Chapter 1
I've never exactly had a place to call home. I've never been around quite long enough to make it. Yet, it is something that I love dearly. I love having a home, it is something dear to me that may not exist in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense, home exists in the heart.
Guten toch, Tuuliki Marsaw, my name is Jatuk, and I'm a wizard, one would say. I do perform magic, yet the magic I know of, exists in wisdom and love. I love seeing my friends happy, even if it means self-deprecation, and an immense amount of kindness, even "pushover" like quality. While love and wisdom are nice, analytics and intellectual prowess is important as well. If one is stressed, they should think their way through their process. It'll be alright.
There is someone I love helping through wisdom, and altruism. He has grown up in the forests of Moominvalley. While, his house is lonely now because his parents…Moominmama, and Moominpapa, are deceased, he still remains the curious, loving, and wondrous Moomin he always has been. While still a young, teenaged Moomin, he is mature, intelligent in the way of love, and understanding.
While the clock read 7:46, I knew my Moomintroll, my best friend was still sleeping. I made some red, curry porridge, as some sat on the stovetop. While I made my porridge, feeding the fishes in my bowl, I looked around, seeing Moomintroll come in. "Hello, my boy". I said, gently. I smiled a gentle smile, while softness remained against my white, plain beard. I often wore a robe, complete with suit pants, and a shiny belt I often wore in attire when I worked in the office position.
"How are you, my son?". "Tarsuk Anliy wis montu?". I asked, gently with soft, rasp behind my voice. Moomintroll looked up at me with some sadness in his eyes. "Ok". Moomintroll said, sniffling. "You sound pensive, my boy". I said, gently with softness as Moomintroll sniffled. "Well, I've just been thinking about my parents….and my mama and papa, I guess I miss them". "I want my parents". Moomintroll said, with sorrow and dissonance to his voice.
"I understand". I said, gently with softness. "I know your parents were special to you in many ways". "I'm sure they meant a lot to you". "Usually, a child that's close to their ma and pa, are the ones that were nurtured in essence by them, from the time they were born". "I know Mama and Papa nurtured you, gave you kisses, nuzzled you, and gave you love". "I know with the proper nurturing and love, you were in a good place". "Nurturing is a crucial time for a baby to grow and develop". "That, and you were close with your parents even from the beginning". "Loss is a sad thing to endure". "I've endured loss myself at one point in time". I was gentle, and kind to my Moomintroll.
Moomintroll lifted his sad eyes, seeing me, as he tried to relate. "You have?". Moomintroll asked. "Yes, I have, my boy". I said, gently with softness. "I've experienced perhaps the worst of losses at a young boy". "I've lost my parents at age 9, and while I've moved on, it has been difficult".
"Loss is difficult, traumatic, and unforeseen". "The worst thing is being cut off from the natural source of our development, and growth as a person, and as a body that needs the founding principle throughout our life's journey". "As a child, it's harder because we no longer have the natural source". "We need to learn to grow up without it". I said, gently. I smiled a kind smile.
"I grew up without parents, and while it was traumatic, while it was hard, I met the love of my life, and settled down". "Life is a hard thing, but with the proper person and love, we can do anything". I said, gently. "We have life and love". "Nothing else to distract us".
I smiled a gentle smile, holding my Moomintroll's hands, kindly. "I get distracted quite easily by things that are shiny, or smell like chocolate". Moomintroll and I laughed. "I do mean what I say, however". "I love who I'm with, I love my life, deeply, and I love the experiences I've had throughout my life, and at the end of the day, I love who I am". I said, gently. "The love I've been exacted to carry with me, even throughout the negative experiences, is something that has given me hope, and optimism". "That is something you and I have in common, now". "We're both optimists that have survived". I smiled another kind smile, knowing my comparison was a bit much for Moomintroll. Maybe he didn't think it was correct, or maybe I needed to back off a little, but luckily for me, Moomintroll smiled a bit, agreeing. A happiness seemed to carry itself across his face.
"I guess that is true". My Moomintroll said. "I'm a survivor now more than ever, because I do what I can, and even though I receive help from Madame Fillyjonk, and T.S. Elliot, I am someone that is self-reliant".
