and then uses quick strokes to mimic fur. He draws two big triangles to represent the ears and adds some fur on them.

He then finishes it off with the eyes and mouth, giving it the Perie look. He holds the notebook back and looks at it, feeling a rush of pride. He had never really drawn an animal that turned out good, and this drawing made him feel proud. He couldn't wait to show it to Perie.

Just then his mum tapped his shoulder, saying, "Come on honey! We must get these home for your father tonight." He looks to his mum and nods, putting away his notebook. Not before looking at the drawing one more time however. He then goes and walks with his mum, holding her hand. As they walk Carl thinks about his dad, he doesn't see him much anymore. When he was young his father used to take him for walks in the forest, but nowadays his is a busy man, gone for almost the whole day.

He starts to become a little saddened at this. He contemplates more on the fact that, his dad has become just like the other rich and fancy businessman who don't take a moment to enjoy nature. He looks up to his mum, asking, "Why does father work so long nowadays?" His mother looks down and becomes a little saddened as well, but tries to keep up a positive tone. "Well, your father just wants to take care of us, that's all. He's been given better opportunities that will help keep us in our nice little home!"

Carl looks at his mother, appreciating how he works hard to support them. but at the same time, he's still upset. "I wish I could see him more." He says in a sad tone. His mother holds his hand lovingly and responds, "Me too dear."