A FRIENDLY STRANGER

Far across the distance of Oxshade at the east of Luceras, a cute little family of a mother, father, and a little boy was shopping, attracting the other customers in the shopping mall. The little boy was the main reason for this.

Little Daniel was overwhelmed by his new toys lying on the shopping cart. They were completed with the toy shopping and they now were in the kids' store, thinking of purchasing some books for the boy.

"Momma, why didn't we take Vili along with us?" asked Daniel, with a worried look. "Vili love booksh. She would love all... of this booksh." He said gleefully with his baby pronunciation. He was gazing at all of the books, with a dreamy look and a cute smile tugging, on his lips.

"Ha..ha... Your sister has to attend some work, my honeycomb. She is big enough to manage her work. That is why she didn't come with us, ok?" Vivian replied. Little Daniel nodded his head obediently and got a kiss on his right cheek from his mother.

"Now, what books do you want daddy and mommy to buy you, my boy?" she asked with sweet words knowing that people were looking at them. They were looking at the mother and son duo daringly.

"How about we play a game?" asked Demus joining the conversation.

"Game?" asked Daniel excitedly.

"Yes, a game. Each of us will pick four or more books as we wish, and the person who does it first will win the game.

"And what will I get if I win?" asked daniel more excitedly than before.

"You'll get to visit the amusement park and also taste the three tastiest ice-cream flavours," said Demus.

"What?? Wow..." exclaimed and jumped out of joy, putting his pink, little tongue out. Both Demus and Vivian laughed at their little boy's cuteness. Daniel got kisses from his parents at the same time, on his left and right cheeks. Some of the staff and passersby who were there couldn't help but look in awe, and some of them silently clicked some pictures of the loving family.

"I'll start the countdown," said Vivian.

"Three...Two...One...Go!" she said and Daniel dashed out of sight to pick up the books. Vivian looked at Demus and went to do the same.

Keenly going through all the book's titles and the cover pages, he got an idea of not selecting the books for him, but for her sister. He thought it was better because his mother and father might be buying for him. For a four-year-old boy, he was, pretty much more intelligent and thoughtful than one could presume. Stopping at a shelf, he turned to his right and saw a shelf that was decorated with glowing light in blue and red, which made the boy run towards it. His feet padded on the floor soundly, but suddenly, from the other side, someone came unexpectedly. The little boy collided and stumbled back but was caught by a big hand immediately. Daniel got embraced by the sudden reflex.

"Ahh!!" shouted Daniel.

"Hey, are you alright?" asked the stranger with panic and worry. Daniel took a look at the stranger man who caught him or who was the sole reason for him to fall, but didn't reply which made the man question in concern again.

"Are you hurt?" he asked and Daniel shook his head twice.

"Ok, I'm sorry, I didn't see you coming this way. My name's Eric and what's yours?" asked Eric with a pleasant smile.

"I'm Daniel Frost," said little Daniel and raised his right hand. He felt familiar with the last name but more than that Eric was quite amused by the boy's etiquette behaviour but still bent down to shake his hand.

"I'm sorry, Daniel," He said, once again, adding the boy's name. Daniel remembered that he was heading to the glowing shelf and looked at the shelf. Eric saw the boy gazing at the bookshelf. It was higher than the boy's height.

"Need help, Daniel?" asked Eric. Daniel nodded his head. He thought the stranger was quite friendly.

"I'll carry you and you pick the book you want, if that's ok, ok?" he asked to make sure.

"Ok, Mr.Eric," said Daniel addressing him formally. Eric smiled at the boy. Eric carried Daniel and Daniel saw that there were so many books that caught his eyes.

"Hmm... Daddy said that I must take four books. So... I'll take this... this... and this and another too...," said Daniel, thoughtfully and chose the books.

"You can put me down, Mr. Eric." He said after he was done choosing the books. and Eric slowly left the boy down on the floor.

"What are you thinking so deep, Daniel?" asked Eric.

"Mmm... Mr. Eric? Do you think my sister would love this book?" Eric took a look at the books. It was, 'The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe,' 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory,' 'The tale of Peter Rabbit,' 'A Wrinkle In Time.' It was all quite famous, he thought while questioning,

"Your sister? How old is she?"

"She's going to a big school," Daniel said, proudly with a smile.

"Big school? You mean college?"

"Yes...Covege" He pronounced the word hardly which brought a smile onto Eric.

"Ok she's just like me then, but I'll take you to where the books she might like, shall I?"

"Will you?"

"Yes, I will but do you know what book she reads, or has she ever read her books to you?" Asked Eric.

"Oh... yes, she has. She used to read me a book that she loved the most, "Love Me Forever." Yes that's the book." he said and nodded to himself.

"I see... Let me browse it and see" said Eric and browsed. "Com'on let's go, but wait, with whom did you come?"

"Mommy and Daddy. They are also looking for books for me," he replied.

"Ok, we'll be back before your mommy or daddy searches for you. Come." said, Eric and walked to find some books for Vilian. Both were walking hand in hand one in excitement while the other in leisure.

"Could you please show us where the historical romance genre is?" questioned a staff, Eric. The staff looked down at the little boy and then at Eric and answered,

"In the left corner, sir." said the staff. Eric thanked the staff and started walking and stopped in front of the shelf. There were a variety of books. Eric once again browsed for good books and started looking for the books, especially which had a decent cover page as it was the boy who was gonna take them.

"How many books do you need Daniel?" Daniel showed his three fingers and Eric nodded and looked for two more books.

"Here you go, boy," He said and gave the books but thought the books were quite heavy for him to carry all the way.

"Daniel, why don't you give me the other four books too. I'll carry them myself and leave you with your parents."

"I'm ok with these books. You take my sister's books, Mr. Eric,"

"Ok, then. Here we go," he said and both of them went to the spot where Demus and Vivian were. Daniel kept the book on a stool that was nearby the place they were.

"Daddy... I got lots of books," said and ran to Demus. He hugged Demus' leg from behind. Demus turned and embraced the boy.

"That quick? Let me see what books you've collected?"

"Mr. Eric. Can you bring me those books here?" asked Daniel cutely. Demus looked up and froze and so was Eric's reaction.