Author's Note: I love you all! Thank you so much! When I got home this afternoon, I found FOUR reviews. One of them was even a threat if I didn't update soon! I love those, particularly when they're graphic...okay, so I'm a little weird. Anyway, I promised you a new chapter today, so here it is. Mini-dictionary: kilrah (KILL-rah) an Andalite unit of measure. 1kilrah=2 yards (or 6 ft)

Age: 4 (5 or 6)

Koari's Age: 5 (6 or 7)

8-At the Scoop

What should we do today?

We have been almost everywhere

Koari said dejectedly

pawing at the grass

We could go to my scoop

Mirian suggested

You have never been there and

you should see it

There is a stream nearby

and an old Garibah tree

and Mother still has some

illspar root left over from my birthday

You can have some with me

Koari agreed, surprised

by her sudden passion

as she talked of her home

Mirian, he had noticed,

used just a few words

to get her point across

Follow me

I will take you there

both children

set off into a canter

but the closer Mirian got

to her home,

the faster she ran

until Koari struggled to keep up

they arrived at a stream

surrounded by lush vegetation

a few moments later

This is my home

Mirian said simply

Koari looked to an ancient

Garibah tree, gnarled with time

nestled in the banks

of the swiftly running stream

he looked beyond it

a few kilrahs away

and saw a scoop there

shallowly cut into

rich, mahoghany soil

an Andalitewoman labored

diligently over an oval-shaped

garden built into the side

of a sloping hill

It is beautiful

Koari murmured

and admired the beauty

and tranquility of the scene

before asking

Is that your mother?

Mirian didn't answer, rather

saying in a loud, open

thought-speak

Mother!

Mirian

Mother looked up

from her garden

and saw Koari

and a smile came into her eyes

You have found a friend

Yes, Mother

This is Koari

Hello

she called

Mirian jogged up to her Mother,

leading Koari by the hand

I am Mirian's mother

the woman said

Hello

he replied

he liked Mirian's mother

her eyes were expressive

and her clear face showed an honest soul

Mirian says you have illspar root left

Koari said

Yes, Mother, may we have some?

Of course

it is by the fountain

Mirian went to get it

and Koari follwed

the Corintianas had

a small fountain

burbling up in a continuous,

peaceful motion

echoing the way

Koari was feeling

Mirian offered him the illspar root

and took some for herself

as Koari tasted his

Well

Mirian asked impatiently

How do you like it?

as he ate it, a sudden warmth

spread through his whole body

It is the best thing I have ever had

he said honestly

the comforting feel of the root

felt sweet in his stomach

they ate and talked

and Koari felt happier than

he had been in a long time

the simplicity of the day

washed away the worries

of the morning

he had spent studying

Mirian, however, had a question

in her mind

After this, may

we go to see your scoop?

the root turned sour

in Koari's stomach

at the question

No

was his first reply

Why not?

Mirian asked, startled by his response

Well

I suppose we could go

Koari amended uncomfortably

I would love to meet your parents

Mirian said in anticipation

meanwhile, Koari pushed

his root away

suddenly he wasn't hungry anymore