DISCLAIMER: This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability to do the same.

Chapter ten: Looking at the future

Strawberry Shortcake packed some sandwiches and brought them to the Market. It was almost lunch time, and she knew Orange Blossom and Blueberry Muffin had a lot of work. Blueberry Muffin has spent the two last weeks in Strawberryland to revitalize herself, but she has refused to stay idle. She knew Orange Blossom wouldn't spit on some help, and she asked her if she could be her aide. Orange Blossom agreed. Now, Blueberry's assignment was to survey the Berrykins working on the bookshelves. It seemed easy, but the Berrykins were numerous and fidgety and Blueberry didn't know which way to turn. There were so many things to check… When Strawberry arrived, the Market was a real hive of activity.

-Hello Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Blossom said when she saw her. "You can take lunch now!" she cried to the Berrykins, who immediately stopped everything they were doing are rushed out of the Store, carrying their lunchboxes, with cries of joy. At that very moment, they looked like children who were going to play in the playground, after school.

-They are cute, Strawberry noticed. "They are just so… childlike…"

-I swear they are absolutely devoted, Blueberry replied. "Even though they aren't berry mature, they always try to do their best".

-They are still berry young, Orange explained. "When they'll grow up…"

-When they'll grow up… Blueberry repeated dreamily. "When they'll grow up they won't need us anymore."

-We always will need our beloved Strawberry Shortcake; Orange chuckled, "Because she's always here for us when we need a helping hand, to share a secret or to be comforted, without asking anything in exchange".

-Oh, you're exaggerating, Strawberry said shyly.

-No Strawberry, you're really a true friend, Blueberry said firmly, hugging her.

-Well… I wanted to give you your sandwiches, but I had another question for you, Blueberry Muffin. Do you think the Berrykins are listening at us?

-They aren't, Blueberry answered.

Indeed, the Berrykins were chatting, comparing their sandwiches and laughing together. They weren't paying any attention to the three girls.

-How long are you…? Strawberry muttered.

-Ten weeks now, Blueberry muttered.

-You don't have many time left, Orange noticed. "You have barely more than a week now. You really need to make you decision, or it'll be too late".

Blueberry nodded.

-I wanted to give you a last advice, Strawberry said. "Yesterday, I was considering our childhood and I came to a conclusion. Do you want to hear it?"

-Yes, please.

-I came to the conclusion that Strawberryland is extremely attractive. Orange Blossom, you were living in a metropolis, and you accepted to definitively move into a tiny village lost in the middle of nowhere. Cherry Jam had friends, a job, a career-and she blew everything off to stay here. Apple Dumplin' was supposed to drop by to say hi, and she settled here. I wondered why."

-I think I already guessed why, Orange Blossom chuckled.

-In Strawberryland, nobody judges you. Nobody expects anything from you. You're free-all that you have to do is to be yourself. In Strawberryland, you can give the best of you. You're out of time, you have no reputation, no commitment, and you can do everything you want. Strawberryland is based on solidarity and will, and we all have the will to welcome everyone. You don't have to be rich; you don't have to be famous: Strawberryland is a breath of fresh air in the middle of a world of fuss and competition. Blueberry Muffin, if you choose to keep your baby, he'll or she'll be a Strawberrylander; and I promise he or she'll never have to answer to anyone for stemming from a flirt.

Blueberry Muffin nodded.

- I understand… she muttered.

-You feel good in Strawberryland, Orange concluded. "There's no pariah here. That's why people are luring: they feel fully accepted. Strawberryland is certainly one of the sweetest places in the world, but Blueberry and me we both want to make it even better."

-How? Strawberry asked.

-Hadn't you notice the Berrykins are all blue-collar workers or gardeners? Blueberry and me, we want to make them able to impose themselves thanks to a sound education. If we reach our goal, that means perfectly equal opportunities, they'll never be despised anymore.

-Well… maybe they just don't want to be educated? Strawberry purposed. "Maybe they like to live like that?"

-Please Strawberry, Blueberry sighed. "Orange told me the Berrykins have the reputation of being lazy, immature and silly among the humans."

-That's wrong! Strawberry cried. "That's… unfair!"

-We're in a stalemate, Blueberry summarized. "Either the Berrykins fight their bad reputation in the human's world, and they would need the education we offer; or they completely stop to mix shoulders with humans. What seems better?"

-In the first case, they become estranged from themselves; and in the second case, they decline, Strawberry noticed. "Hey, I found a third case. What if they choose to don't care about their reputation?"

-That's not the problem, Strawberry. We're not talking about Strawberryland's Berrykins, we're talking about every Berrykins, Orange replied. "The break is over!" She cried to the Berrykins. They packed up their lunchboxes and came back to the Store (Do I need to explain they were rather less enthusiastic?) "Don't wait for me, I'll be here in one moment."

-Orange, I understand this is your project, Strawberry said kindly. "But I have a question for you, Blueberry: Are you really determinate to help Orange?"

-Of course I am! Blueberry protested "Orange really makes a big effort for teaching the babies how to read and write-but they aren't even able to recite the alphabet. I can't let her handle things by herself!"

-Thank you Blueberry. A long evening is waiting for us tonight; don't forget we have to give them their lesson.

-Oh, Blueberry, I knew you are a faithful friend. But you didn't understand my question: Do you fully share Orange's point of view?

-Personally, I wonder why the Berrykins are fascinated by our world, Blueberry answered.

To be continued…