"I was self-reliant when I was young as well". I said, gently, as I put aside the porridge, taking out a long, (well, perhaps one would say it is short), white sticks with the brown part at the end, called a cigarette. It's what the young people are smoking now, and it is much more efficient than a pipe. I lit the brown part, smoking my cigarette. "I was self-reliant, but then I met my wife". "After that moment, I became dependent on her for much of everything". "I knew my wife needed someone to allure her in some manner". I said, gently. "Maybe". Moomintroll said. We both laughed. "But when you're left to your own devices, you do tend to become a bit more self-reliant". I said, gently. Moomintroll and I agreed. "I suppose a bit of responsibility doesn't harm us".
"I guess not". Moomintroll said. "But anyway, how have things been going with Madame Fillyjonk?". I asked, gently. I smoked my cigarette, puffing out a bit of the smoke. "Things are fine, I believe". Moomintroll said. "I usually do what I need to, follow the rules, and keep my head down". "Madame Fillyjonk is nice, yet she's not the same as my mama and papa".
"I understand". I said, gently. "Women can sometimes be temperamental in nature". "A true man knows that while she needs the assurance, and balance of an important aggrandizement, he is the provider of wisdom, and strength". "Feed a woman, and she'll give you her love, because you both need it". "A man needs it to be wise". I smoked my cigarette. "A woman needs it to stay strong in her journey to the top".
"So, you're advising that I be nice to Madame Fillyjonk?". Moomintroll asked. I rubbed my beard a bit, as I puffed out more cigarette smoke. "Perchance, I'm advising that you think about what she might need, in order to believe she's right". I said, gently. "She is a strict, adverse woman". "But there's no need to be afraid of women". "We usually need them to get us out of trouble".
"True". Moomintroll said. "I've needed the Snork Maiden a few times". "But I can still be independent".
"I was just lucky my wife let me out of the house in our day, in order to earn my allowance". I said, gently, chuckling. "That, and she usually let me buy some tobacco, in order to smoke when I had a moment to myself".
"I guess". Moomintroll said, looking off to the side. I would imagine he was rolling his eyes. Something of that nature. He seemed a bit, put off.
"Well, I'm glad you're doing well with Madame Fillyjonk, and her husband". I said, gently. "She is a lovely young woman, I hear her children are doing well". "Your happiness is all that matters, my boy".
"How are you with everything else?". "Emotionally?". "Everything going alright?". I was gentle, and understanding towards my Moomintroll. "Everything is fine". Moomintroll said. "I still visit my mama and papa's grave every now and again". "There's nothing wrong with it, I just put down a few flowers to make the grave look nice". "The Mausoleum looks ok".
"I'm sure the Mausoleum looks spectacular". I said, gently. "A man needs his palace to look nice for the potential suitors to come to it".
"What potential suitors?". Moomintroll asked, with a wag of his head. "Well, you have Snorkmaiden as of now, but later on, you might have other dear girls that may compete to be your queen". "You are a handsome man". I said, gently. "My hummana, hummana, hunk of cutie". I smiled a gentle smile, chuckling as I said this. This may sound foolish, but I did make a sound effect with it. Us men are usually childish, when we're not applying our analytical sides. "Perhaps not the likeness". Moomintroll said, as he turned away. I did see a smile come to his face. He may have turned pink in the face from either embarrassment or laughter. "Come now, ol' chap, lionhearted, smile for me". "Show me a happy face". "I'll show you mine". I said, gently, as I put my cigarette aside, tickling Moomintroll. Moomintroll seemed to laugh. We both laughed, as we felt comfort in one another. "Well, I am happier now that I am with Snork Maiden". "She seems to be a nice source of love, and peace for me". Moomintroll said. "I like taking walks with her, having long conversations with her, and doing good deeds for her".
"Well, I'm happy for you, my boy". I said, gently. "I'm very glad you found someone that makes you feel a content feeling, a pink feeling inside". "I wish you and your familiar all the very best". I smiled a gentle smile, rubbing Moomintroll's back, gently. "Your darling seems to treat you well". "As long as she still does, I'm impressed". I smoked my cigarette, letting the nicotine seep into my lungs, onto my somewhat black tongue as I took in the candy-coated, sticky, nuanced flavor of nicotine. It was much like that of flavored taffy for the tongue, the taffy that would kiss you, and seep into you, giving your tummy a warm feeling as it stuck, colloquially. I loved my nicotine, even as I kept taking it in with every inhale, and exhale of smoke. Mmm, nicotine, green tar, green taffy for the tongue, taffy, and energy for the brain.
