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Ewetopia, A Land Far From Normal - Chapter 5
By Marie Ellen Pacha
On the way home from the meeting Lamby was strangely subdued. At first Shepherd enjoyed the few moments of silence he had known in her presence, and then suddenly he realized that she had not bounded ahead in her usual fashion, nor stopped to sniff the air in front of Bob's shop.
"Are you feeling alright Lamby?' he asked rather seriously.
"Yes Sir, Shepherd Sir," she answered quietly.
"You don't seem quite yourself. Is there something you would like to talk about?" he answered puzzled.
She came to a complete stop and looked up at him, and a tear slowly trickled down her cheek. It was followed by another and then another, until he was quite afraid they would be standing in a mud puddle if he did not stop the flow.
"Why Lamby, whatever is the matter?" and he picked her up and gently hugged her.
"Shepherd, was it the backhoe, or the flamingo feather? Is that why you are leaving me?
He could barely hear her words through her sobs.
"Oh, you silly little lamb. It's not you at all, but a Shepherd has a duty to any and all who call him. This is my home and I would not leave if I did not have to. "
"But Shepherd, I STILL NEED YOU, and I know I don't act like it very often, but things scare me sometimes and ....and...., well, I feel safe with you here."
"Oh Lamby, I won't leave until you can handle things on your own, and you have other friends here now. They will guard you as well as I have," he answered quietly.
"I know they are my friends Shepherd, but they are not you, and it will not be the same without you. Something will always be missing. Just a few days ago, I was with Ewegenia and the rest of the flock, and I never expected my life to be so different. I don't think I could go back now, even if I knew where to find them, because I have changed somehow, and would not be content there any longer. I know better than to ask if you will come back to me, because I know that sometimes things just happen. But thinking of living here without you, makes something ache inside me," and she looked sadly up at him.
He hugged her a little tighter, knowing that she had stated the truth, and wondering how in such a short time he felt an ache inside at the thought of leaving her too. She fell asleep with her head on his shoulder, and he laid her softly on his pillow when they arrived back at the palace. She slept there with him watching over her until just before lunch time. Her body clock was EXTREMELY good at identifying meal times. Her eyes opened slowly and she saw his eyes upon her. She reached out with her hoof, and gently patted his hand.
"It will be okay Shepherd. I will guard the palace for you. And we will keep a light always lit, so you can find your way home," and she smiled. "Now, what are we having for lunch? I'm famished! And can I go visit the flamingoes after lunch if I promise NOT to pull any feathers or fall in the pond?"
He laughed, relieved to see part of her spirit returning, "Yes Lamby, if you promise to be careful. I think the flamingoes are going to rehearse for Eddie this afternoon, and you might enjoy watching them. And we are having a spinach soufflé for lunch. Go wash your hooves and it will be ready."
She slipped off his pillow, well aware of where she had been laying and began splashing gaily in the sink, until he placed her plate on the table. Then she clambered into her chair and ate quickly and with her usual enthusiasm (meaning that there were bits of soufflé in a three foot radius around her chair. Neatly wiping her muzzle with a napkin she politely asked, "May I be excused now please, Shepherd."
He nodded his head yes, staring at the table with a look akin to amazement. She slipped off her chair and hugged him gently at the knees before bounding out the door in the direction of the flamingo pond. He could hear music from the direction of the pond, so he knew Eddie was there working with the flamingoes and probably her cows, and he knew Lamby was in good hands. He concentrated on cleaning up the table, thinking perhaps he would need to order more mops.
Lamby meanwhile was having a great time watching Eddie and her troupe. The cows were being fitted for their costumes for the chorus line. It seemed that all of them had lied a wee bit about their measurements, and she was giggling as quietly as she could, while watching them try to squeeze into tutus of every imaginable shade, which had obviously all been made in at least one size too small. Eddie stood merely shaking her head, and sighing.
The flamingoes were doing stretching exercises, preparing for their performance in Swan Lake. Lamby was sitting on the woodpile waiting for the performance to begin, and as the music started was joined by the bats from the belfry, three frogs from the pond, and a funny little shape that looked rather like a lop sided pin cushion with a button nose, and two little eyes. As the rehearsal began, Lamby sat entranced, especially at the part where one of the flamingoes missed a step and they wound up in a tangle of wings and feathers and legs in the middle of the makeshift stage Shepherd had constructed for the rehearsal. She applauded vigorously as the performance ended, and the flamingoes, who were a bit vain if the truth be told, took bow after bow in appreciation.
