Let me tell you a story...
Growing up was not easy, not for anyone. To this day, there are times I, Bel, look back and remember how much easier being young was. Laughing, smiling, not a single care that weighed me down. Babbu was quite like me, which is not shocking considering I raised him. Back when it was just he and Floogle, playing around without cares, it was different.
It was heartbreaking, watching Babbu grow up while his best friend remained very young, a puppy. Sure, he would catch up soon, but that did not mean much to such a young dog. Now Babbu was alone, and he too was different. Where he used to stand up for those who were singled out and called weird by others, he himself was now quite peculiar. A mask on his face, his feet a different colour. A peacock's feather striping down his back, evidence of his love of flying. Most interesting of all, feathers that floated around him as he padded along. The one that was terminally behind his ear, of course. And his favorite feather, the one he wore around his neck.
Let me show you what that day was like. The day Babbu realized he had to be a grown up...
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye
'The first thing he noticed, when he woke up that fateful morning, was the fact that the light wasn't as glaring as normal. Blinking, it seemed odd. He had noticed he had been getting bigger, taller. Going to rub his face with his paw, the next thing he noticed is their change. What? Scrabbling backwards, Babbu made a b-line for the closest water source. He had too look at himself, and quickly. What he saw when he peered had him shocked, however. A raccoons mask and feet, feathers everywhere, the patterns painted onto his fur. After a few moments of hyperventilating, a grin split onto the young, mature wolf's face. He was all grown up...he had to go show Floogle!
Sprinting away from his home, he ran towards where he knew Floogle and he hung out with the other puppies. As he rounded the corner though...he hesitated. In front of him, he could see them all romping and playing, acting all young and carefree. When some of the other dogs, like Arabella and the quiet star pup, grew up...they had left. Babbu had thought that maybe they had been sent somewhere, or something was happening. But at this very moment, this very second, he understood.
They had grown up. Just like him.
Now it was his turn to watch over the other pups, and patiently wait for his best friend to grow up too.
"Enjoy being a puppy Floogle," Babbu said quietly to himself, "because it goes past so quick. And then you're grown up."'
Fin.
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That was more sad than I meant. Oops.
When Floogle grows up, I'll write a happier one about them getting into shenanigans together again.