"How wonderful, indeed". I said, smiling, as a cloud of ashen smoke surrounded Moomintroll and I. "I guess…..I guess Snork Maiden doesn't know how hard I try to keep everyone's memory alive, and do what I can to make everyone happy". Moomintroll said.
"Why wouldn't Snork Maiden know, my boy?". I asked, gently as I smoked. "Did you profess how you felt?".
"No, I'm too nervous because….because I don't know if she'll try to help". "I don't know what happens if she does". "I'm kind of scared". Moomintroll said. "I'm sure if you love her that much, and care for her, she'll understand". I said, gently. "Sometimes, the best way to your love's heart, and understanding is through talk". "I would talk to her, just talk, share your feelings, and know that with love, and friendship, anything is possible". "She is someone that loves you for being true to who you are, and who you've become". "You are a mature, strong, intelligent young man who can do anything". "You've inherited your parents' curiosity, strength, and kindness". "You are ready for this part of your journey". "Never to worry, Poika". "I'm beside you for all of it". "You are ready, for love".
"I am?". Moomintroll asked. "You are". I said, gently nodding. "A new relationship, a loving, intimate relationship is one that is exciting, thrilling, and amazing by all essences". "To kiss a woman, to feel her lips, to hug, to hold hands, is a new, exciting, wonderful thing". "For us men, women are exciting, and can make us feel a plethora of different things". "But usually, we have to be mindful of how much feeling can come to us". "We're usually quicker to feel those things, than women are". "It is like a race, it can be compared to".
"We're usually ahead, and we travel pretty fast, but sometimes, if someone else, (a woman in this case) is behind, we usually have to wait for her to catch up". "If we're too quick, if we move too fast, a woman can feel scared, or uncomfortable, and there's usually no point in trying when that happens".
"Pleasure is something that just comes". "Attraction just comes, but when we talk to a woman, just talk to her, we can compromise, and understand what her feelings are, what she's comfy with in that moment". "Love works on chivalry, and compromise". "Never on impulse". "Be gentle with a woman". I said, gently.
"So if I talk to Snork Maiden, she'll understand?". Moomintroll asked. "She will understand, if you're diplomatic, and if you're loving towards her". I said, gently. "She will be ok, if you both are of mutual understanding". "If you love her, put her on a pedestal". I tapped ash from my cigarette. (apparently, that's the one fallacy of having a cigarette. You have to tap the ash out).
"That's what I conceded with my wife, and we both loved one another so much, it was like we were dating". "We dated for a long time before marrying, even if I married at 17". I said, gently.
"We both loved one another with puppy love, and an affection that granted us the romance to accomplish anything, because we had". "Even in previous times we had been given the faith, and the renewal to accomplish anything we wished to". "We were fortunate, her and I".
I blew out some more smoke, tapping the ash from my cigarette into the ashtray. Some ash was caught in my beard, but I quickly flicked it away. Some dried ash usually gets stuck in my beard. "I married my wife in 27, and we were content here in the forest, we usually just did what we could, we were childless, but we spent a formidable amount of time together, and made do with what we had". "We were a couple of few things, rather, more experiences, and shared knowledge". I said, gently. "We were amazed by what we were able to accomplish, and what we were able to know throughout our time being married".
"Is she still alive?". Moomintroll asked, looking upwards. "Well, unfortunately, she passed a few years ago". "She was pretty young, only 67". I said, gently. "She was doing well, until she had cancer". "It was something that was beyond her control, something she couldn't handle".
"I miss her dearly, but, well, health problems are problems". "It is a dark occurrence". I said, gently. I sighed as I said this. Looking around, I felt more and more dismal, yet it went away quite quickly.
"As previously mentioned, we are survivors". I said, gently. Moomintroll and I laughed. "We survived almost everything, from death, to abrasiveness, to a boring schoolroom complete with lessons we don't wish to know". I said, gently, as I smiled a cunning smile to my Moomintroll. "School is boring, isn't it?". I said, as I chuckled a bit. "Kind of, I always thought it was fine". Moomintroll said. "School is the epitome of needless things". I said, gently. "I always failed all of my exams, and tests on the blackboard when I was in school". "I perhaps didn't apply myself, or I gave up easily".
