Truffula Tales
Pancakes
The sun rose over the peaceful Truffula forest, Fiora walked, flowers blossoming in her tread, caressing and whispering to the trees. She listened to their responses as they greeted her. Fiora loved everything about the Truffula forest: the sights, the sounds, and the smells. The air of the forest had the sweet smell of the trees' foliage.
While walking, Fiora smelled something that she wasn't quite familiar with. She couldn't quite describe this smell: it was light and sweet...maybe too sweet. Still, it was quite...pleasing. She could only assume this new smell was coming from Once-ler's cottage. Following this new smell, she went towards Once-ler's cottage, hearing clanking and sizzling...and of course, Once-ler's humming coming from inside. She was curious. She looked in the window, seeing the tall, slender man with his back turned.
"Hello, Once-ler," she said.
The young man turned his attention to the window to see the sprite staring in.
"Oh hey!" he said with a smile. "Good morning, Fiora."
"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.
"I'm making pancakes. Would you like some? I made plenty."
Fiora was curious. She had never tried human food before. She was used to eating the Truffula fruits; yet the smell of these pancakes sounded quite...pleasant.
"I'd like that," she said with a smile.
"Well, come on in," he said.
Fiora hoisted herself through the window...Once-ler watched the girl, amused as he watched her clumsily climb in.
"Y'know you could always use the door," Once-ler said with a chuckle.
"So, that's what a door does," she replied, looking at it.
"Um...yea. Plus it's easier than climbing through a window."
Fiora was still getting used to human customs; if she understood correctly, she remembered that tapping the door was a way to tell Once-ler that she wanted to come in (but don't do it too much because it's annoying).
"Go ahead, sit down," he said, gesturing to a chair.
She stared at Once-ler, dressed in his usual attire of greys and white. Yet he had something different on today, which was covering the front of him. Fiora had never seen this before. It seemed to be a dress...well, half of one. It was pink, covered in red spots with waves on the shoulders. There were two pouches: one on the front and the other just on Once-ler's left hip. Both were covered in purple flowers, also decorated with these red waves There was a smooth red vine around Once-ler's slender waist.
"What's that?" she asked, pointing to Once-ler.
"Oh, this," he said, looking down at himself. "It's an apron. I use it to keep my clothes clean when I'm cooking."
He was a bit embarrassed that it was pink, thinking she would make fun of him. But no, she was more curious. Having no exposure to humans nor their customs or concepts, he was glad there was someone who didn't think like them. Fiora found him interesting. No one else did...they found him strange and teased him.
"I like it," she said. "It's like the pink Truffula trees."
"Thank you," he said sheepishly; blush blossoming on his cheeks. "I made it myself."
He liked that Fiora could see beauty in things and appreciated it. Always optimistic and appreciative. He wondered if there was anything she didn't like...well, she did get really angry when he cut down one of Truffula tree.
Fiora watched Once-ler, making these pancakes, humming and whistling cheerfully. Then he turned away from the stove, flipping them bent backwards with a "FLURITUBOO!" Then tossed them up in the air with a 'ho-up'. The pancakes flew up in the air and into a neat stack on a plate. Fiora was impressed and clapped her hands delighted. Once-ler could only smile.
"You're like a sprite!" she said. "Everything you do is magic."
"Oh, wait until you see some real human magic," he said amused. "And don't worry, it doesn't involve fire." He approached Fiora, holding a plate of pancakes. "Here you go." he said, setting down a stack of pancakes in front of Fiora.
She stared curiously at this new thing. This pancake was flat and golden. She poked it and found it was soft and spongy...and warm. Well, Once-ler had taught her about how fire was used to cook things.
Soon, Once-ler came over with his own plate of pancakes, watching the green girl studying. He was amused by her curiosity, but of course, Fiora had never seen things like this before.
"It's so strange," she said. "It's like a very flat, soft rock."
Once-ler chuckled. "Well, taste it," he encouraged.
She picked up the pancake and tasted it. Ooh! It was indeed soft and warm! She found herself liking it already.
"It's delicious," she said with a smile.
"Yea. Wait till you try with syrup," he said.
He poured what looked like an amber liquid on her pancakes. Fiora had that curious look again. She touched it, it was sticky! She tasted it on her finger. It was very sweet with a vague wood taste to it.
"Where did you get this?" she said fascinated.
"Believe it or not, syrup comes from trees," he said.
"Really? What kind of trees?"
"Well, not like the ones here."
"Oh, I see. They're from the human world."
Then ate more of this pancake, getting her fingers sticky. Once-ler watched as Fiora ate her pancake. She looked like a messy child.
"Here, try this," he said handing her what looked like a silver toothed object. "It's easier and less messy."
"W-what is it?" she said, nervous since it looked sharp.
"It's a fork. You use it to eat food. Lemme show you."
He demonstrated and Fiora watched as the young man held the fork and showed her how to use it. It was a bit hard, but she got it. Once-ler was indeed correct: it was easier to eat without sticky hands.
"So, show me this human magic you told me about," she said, eating a pancake.
"Oh, that," he said. He reached into his pocket and showed her a shiny coin. "Now watch."
Fiora watched Once-ler with a wave of his hand...it was gone! She looked perplexed! Where did the coin go?
"Oh, where is it?" he asked with a sly remark. Then reached towards Fiora's ear...and there it was! "Right here!"
Fiora gasped in surprise, clapping her hand to her mouth. "You really ARE a sprite, Once-ler!" she exclaimed in delight.
Once-ler laughed. He was happy having a friend like Fiora. Someone who didn't see Once-ler as strange. She always saw good in all things, even in the most unwanted thing in the world. Once-ler was unwanted...and he was used to it. But being loved and wanted was new to him, he found himself liking it with this beautiful young woman. A woman who saw past his flaws.
Fiora finished her first pancake, smiling, covered in sticky syrup. Once-ler could tell she was quite pleased with it.
"More?" he asked.
"Please," she said with a smile.