The Farmer Who Passed The Chance To Be A Hero II

"Uncle Howie doesn't like it when I stay up late so we have to be a little quiet. It's not that he has a bedtime for me or nothin' like a lot of other kids, he just doesn't want me making a bunch of ruckus," I said.

"Fine. I can be quiet. After you show me your little 'pets' we need to talk, Jimmy. We need to have a serious talk," Mr. Sage grumbled.

"We been talkin' Mr. Sage," I smiled at him and playfully hit his shoulder, but he still was frowning angrily. I don't think he liked that. I knew he wouldn't frown when he saw Bozo and Rita though.

"Hold on. I'm getting a call," Mr. Sage said, as if he had some sort of fancy portable phone, but I think he was communicating with someone telepathically back in his homeland or somethin'. His eyes were closed and he had his hands on his temple.

"Rothfayle, I'm glad you contacted me. I wish I had better news but the whole trip has been a disaster so far, Zarwyll -er- Jimmy… Yeah I know, that's his silly Earth name," Mr. Sage laughed for a split second then grew serious again. "Zarwyll has no interest in returning where he belongs as prince of the Magical Gadonian Throne… Yes I told him that our people are dying at the hands of Myphor… Yes I made him aware that he can kick his ass with some training of his ability… Well right now we are about to look at his pets… I don't know what pets are but I guess they're like little animals you own? … I know we don't have much time… I know! I know! I'm working on it!" Mr. Sage's eyes opened. "Alright, let's see Rita and Bozo, I guess."

When we walked downstairs Bozo perked his ears, he was sitting on the couch in the living room like normal. Our family bloodhound dog got excited at the sight of me. He always did.

"Hey Bozo! Be quiet now, don't want to wake Uncle Howie," I petted him and he wagged his tail, still sitting on the couch concealing something under his head. "Watch this Mr. Sage," I whispered. "Bozo, where's Rita?"

Bozo lifted his head revealing my dwarf lop-eared rabbit curled in a ball, Rita. She was sleeping.

"Ain't that the cutest thing you've ever seen? They're best friends and I always hang out with them every chance I get when I'm not working on the fields or bein' with my girlfriend Lorraine. Whatever you do don't call her Lori if you meet her, call her Lorraine. Anyways, if you stay the night, tomorrow I can show you this trick I can do with the two of them where I can make them walk on their hind legs for a treat. Everyone tells me it's the dang most precious thing they'd ever seen. And to be honest, I agree with 'em. It's pretty darn adorable… Mr. Sage?"

Mr. Sage had tears in his eyes and he kneeled down beside my pets on the couch. "I apologize for crying, but something about this is strikingly beautiful. I've never really seen a 'dog' or 'rabbit' but they're so… quaint, peaceful, and kind. Animals back in Gadonia aren't quite as friendly."

I laughed quietly. "Oh, Mr. Sage, not all of the animals on earth are as nice as Bozo and Rita. But look, you can pet them," I started petting Bozo, and even Rita (though I felt real bad about it because I'm sure she wasn't too happy with me waking her up and all). "Try it!"

Mr. Sage held out his palm and brushed Bozo's head, and even rubbed Rita's fuzzy body. It was something special I tell ya. For the first time in two hours of me meeting with Mr. Sage, he smiled. I kid you not, he was grinning from ear to ear, but tears were still comin' out of his eyes. I held out my hand and used my telekinesis to bring over a clean rag from the linen closet so he could wipe his tears away and blow his nose if needed.

"Th-th-thank y-you, Jimmy," he whispered, wiping his tears away. He sniffled but still smiled as he was petting Bozo and Rita, then he stopped suddenly. "What's this? What's happening? Am I safe?!"

Bozo and Rita both started to lick his hand.

"Well, call-me-a-beaver-stuck-in-his-own-dam, they like you Mr. Sage! When pets like you, they lick you, but I call it kissin'," I said.

Mr. Sage started to giggle silently, I didn't think he was capable of bein' so silly.

"I could do this all night!" he whispered excitedly. He continued to pet Bozo and Rita, smilin' and cryin'. What a hoot it was.

"So, will you stay the night and see what things are like tomorrow? Wait till you see our cows!" I said.

Mr. Sage looked up at me, his eyes were wide and full of joy. "S-s-sure, I'll stay."

"We can talk more in the mornin', if ya'd like," I winked.