"I think perhaps it's a case of bad luck". Moomintroll explained. "Perchance?". "I always thought it was lack of effort". I said, gently.
"Oh well, whatever it was, I had no interest". I said, gently. "Nothing to see here, move along!". Moomintroll and I laughed again. We were copesthetic in our laughter. "Well, son". "As one can see, we're very similar". I observed, gently. "Two peas in a pod, two frogs on the same lillipad, and a candle to light our way".
"I believe we are". Moomintroll said. I glanced around, smoking the last bit of my cigarette. "Well, my boy". "Did you come to do some chores with me?". "Perchance I need some help". I said, gently.
"I can help you". Moomintroll said, as he glanced around. "It would give me some use".
"Well, perchance we can see about making some more porridge". I said, kindly. "Porridge would be good for this afternoon". "Allow me to show you how to make it". I came over to the stove, turning it on. "Now, let us stir, and put in the ingredients for red curry, which takes a bit of paprika, some oregano for flavor, and some salt for flavor as well". I said, instructing my Moomintroll, kindly. My voice, coated in rasp, and depth, surrounded Moomintroll, a man's voice, coated, and surly in wisdom as well as intellect, with gentle coaxing. A man is gentle, and nurturing to his fellow man. "Very good, my boy". "You are doing so well with stirring the pot". I said, gently, with kindness. "How about that, lunch for you, and I". "We are copesthetic". I smiled a gentle smile to Moomintroll as he stirred. "Now, we are ready to serve our porridge". "I have two bowls for you and I". "These fine China bowls will be perfect for us".
I rubbed my Moomintroll's back, gently. Moomintroll had sadness in his eyes as he looked at his porridge. "Is everything alright, my Poika?". I asked, gently. "Kind of". Moomintroll said. "I just miss my parents, my mama and papa".
"I know it's been a hard year for you, my boy". I said, gently. "Sometimes, things happen we don't expect, but you will always carry your parents' memory within you". "Your mama and papa will always be by your side". "They love you more than anyone". "A child's relationship with the birth parent is the most important thing". "Your birth parents loved you, deeply". "A parent's love for their young is unwavering, even if they are in a different place". "When your Mama first had you, she licked your head to clean you, your fur, as she nuzzled you, lovingly". "She gave you milk, touched you, sang to you, kissed you, and made sure you were safe as her son, her baby". I said, kindly.
"Then when you were little, she taught you how to walk, how to run, she was beside you for every milestone". "Much like your parents, you are resourceful, adventurous, curious, and loving". I said, gently. "Much like mama and papa, your kindness, and high intellect has changed the world, and will influence, as well as inspire the world". "You can do anything". I smiled a gentle smile as Moomintroll and I dined. "My papa was in an orphanage because his mom died". Moomintroll said. "But he went on so many adventures, and wrote a lot of memoirs". "My papa was someone that…..that allowed me to come out of my comfort zone, and be who I wanted to be". "I loved my papa". "I went on the Oshun Oxtra with him, I went to the sea with him, I met the Joxter and Mymble before they all passed". "We went on a lot of trips".
"I'm sure you did, your papa yearned for excitement, and the freedom to be who he was destined to be". "He valued freedom and love more than anything". "Your papa was someone we loved, dearly". "You're someone we love dearly because you, like Moominpapa, will influence and inspire the world". "You are the love of our valley, and the hope to continue being effervescent in nature". "The world is a better place, because you are in it". "You can do anything". I said, gently. "I know you miss Mama and Papa, but remember that they will always be able to visit, even if they are in a different place". "We can be anyone we wish, because our parents are the ones that give us gifts". "In our minds, in our hearts, and on our lips, are our parents with us". "Anything we accomplish, we can do thanks to our parents".
I smiled a kind smile, as Moomintroll nodded, eating his porridge. "What was my mama like?". Moomintroll asked, as he looked up at me. "Your mama was someone with a lot of kindness, a lot of friendliness, and love". "If someone was having a rough day, she would support them". I said, gently. "Your Moominmama was someone special, in truth". "She loved having you as her son". "You are a lot like her as well, brave, kind, strong, and loving". "You can do anything, my Moomintroll". I smiled a gentle smile.
