"Children are the seeds of the future. Plant love in their hearts, water them with wisdom and life's lessons."
Episode 6: The fanboy
Morning, the time of rising from bed and preparing for another day of hard work. Villagers walked out of their homes with one last lingering yawn, remaining ounces of tiredness from their long nightly slumber. Approaching the valley's village market was a caravan. A family of merchants who have made their fortune from traveling the land to trade and sell goods of all kinds. Many small villages felt excited when these drifting sellers arrived at the towns, bringing many items and all kinds of merchandise from other cultures and cities.
The traveling wagon stopped and the father goose got off from the front. He checked the wooden wheels and the saw everything was working well. Then his wife and their whole family came out. The mother, father in law, two grown sons, a teenage daughter, and the last one out was a very young goose boy, only six years old. Together this large flock ran their family business, and often made good coin from their hard work.
"Boys, come help me put up the stands!" Yelled the father.
His sons came to help while their sister assisted their mother with her jewelry and home made goods that she would sell to the village's women.
But as she was sorting her things, she felt a tugging on her robe. She looked down and saw her young boy. She said "Huan what is it?"
Huan, her little boy said "Mom, is this the place where-"
But a voice shouted "Honey, We could use a hand here!"
"In a second!" The mother goose shouted to her husband. She looked down at her youngest son and said "I'm sorry Huan, we can play later, go be with gandpa ok?"
"But-" Huan said before being interrupted.
"No buts, got it?" The mother said while going to help her family.
Huan then went to join his grandpa, who was currently napping in his chair like always. His job was all the profits and money stuff, that and he's just lazy like that. Huan tried to play with the man, but he couldn't run or jump like he used to, so he stayed in his chair. After awhile the stands were set and the products and goods were ready for sale. But often Huan didn't have anyone to play with, since his siblings help with the selling and trading. But he was in a village, maybe he could find some kids to play with. So he waited until his grandpa was asleep again, and sneaked off to find some fun.
((()-()))
The front door of Shu's house opened and closed, and Erdan came out ready for another day in the valley. His eyes adjusted to the morning sun, he also relished in feeling to warn light on his face. But he had a job to get to, so he hurried on all fours towards Mr. Ping's noodle shop.
Erdan hurried down the street, on the way he saw the villagers. Goats, geese, and pigs. Plant eaters who like him, valued peace and harmony. But he suddenly stopped as he heard a cry for help. It came from an alley, so he rushed in to find a small goose boy being cornered by three pig boys. The goose looked around five or six, while the pigs were around twelve and eleven.
"What are you doing down here wimp?" Said one of the pigs.
But the goose was too afraid to answer. "I think he needs a lesson taught." One of the other pig boys replied.
The goose was shaking and crying as the pig boys got ready to torment the little boy. Each of the three lightly pounding their fists. But just a second later a voice form behind yelled "Hey!"
"Yeah, oh wa-" A pig said before realizing who joined them.
"How leave him alone." Erdan said while moving towards the bullies.
"Or what dog boy?" A pig yelled back.
Erdan then ran up and jumped over the pigs and landed by the goose, putting himself between the boy and the bullies.
"Hey uhh, I don't know about this." The third boy said nervously.
"There's three of us and one of him." The lead pig said.
"Yeah, but he's a wolf." The second pig shouted.
Erdan then made an fierce face, one that let them know he was serious. The head pig walked up to the lupine and said "What are you gonna do mutt? You gonna fight me?"
Erdan moved forward, making the pig boys pace back. He then grabbed their shirts with his paws and picked them up, with one in his right paw and two in his left. The pigs were struggling to break free, but Erdan was much stronger then them, even for his age. Meanwhile the goose boy could only look at what was happening.
Erdan looked at the pig bullies and boldly said "Let me be clear. I don't want any of you tormenting this little kid, or any others. Because if I do, you'll regret it. Understand?"
All at once the pig boys nodded, then Erdan put them down and they ran off, afraid to challenge their bigger, stronger opponent. Erdan then turned around and saw the goose kid and said "Are you ok?"
"I'm ok. Thank you." The goose said in a cute childish tone.
Erdan smiled and asked "What's your name?"
"Huan, my name is Huan." The goose answered.
"Well, Huan, my name is Erdan. Now be careful." Erdan said.
"I will. Thanks." Huan said as Erdan rushed to his job.