Through out the performance Lamby had been chatting quietly with her prickly little companion, and discovered that he (his name was Herman, and he was a hedgehog) had wandered into the Hamlet quite by accident, having wandered away from his mother in the woods. Lamby told him about the modifications being made to the palace and assured him that there would be room for him. She invited him to come home with her for dinner and meet Shepherd.
"Eddie that was WONDERFUL." Lamby exclaimed as the flamingoes took their last bow. "I've never seen anything like that before!"
Eddie was busy gathering up the costumes and noting the adjustments necessary to each. "Why thank you Lamby, we're so happy you enjoyed it. I would stay longer and talk to you, but it appears I have some alterations to make."
Eddies arms were full of costumes and she didn't notice Herman who was moving at a rapid pace (for a hedgehog) trying to keep up with Lamby as Eddie escorted her back to the palace, as it was nearing supper time. Lamby measured time by the rumblings in her stomach, and she KNEW that it must be nearly time to eat again.
Eddie always dined with Shepherd on rehearsal nights, so she left the costumes on the porch and supervised as Lamby washed her hooves. She fluffed her fleece and retied her bow for her as well. Herman meanwhile climbed into a seat at the table, the only one that had been pulled out, as Shepherd had been sitting at the table earlier making a list of things that were needed for the additions.
Shepherd came in with Bob and Jack, arms full of treats from Jack's restaurant. Lamby sniffed with pleasure as they opened the cartons and set everything on the table. Everyone else was sitting at the table as Shepherd brought plates and silverware and as he started to settle into his chair, Lamby screamed, "SHEPHERD!" just as he screamed, "OWIE!!"
"Why you've squished Herman!"
"WHAT IS A HERMAN? AND HOW DID HE COME TO BE ON MY CHAIR! And why does it feel like I sat on a thorn bush?" Shepherd asked in a rush of words, as he peered at his chair.
"Herman is my new friend, and he has no place to live, and I thought there would be room for him here and NOW YOU HAVE SQUISHED HIM!" Lamby was MOST upset at the sight of her new friend curled up into a ball on Shepherd's chair.
"Why it's a little hedgehog!" Shepherd said, still gently rubbed his tush. "I'm sure he's not really hurt Lamby, I barely brushed against him. Thank God." Thinking that he could have been permanently disabled had he truly sat on Herman.
About that time, Herman opened one eye and peered up at Shepherd who smiled at him.
"How do you do Herman? It's a pleasure to meet you," and introductions were made all round the table.
"Of course he can stay here Lamby, but he will have to share your bed for now, and PLEASE, in the future notify me BEFORE I sit on your guests." Shepherd was thinking that a hedgehog on his pillow might be a little TOO uncomfortable. Having said that Shepherd pulled up a stool that put Herman at a level with the table and they began to eat.
Shepherd and Bob and Jack were busy discussing how the kitchen in the new palace was to be arranged, and Herman and Lamby were busy discussing what they should do that afternoon. She filled him in on the additions being made to the palace, and then interrupted Shepherd's conversation (politely, of course).
"Uhh...Shepherd Sir? Would it be alright if I ordered some things from the catalog for my new room, for decorations and such?"
"Why of course Lamby, that's what it is for," he answered, knowing full well that that would keep her quietly occupied for some time. "I'll give it to you as soon as the table is cleared off."
"Where shall I put the things I order until my new room is finished," she asked.
"Hmmmm, I suppose we had best make a spot for you in the closet, but you must PROMISE to never go beyond that spot. Will you do that?" he spoke quite seriously.
"Yes Sir! Shepherd Sir!" and she very nearly saluted him
Shepherd and the gentlemen cleared the table, and cleaned up the food Lamby had managed to splatter on the ceiling, and Lamby and Herman began making a list from the catalog.
Bob and Jack left and Shepherd watched as Lamby and Herman's eyes began to glaze over from a long day's activities. He VERY carefully picked up Herman and set him in Lamby's bed, and she curled up next to him and faded into dreamland as Shepherd sang them a lullaby.
Shepherd turned off the lights remaining and rested his head on his pillow, praying that Herman would at least stay in Lamby's bed.
Note from the town crier: Jack and Bob reported to me about Herman's arrival in our hamlet, and the events of the evening. When I heard that Shepherd had told Lamby that she could order from the catalog I thought he must have finally crossed over the line to Whimsey. Either that or he had never looked through the entire catalog, specifically the section marked armaments. I made a note to speak to him about it the next day, but unfortunately there was MORE excitement in our little community and I lost my note. More about that tomorrow, which is as we know, is just another day.
Continue to Chapter 6
This article is © copyrighted by Marie Ellen Pacha. Any use of this article, in full or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission from Marie Ellen Pacha.
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