"I remember when you were just a baby Moomin, you looked up at your Moominmamma for the first time, you laughed, smiled, and played". "Your wish was to be beside her, and follow her example". "You loved Moominmamma, you loved being hugged, being kissed, and being held close by your mamma". "When you were just a baby, you always snuggled by your mamma, looking to be nuzzled, or licked". I said, gently. "Then as you grew older, you looked to be told bedtime stories, be kissed, and learn from your mamma". "You did, you grew into a curious, strong, loving, insightful Moomin, because you had Mamma and Pappa".
"I did, and I hope to become an adventurer just like my Pappa". My Moomintroll said. "I want to be just like my mamma and pappa".
"Mamma and pappa love you, dearly, my boy". I said, gently. I took one more bite of my porridge, watching the birds through the window. "The most crucial relationship of any child, of any person, is that of them, and their birth parents". "When a baby is born, the baby needs their birth mother's milk, nurturing, touch, hug, and kiss in order to thrive, and develop". "Most of all, the baby needs their birth mother's love, and acceptance".
"When you were born, you had that, you became a fine young man, because the relationship between you, and your Mamma and Pappa was so strong". "You thrived, and changed the world for good". I said, gently.
"You became great because you had a healthy start". I said, kindly. I ate my porridge bowl, (well, the porridge in the bowl), as I spoke softly, gently, and with kindness. Though Moomintroll perked up in curiosity. "What about babies who didn't start healthy?". "The babies that lost their birth mothers, and are orphans at the beginning?". Moomintroll asked. "Sometimes, it can happen to small babies, after they're born". I said, gently. "Sometimes, it can be harder on them without the love, and strength of a family". "The babies are suffering, developmentally because they've experienced harder things".
"Your pappa had a hard beginning when he lost his birth mother". I said, gently, rubbing Moomintroll's back. "He did". My Moomintroll said. "His birth mamma died when he was a baby, and he grew up in an orphanage run by the mean Hemulen headmistress". "My pappa wanted adventure, and a life where he could do what he wished". "He and Hodgkin ran away from the orphanage, and did what they wanted". "I guess…I guess they did what they did, and eventually my pappa met my mamma, married, and had me".
"I love my mamma and pappa". "I want them to come back". Moomintroll said, sniffling. "I understand, son". I said, gently with softness. "What was your best memory with your mama and papa?". I asked with kindness. "Were you ok?".
"I remember going on adventures with them to the Scandinavian Sea, and growing flowers near the lighthouse my papa kept". Moomintroll said. "I remember my Mama kissing me on the cheek, and telling me stories, I remember my papa telling me about love, and kindness, that a true man keeps his composure, and knows that everything, everyone is bright and beautiful". "My papa was an amazing man". "He knew a lot".
"I miss my papa". Moomin said, sniffling. "I know you do, son". I said, gently, rubbing my Moomintroll's back. "I wish I could bring him back, as well". "Parents are a gift to a child, a child is a gift to their parents". I said, gently. "One day, we will see them again, if we are fortunate enough to be allowed in the kingdom of God".
"Don't be saddened, my boy". "Know that with every breath, with every decision, every loving quality you feel towards the Snork Maiden, your parents are beside you, giving you the love you need, desperately". "Mother and father can surprise you in many ways". "They'll surprise you by being there, when you least expect them". I said, gently.
"Your parents are forever beside you, my boy". "You are surrounded by their love, and care". "God has brought them to you, even if they aren't seen". I smiled a gentle smile. "I know". Moomintroll said. Moomintroll sniffled as he glanced down at his paw. He had finished his porridge. "I am alright". "Thank you for telling me". Moomintroll, with a bated breath, sighed, extraneously, as he put his porridge bowl aside. Some sardines sat beside him. While he ate those, he looked for some water, or some compost tea.
Moomintroll was quiet as he arose from his seat, walking around. He seemed to be in a long, distant silence. He seemed pensive at this point as he kept quiet. His eyes blinking back wet spots from the corner of his round, once curious eyes. "Poika". I said, gently. My voice coated in rasp, sovereign in gentleness, kindness spoke to my young Moomintroll. Moomintroll looked behind him. "Yes?". Moomintroll asked. "Is everything alright, my boy?". I asked, gently. "It's quite alright". Moomintroll replied. "I'm just thinking about my mama and papa".
