The Little Doctor

by Nyanora

(Based on the children's book The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery) The Doctor has regenerated into a young boy. "Then if a child comes to you, if he laughs, if he has red hair, if he doesn't answer your questions, you'll know who he is. If this should happen be kind! Don't let me go on being sad: send word that he's come back..."

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

It took me a long time to understand where he came from. The Little Doctor, who asked me so many questions, never seemed to hear the ones I asked him. It was things he said quite at random, bit by bit, explained everything. For instance, when he first caught sight of my airplane he asked:

"What kind of ship is that?"

"It's not a ship. It's an airplane. My airplane."

And I was proud to tell him I could fly. Then he exclaimed:

"What, you fell out the sky?"

"Yes," I said modestly.

"Oh! That's funny…And everyone used to complain about my driving…"

The Little Doctor broke into lovely peals of laughter, which annoyed me a good deal. I like my misfortunes to be taken seriously. Then he added, "I think I've met you before…What planet are you from?"

That was when I had the first clue to the mystery of his presence, and I questioned him sharply.

"Do you come from another planet?"

But he made no answer. He shook his head a little, still staring at my airplane.

"Oh, I must be going senile. Of course, it's an airplane…a normal human airplane…"

And he fell into a reverie that lasted a long while. Then taking my story out of his pocket, he plunged into contemplation of his treasure.

You can imagine how intrigued I was by this hint about "other planets." I tried to learn more:

"Where do you come from little fellow? Where is this 'ship' of yours? Where will you be taking that Graske?"

After a thoughtful silence he answered, "Graskes have a keen sense of direction. So, I'd never lose him."

"Of course. And we could hide a tracking device on him, just in case he decides to get into trouble," I joked.

The proposition seemed to shock the Little Doctor.

"Put a tracking device on my companion? What a funny idea!"

"But if you don't he'll wander off somewhere and get lost."

My friend burst out laughing again. "You have no idea…my ship could…"

"What's this? Don't tell me he'd get lost on your ship…"

The Little Doctor smiled nostalgically. Then he remarked quite seriously, "Some leave, some forget, and some get lost forever." And he added, perhaps a little sadly, "I've lost quite a few myself."

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Thank you so much for the kind reviews last chapter! I'm having lots of fun doing this adaption. Hopefully I don't let anyone down.

~Nyanora :3