But little did he know that Huan was following him, keeping out of sight. After awhile, Erdan arrived at the noodle shop and begun his shift. Like every workday for the lupine, in the morning he helped make soup and food with Mr. Ping. And around eleven costumers arrived with hungry bellies. Erdan waited tables and brought orders. Delivering dishes and bowls of culinary joys. But as he walked in the dinning area, he noticed a pair of eyes watching him. He walked over and saw Huan at the entrane.
"Hello Huan." Erdan greeted with a smile.
"H-hi." Huan replied.
"What are you doing here?" Erdan asked.
"Umm… nothing." Huan answered before his tummy grumbled.
Hearing this Erdan asked "Hungry huh, want a bite to eat?"
Huan nodded and Erdan brought him to a table of his own. Erdan then made two meals and took his lunch break. He gave Huan a bowl of Ping's famous soup and a side of bread. Huan worried, since he didn't have any money, but Erdan reassured him, and said it was on the house.
As they ate Erdan talked with his young friend. "So Huan, where are your family?"
After taking a big slurp his broth, Huan replied. "My Mom, Dad, and brothers and sister are at the market."
"Are they shopping?" Erdan asked.
"Yeah and selling, we're merchants. We go from place to place to sell things." Huan explained.
Erdan was beginning to like the little boy. Huan then said "Thank you again, for helping me."
Erdan chuckled and said "Your welcome… again."
A voice shouted "Erdan get back to work, come on!"
Hearing Mr. Ping call for him, Erdan got back to his job. Huan said goodbye and left to return to his family. Later in the afternoon Huan sat by his family's stands, bored out of his mind. Although his parents promised they'd play with him later, he wanted to have fun now. So he snuck out again to find his new wolf friend. He walked through the village and saw Erdan heading up the big stone stairs.
As Erdan got ready to go up for training he heard "Erdan!"
He turned and saw Huan run up to him. "Uhh hi Huan." Erdan said
"Hi." Huan said back. "What are you doing?"
"I'm just about to head up to the palace." Erdan answered.
"Why?" Huan asked.
Erdan raised an eyebrow and said "Because it's where I train."
"Train?" Huan asked again.
"Yeah, I train in kung fu." Erdan replied.
"Wow, you're a kung fu warrior." Huan said with excitement.
"Well… kinda." Erdan said.
Huan, feeling excited asked "Can I come watch you train?"
"Uhhh… I don't know." Erdan said nervously.
"Please? Please? Please? Please? PLEASE?" Huan asked again and again.
Erdan thought about it for a second and asked "Don't you have to be with your family?"
"Their working, and I wana be with you." Huan asked before giving a cute sad look.
Erdan thought about it. He knew he would be late if he continued with this, so he agreed and let Huan ride on his shoulder. "Thank you soo much." Huan yelled, although it caused some ringing in Erdan's ear.
When they reached the top and the training hall, Huan got what he wanted. Although Erdan had to explain everything to Shifu, in the end he decided there was no harm in allowing the boy to come this one time. Huan got a front seat at seeing Erdan train. He saw the wolf boy perform punches and kicks, tackles and attacks. Then the boy was amazed when Erdna practiced with his bow and arrows, striking targets from afar. While Erdan took his beak, Huan kept asking him questions non stop. Like what his favorite food was, or what his favorite color is. At first Erdan didn't mind the kid's presence, but it didn't take long for the wolf boy to get annoyed by Huan's constant questions.
As Erdan was taking his break Po and the other masters arrived. Throughout the rest of Erdan's training Po tried to keep the goose boy off Erdan's back, but Huan was only interested in Erdan. That was strange since kids mostly liked Po or the Five. But Huan was only interested in his wolf friend. After a bit Erdan's training was done. But before he left, Po gave him his spare action figure. The panda wanted to make a few finishing touches to it. After his business was done, Erdan walked down the stairs with Huan following him.
"Erdan, why aren't you a master?" Huan asked.
"Because I'm not ready for it yet." Erdan answered in an aggravated tone.
"But why?" Huan asked.
"I don't know." Erdan said not thinking straight.
One after the other Huan asked question after question until finally Erdan couldn't take it anymore.
"Erdan, why is your tail-" Huan asked before.
"I don't know, ok. I don't know. Oh my gosh you've been bugging me all afternoon, will you please LEAVE ME ALONE!" Erdan shouted.
Huan, didn't reply. He just begun to cry and he ran off. At first, Erdna was glad to get the boy off his back. But a minute later he realized what he did. HE felt terrible at what he had done. That little boy only wanted to be with him. Erdan rushed to try to find the kid and apologize to him.