"Your mama and papa love you, my boy". I said, gently. "Heaven is a place not too far from here, where one day, you'll be able to see mama and papa". "For now, we need to spread the word of god, and live to the fullest of charity". "We can do anything, if we are accepting, and live by the word of the Lord". "Anything can be, and is, ours". I smiled another gentle smile. "I hope". Moomintroll said. "I hope I'm ok".
"You will be, I'm certain of it". I said, gently. "We'll both be alright, because we're in God's hands".
"I'm certain, as well". Moomintroll said. "I just….sometimes need to look to heaven to find my answer". "When I have a question, I always ask my mama and papa".
"It is a wise thing to maintain". I said, gently. "You know, when I lost my mama and papa, I prayed to them on a nightly basis as well". "I oftentimes wanted my mama and papa to be with me as well". "I believed, for a long time, that they were".
"I know it was hard for me, as a young boy, yet I knew that I was someone that believed heavily in magic, and that god is beside me, in all of his forms". "God is my belief, and my hope for a better tomorrow". "I'm sure you believe as well….my boy?". I asked, kindly. "I do". My Moomintroll said, as he nodded. "I'm happy we do, and that we're copesthetic". "Us survivors have to stick together in some way, don't we?". I said, gently. "We do". Moomintroll said. I smiled a gentle smile, kissing Moomintroll's cheek. "I am curious….what were your thoughts on the Vietnam war?". I asked, kindly with gentleness. My voice, even as raspy as it was, was still soft. Moomintroll just glanced….then stared. "It….it was horrible". Moomintroll said. "I woke up to someone telling me my mama and papa weren't alive anymore….I looked around, seeing that life was no longer peaceful". "I woke up, then knowing that I no longer had a living mama and papa". "I just….I felt horrible". "I don't know what else to do". Moomintroll said, sniffling. "War is a senseless, stupid thing no one should ever be involved in". "Why are there conflicts, Mr. Jatuk?".
I was soft, kind, and loving to Moomintroll. I took his paws in mine. "Perhaps because people have differences, such as you and I". "Even though we are best friends who are similar, we are different in some ways, and we accept each other because of them". I said, kindly.
"Well, there are some people in our world who can't accept that the other person is different from them, because of that, there are wars, and conflicts". "War is a horrible thing, but love, patience, and kindness is always truth". "When we hold a grudge against someone, it is like taking poison, and hoping the other person dies". "When we have wisdom, intellect, and kindness, we can do anything, and we have the opportunity to make a friend, for a lifetime". "Friendship is what gives us hope and peace". "We all wish to strive for peace, doesn't it seem so?". I said, gently. "It does". Moomintroll replied. "Let us do our part, and be peaceful with one another, so as to make peace with ourselves". I said, gently. "Love, and kindness does it, just as love and kindness does it with our parents at the beginning". "We need kindness more than ever, now". I smiled a gentle smile.
"Don't be saddened, my boy". "Know that it's only something we wish for, and that one day, we will attain it". "Even if we try our hardest". "It is possible". I petted Moomintroll's fur, gently. Moomintroll sniffled, as his paws stayed nestled in mine. "I know it is". Moomintroll said. "I'm happy it is, and I know I'll do my best to keep it that way".
"You always have, my boy". I said, gently. I was reassuring to Moomintroll, as he nodded along. We were both ok, knowing we were in a good place. As I smiled my gentle smile, I watched Moomintroll begin to smile as well. I only saw it come about when he was most content.
Moomintroll did wish to lay down. He was becoming agitated when it was time for him to lay down. I could tell my boy was becoming agitated, in general. "Why don't we take a nap, my boy?". "Perchance it would ease some negative feelings you may have". I said, kindly. "Would that be ok?".
I was gentle and soft towards my Moomintroll. "I'm ok for now". Moomintroll said, crossly. I wasn't one to press, or become indignant. "Of course, my boy". I said, gently. "If there's anything I can do to help, anything at all". I was kind, and gentle. Hmm….maybe I need to find a longer, more sophisticated sounding synonym for "gentle". ;).
"Ok". Moomintroll seemed to grunt as he turned away. He seemed troubled, even as he walked away. I could tell he was emotionally exhausted, that, and physically, he seemed troubled.
I was about to come outside to my porch, the front of the house, where the porch was, the grassy knoll, and the babbling brook nearby. It was all in its glory. Very astute.
