Tough times had hit France's working class hard. The revolution had succeeded, the king overthrown, but the new system of ruling was not much of an improvement. Their society was still classist and difficult for all.
It had hit one Moose Valblood so badly that he had resorted to the ways of the criminal. He had stole a pot of honey in an attempt to keep his family going, but alas, he was caught and sent off to be slave to the law for five years. He could hardly accept his fate and attempted to run, adding twelve more to his sentence.
Which brings us up to date with the story so far of a brave young mosquito in post-revolutionary Paris.
A fine morning- or at least, it would have been one had he not been soaking wet and so tired he could barely stand- it was when Officer Montgomery approached him.
"Prisoner 24601!" he barked, and Valblood obediently trotted over. "You are done here and are to be released on parole," Montgomery continued. "These papers brand you as a dangerous mosquito. A former convict. This is how you will pay. Nonetheless, you are free to go. But never forget, 24601..."
"I AM NOT A NUMBER, DUDE! MY NAME IS MOOSE VALBLOOD!"
"And mine is Layton Montgomery," the officer snarled. "Out of my sight, 24601."
Valblood wandered the countryside for many days, nobody providing him with food or shelter or even work, all because he had been branded a former convict. He looked all over for some form of respite from this hell but there was none.
Who'd have thought, he mused, that freedom would be so difficult.
He was giving up hope when he stumbled across a beautiful church. He stood in the shelter for a moment when suddenly, a figure appeared. He squinted. "Whoa, what happened to you, boy? You come inside for some recharging! I'm Bishop Lou Lo Duca." He led the perplexed Valblood inside and gave him food and a warm, dry bed.
"All right, rookie! You rest up real nice! You look like a tough boy who could really do some work for the country! Not gonna throw this one away!" With that, the bishop retreated out of the room.
Valblood was awoken before dawn by chirping birds and was suddenly overcome with an urge. He took a sack and filled it with as many things as would fit then flew for the door. However, his theft was not all fun and the sound of pumping blood in his ears. He was apprehended after just a fraction of a mile and brought back.
"What is the meaning of this?" Bishop Lou Lo Duca demanded.
"This fellow says you gave him the contents of this sack. This rotten, lying thief!" one of the authorities claimed.
Valblood looked down in shame, sure he was going to end up back where he came from after just a short burst of sweet freedom. But to his shock, the bishop covered for him.
"Of course I gave him those things...but dear Valblood, you forgot these!" The bishop handed over two beautiful silver candlesticks then turned to those who had caught him. "You may leave now," he told them, and so they did.
"Valblood, you have to use the things I am giving you to build an honest and good life," the bishop said. "On your way. And watch out. It is a dangerous world out there for a lost soul such as yourself."
Valblood thanked him and left, worrying frantically about how he could possibly get back on his feet. "No," he said quietly on the quiet path. "I WILL rebuild my life. This is the start of a whole new world. I am going to...like, change," he vowed to the wind. "I'm going to own a business! And the business shall be called..." He felt tears of joy run down his face. "Mooseblood!"