((()-()))
Huan ran into an alley and sat down and cried. He thought Erdan was his hero. But he thought heroes don't yell like what Erdan did. But the boy didn't realize he was in the same alley as three bull bandits. And they surrounded the poor boy.
Huan looked up and asked "Wh-who are you?"
One of the bulls asked "what do we do with him?"
The head bull said "I saw this kid with his merchant family, he'll make a good ransom ticket."
"Please, stay away, STAY AWAY!" Huan yelled as the bulls grabbed him.
But before he could be taken away, something rushed in and attacked the bull, forcing him to drop Huan. After a minute the goose boy noticed he was caught by Erdan. The wolf came to rescue him. But the bulls cornered them and Erdan told Huan to stay behind him. Erdan battled the bulls, using his kung fu and was able to knock out two of the three bulls. But Huan watched in horror as Erdan was then overpowered by the third goon. The head bull grabbed Erdan's neck and held him down, trying to choke the wolf to death. Huan couldn't just stand there. He knew that heroes help others. He saw a plank of wood and grabbed it. Erdan tried to use his claws to strike the bull's arms, but he was starting to pass out form the lack of oxagen. Then Huan took his plank and beated the bull in the legs. But it didn't stop him. Huan tried again, but lost his balance and hit the bull between the legs by accident.
The goon grabbed his privets while Erdan gained back his breath. Then he made his paw into a fist, and knocked the bull out clean. The wolf then sat down with his back against the wall and regained his breathing.
Huan said "Erdan are you ok?"
"Yes, yes I'm ok." Erdan said while breathing heavily. "Huan, I'm sorry, I'm so, soo sorry that I yelled at you. I'm sorry."
Huan smiled and replied "That's ok, I forgive you."
And Erdan smiled at the goose kid. Once Erdan gained back his breath, he had the Five take the bandits to prison.
Later, it became dusk and Erdan asked Huan "Why did you want to follow me all day?"
Huan then said "Because you're the coolest person ever. Even cooler then the Dragon Warrior!"
Erdan then s blushed a bit, surprised that someone would think he's more awesome the a legendary master hero.
Huan continued with "I mean, you're so awesome, you saved me twice, you know kung fu, you can fight bad guys and stuff!"
Erdan was baffled that he had a fan. Huan then said "When I grow up, I want to be an awesome wolf like you!"
Erdan then felt a little awkward and asked "But, you're a goose Huan."
"But I want to be a wolf like you when I grow up!" Huan said.
Erdan then knelt down, looked at the goose and said "You wanna know what I want?"
"What?" Huan asked.
"I want you to grow up, and be just like you." Erdan said.
"But, I'm just me." Huan said disappointingly.
"That's what I thought too, years ago. But you wanna know why I can do all that cool stuff?"
Huan nodded and Erdan answered "Because I discovered what I could do, what made me cool."
Huan then thought about it and said "Do you think, I could do cool stuff too?"
Erdan then smiled and replied "I'm sure you can do all kinds of awesome things, but only if you remember the secret to it."
"What's the secret?" Huan asked feeling all excited.
Erdan then answered "The secret is, to never forget, what makes you awesome." After saying that he put his figure on the boy's chest, showing Huan to always be himself.
But then Huan made a sad face, so Erdan asked "What's wrong?"
Huan then said while tearing up "My family is gonna leave first thing in the morning. I- I'm gonna miss you Erdan."
The little boy cried as Erdan tried to wipe away his tears. Then the lupine got an idea.
Before reaching into his backpack he said "I want you to have something Huan." He then pulled out the spare action figure Po had made. He gave it to Haun.
"I… I can have this." The little goose said, noticing it looked just like Erdan, with his bow and arrow, and a smile on the wooden figure's face.
"Yes, but only if you promise to take good care of it." Erdan replied.
"I will, I promise." Huan said with tears of joy. The little boy then hugged Erdan, and the lupine chuckled and hugged back. He wrapped his arms around the kid.
"Thank you Erdan. I'll never forget you." Huan said tearfully.
"I'll never forget you too, Huan." Erdan replied.
Afterwards their hug ended and Huan ran off with his new toy. But he looked back at Erdan and gave his best howl, and Erdan howled back. The two wishing each other goodbye. The next morning, Huan's family left the valley. It was still dark out, with only a half an hour before sunrise. But Huan slept peacefully, holding his Erdan action figure close. A toy he would always treasure and care for, as a reminder of the greatest kung fu warrior he ever met.