As I licked the side of my face, (my lips to be exact) I glanced around, wishing to smoke another cigarette. I did take a cigarette from my pack, lighting it, as I smoked a copious, young pipe. "Well, there's my good friend, and neighbor". "Tis good to see you". I said, gently. Madame Firefly came to us, a stately woman with a lot of tobacco. "It is good to see you, too". Firefly said, gently. "I didn't know you were in town, Jatuk, Perlikki".
"I was here for awhile, then I came back and forth". "It hasn't been easy, but it's been what it has been". "Just showing up is half the battle". I said. Firefly and I shared a laugh. "Well, you have an excellent student beside you". Firefly said, gently as she rubbed Moomintroll's head when he came outside. "My student is as excellent as the day is made for him". I said, gently. "Well, he is that, and he's my best friend". "Perhaps the best friend a man can have". I smiled a gentle smile. "I guess". Moomintroll said. Moomintroll and I laughed. "You are a wonderful best friend, and a son of mine". I said, gently. I kissed Moomintroll's nose. "Thank you". Moomintroll said.
"I will always love you". I said, kindly. "I love you, too". Moomintroll said. We both smiled a gentle smile, as I giggled along with my Moomintroll. Moomintroll came to smile as well. "Well, watch out now, Jatuk, we both need to share him, because he's my favorite as well". "He is the wondrous aspect of nuance". Firefly said, as she patted Moomintroll on the head. "Nuance and poise". I said, as I kissed Moomintroll's cheek, gently, pinching both of his cheeks. "I never expected this much attention". Moomintroll pointed out. "Well, now you have it, because you're a man of great ideas". I said, gently. Moomintroll and I laughed. "Well…it has been nice, but I must get back to my end of the wood". "Thank you for letting me make my delivery". Firefly said, gently. "I am pleasured by it". I said, gently. Firefly and I bade one another goodbye, as she kissed Moomintroll on the cheek. "Have a wonderful day, my breadbasket". "I always love seeing you". Firefly said, gently. Moomintroll and I bade Firefly goodbye, as we sat on the porch, while I smoked my cigarette. "She is a nice woman, she's been my neighbor for so many years, now". "We know one another through various things, such as meetings, and other occasions". "Our likelihood has been quite a lot". I said, gently. "I guess". Moomintroll said. "That, and we've seen a lot of changes in the valley through the years". "We've seen growth, we've seen progress, we've seen many people come and go, it has been something". "Things aren't quite what they used to be in their day". "That's for certain". I said, gently.
"I'm sure we'll change along with the patterns". "Much like the seasons". I let the cloud of ashen smoke surround me. "Hmm, isn't it something?". I blew out another cloud of smoke. "I guess it is". Moomintroll said. "Well, now". "I'd think it is time for a nap, my boy". I said, gently. "Wouldn't you like to lay down, even for a little while?".
"I'm ok". Moomintroll insisted, as he glanced around. "Hmm….what's on your mind, fella?". I asked, gently. "I don't know". Moomintroll said. "I'm just trying not to be sad, as of now". "I lost my job, I'm not doing well in school". "I don't know what's next".
"I suppose something will come to you, my boy". I said, gently. "You just have to be patient, and let the love come to you". "Let opportunity find the soul it needs in you". I smiled a gentle smile, rubbing Moomintroll's back, kindly. "I hope". Moomintroll said. "Be optimistic". "It will find you". I said, kindly. I smiled a gentle smile. Moomintroll nodded, as he glanced around. It was a time for relaxing.
Moomintroll yawned as he drank his milk. Some ash fell from my cigarette. "Never worry, we're in a good place now, my poika". I said, gently. "Let's go inside, and have a nap at our leisure". Moomintroll nodded, coming inside where there was a warm couch, and a nice place for Moomintroll to rest his head. I smiled, letting Moomintroll lay down, resting his head down on the linen pillow. I kissed his head, petting it, gently. It was time for us to lay, and rest after a busy afternoon of leisure. How does one do it?
Moomintroll did look cute sleeping. As he laid his head down, he had his eyes closed, perhaps dreaming a peaceful dream, I'm sure. While I sat on my chair, licking my lips. I slept as well. Us old men slept, happy to have a prosperous day. The evening was peaceful as well. There is much abade in privacy in the wood of Moominvalley.