Daily Free-Write September 26, 2020 (Patreon)

"But Christopher, we don't want to see you go!" said the tiger.

"We'll miss you terribly," said the pig. 

"I'm sorry, friends, but that's how it has to be. I'm growing up, and soon I'll be too big for the forty-hectare forest." 

"Oh well," said the sad blue donkey. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." 

The animals each had their own reaction to the surprising revelation, but one in particular had the stirrings of an idea. It wasn't often that the bear thought of much more than honey, but this time something clicked and they blurted out something amazing.

"We'll throw you a going away party!" he said, confidently. 

"A going away party!" said the little kangaroo. 

One by one, the animals agreed that it was a splendid idea. 

And so it was agreed that in one week's time, they would give Christopher the most splendid going away party the woods had ever seen. Really, the only going away party the woods had ever seen. 

After Christopher left, the whole menagerie put their heads together to think of just what to do. 

"Well we absolutely have to play bearsticks," said the little bear. 

"And there should be plenty of good bouncing!" said the tiger. 

"I think we should try to make the party go on as long as possible," said the little pig. "That way, he'll never leave us!" 

"There's nothing we can do about that..." said the always-gloomy donkey. "It's not like we could keep him from growing up..." 

"Wait... what did you say?" asked the rabbit. 

"I said it's not like we could keep him from growing up." 

"That's it! If Christopher is leaving because he's getting too old, all we have to do is keep him from growing up!" 

"I say," said the wise old owl. "I think you're on to something there, Rabbit." 

And so the animals discussed their plans long into the day, so they could keep their friend from leaving forever. 

On the day of the party, Christopher came back to see that the animals had indeed prepared a splendid party. A long low table with a nice blue linen cloth had been set with all sorts of treats for them to enjoy, not the least of which was a big frosted cake in the center. They had even strung up a banner between the branches of two trees that said, 'Farewell, Christopher'

Well, it wasn't exactly pefectly spelled, but they had tried their best, and Christopher was touched.

And so it went that the animals and Christopher had one last fun day in the forty-hectare forest, playing, eating, and laughing. 

"This is indeed a wonderful party!" said the young man, as he sat down at the table.

The time had cut the cake, and blow out the candles. 

"Oh, are you sure it's time to cute the cake just yet? Wouldn't you like to play another game of bear-sticks?" asked the pig?

"Or hunt for honey?" asked the bear.

"And you still haven't seen my garden," said the rabbit, who was very proud of how his vegetables were coming up. 

"Will you at least visit?" asked the donkey, with some hope in his voice.

Christopher shifted uncomfortably. 

"I know that you all are sad to see me go," said Christopher, "but there's nothing we can do about that now. All boys have to grow up sometime." 

The animals glanced at each other. 

"I'm afraid once you grow up, you can never go back," he said with an air of finality that none of the animals could question. 

"Well, blow out the candles dear, and make a wish." said the mother kangaroo.

Christopher blew the candles out, and silently wished that he could still come and play with all his friends, but he knew that it could never be. 

"Time for cake, everyone!" he said, cutting it up and serving it.  

And as he played around with the last crumb on the plate, and as the sun began to get lower in the sky, he knew he had tarried as long as he could. 

"It's time to go, friends," he said, sadly. 

"Oh can't we play one last game?" asked the little pig. 

"No, no, it's getting late and I'm afraid I must get going."

"Well, then," said the rabbit, "I guess it's time, everyone."

"Time for what?" asked Christopher.

"It's time to give you your present!" the animals exclaimed.

The animals brought out a gift box from behind a nearby stump, and presented it to Christopher. 

"Oh, you shouldn't have!" he said, smiling at all his friends. 

The animals looked on in anticipation as christopher opened the box and looked inside. When he did, his eyebrows went up, and he pulled out the contents, confused

"A nappy?" he asked, "What is this for?" 

"It's for you!" said the bear. "It was my idea! If you don't grow up then you'll never have to leave!"

"Silly old bear," said the young man. "That's not how these things work." 

"Sure it is! Put it on and see!"

"I'm not putting on a nappy," he said, chuckling. "I doubt they even make them in my size."

"Well, let's find out," said the Rabbit. 

"Yes, let's" 

"Indeed!"

The animals surrounded Christopher, and suddenly he realized that he was outnumbered. He gulped. 

"H-hey now, this isn't funny, guys." he said as they advanced on him, but there was nothing he could do to stop them from holding him down and putting him into the infantile garment.

He tried to negotiate. He tried to tell them he would visit them once a week for the rest of his life, but it was no use. In short order he found himself in a nappy, and the baby clothes it came with. 

"But I don't want to be a baby!" he said, as the animals brought out a buggy to cart him off. 

"Sorry Christopher, it's nappies for you!"

"I'll babysit him tonight, and you take him tomorrow,"

And that is how the animals got to keep their friend and live happily ever after in the 40-hectare forest.