A/N: A collection of tales, fics and challenges in tribute to PoM.
Chapter 01: Private does not feel well and Kowalski tries to help (badly). Dedicated to L3, Ennui Enigma, MrsP and all PoM fans. This is heavily inspired by A. A. Milne's 'Sneezles', Mrspencil's 'A Study in Hurt/Comfort' post and the PoM 'High Moltage' episode.
The penguins do not belong to me.
Moulting Misunderstanding
Young Private was huffing and puffing
And did not feel right in the chest.
Kowalski concluded he should be secluded
To bed and a full week of rest.
~o~
Young Private began moaning and groaning;
He had a harsh pain in his side.
He felt terribly weak from his toes to his beak
(And could not stop scratching his hide!)
~o~
Kowalski felt Private's head and said, "Stay in your bed;
This does not look good, I'm afraid.
With no Skipper about and as Rico is out,
I alone will come to your aid."
~o~
He brought bottles of pills to fight Private's ills;
Ointments for stomach, hide and head.
He mixed them together to make Private better,
Heedless of bold warnings in red.
~o~
Unsure of diagnosis, he gave double doses
As his friend had started to wane.
Poor Private grew shaky, with limbs weak and achy
So Kowalski dosed him again.
~o~
Kowalski grew scared when temperature flared
And words became wheezes and coughs.
He held Private's flipper and coaxed him through fever
And patted his forehead with cloths.
~o~
To young Private's delight, he remained close all night;
Gave tender loving care, plus fuss.
And, though quite unaware, he gave Private a scare
By sharing ghost tales of a bus. [1]
~o~
He felt disbelief, which soon turned to grief,
When Private grew silent and still.
There was no sign or clue as to what he could do;
No cure in a lotion or pill.
~o~
Private suddenly wheezed, gave a rather loud sneeze
And feathers burst forth from his coat.
At the comical sight, Kowalski yelled in delight,
And swallowed the laugh in his throat.
~o~
"It is not so revolting, dear Private, you're moulting!
A typical cycle, my friend.
All will not be in vain, and with my great brain,
I'll soon have you back on the mend!"
~o~
Young Private declared he would not be impaired
If Kowalski just let him be.
"Though your efforts have shown what I always have known;
You do truly care about me."
End
A/N II: [1] The bus called Graveyard Eight.
Divides put between verses to, hopefully, make the post read better.