It was late afternoon, and two little boys were happily running across a vast prairie with long, soft grasses and millions of wildflowers. One boy was about 11 years old, the other 13.
"Hurry up, Eli! I know I saw that Squiglet hole around here somewhere!" said the younger boy, still running.
"Huff…huff…HUFF…could-could you maybe…huff…slow down…a little? I…huff…can't keep up with…you…huff…"The younger boy stopped running, and looked back at his older brother with an amused expression.
"You're already tired?" He nodded. "Well, that's pathetic. The squiglet hole is just down that hill; I bet I could beat you to it!" The older boy looked up.
"Are you kidding?" he said, as if he was never tired at all. "I could run all the way down, and you could hardly hope to pass the dust cloud I leave behind!"
"…Really?" He put his hands on his hips and smirked. "Would you like to test that theory?"
"Alright. On your mark…get set-"
"GOOO!" the younger one yelled, and bolted down the hill, leaving his brother confused for about two seconds before he ran after him.
"That was so unfair!"
"That's true, but that means it still works!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That I can still trick you into giving me a head start!"
They both laughed, and continued to race down the hill, whooping and giggling as they ran.
They finally reached the squiglet hole, with Eli being the victor.
"Phew…well, come on! It's over here!"
The two brothers walked over to the squiglet hole, kneeled down, and peered inside. One larger purple Squig was snuggled up against five littler pink Squiglets. The baby Squiglets were making soft whining noises and occasionally pawed at each other, wanting to keep warm.
Eli gasped. "Wow…there's a lot…"
"Isn't there? Squigs usually birth about four to six Sqiuglets per litter. I know all this because I read a lot about different creatures in my spare time. Like…Buzzy Beetles, and Piranha Plants, and Chain Chomps…it comes in handy sometimes." They continued to watch the Squiglets with amusement.
"…You can hold one, if you want. We just have to make them trust us first…" and he reached into his pocket and took out an apple and a pocket knife.
"…how in the world do you get outside with a pocket knife without the guards noticing?"
"Pfft…it's almost too easy to get past those paranoid meat-heads. They've got just as much wits as a Fuzzy."
He quietly slid the knife through the apple, and removed a small wedge-but enough for an average Squiglet family to share. He then slowly placed the wedge inside the hole, as not to frighten the newborns. The mother Squig cautiously sniffed the apple wedge until she decided it was safe to eat, and the Squiglets sleepily tottered over to the sweet fruit.
"I think they liked that." The mother Squig then walked up to the two, followed by the 5 Squiglets who were eagerly sniffing the brothers in hopes to get more food.
Then, ever so slowly, the younger boy reached down and pet one of the creatures on its furry little head. He carefully lifted it and held it lightly in his hands, then passed it to his brother. Eli's eyes widened at how soft the creatures fur was.
He smiled softly as it wiggled around in his hands. "Wow…"
"He likes you, Eli."
Then, the clock tower chimed.
Eli put the Squiglet down and got to his feet. "We should get going, Dimentio. Supper will be ready soon."
Dimentio nodded, put the rest of the apple into the Squiglet hole for them to eat, and got to his feet.
And, so, the two brothers walked, side by side, back to the kingdom in the distance. And all was at peace...for now.
