The Almo Episode

Zebe bounded excitedly to the furry mass of bright red that lay on the sofa. 

"Almo!" he shrieked in delight, as he grabbed the cuddly soft toy and squeezed it lovingly.

Zebe first met Almo in the charming land of Jepun, where the mascot of the hit children's series Cinnamon Street had paraded with other stars in a dazzling musical extravaganza of light and sound.

The little boy turned to his Addy with a gleam in his eyes. Pointing excitedly at his father, the 3-year-old exclaimed, "Almo!"

Addy: "Do you mean I look like Almo?"

Zebe: "Addy looks like Almo!"

Addy: "How about Ummy?"

Zebe: "Kooky Munster!"

Addy: "And Didi?"

Zebe: "Didi looks like Big Byrd!"

Addy: "Hmm.... How about Zebe?"

Zebe: "Zebe looks like Elmo!"

And the little boy grinned with the broadest smile he could manage.

Esha Climbs a Mountain

Daybreak. 

The sun snuck in silently through the fluttering curtains.

Esha opened his eyes. Channeling all his energy towards a single purpose, the 6-month-old stretched his body to welcome the new day. 

It was a beautiful morning and the perfect time to start a new adventure.

The little boy inched his head to seek out a new target for his explorations. To his left, a gigantic mountain lay almost within his reach. Splendid. Esha knew his Kor Kor was a great mountain climber and he aspired to be nothing less. Flipping onto his front, the young child stretched his arms towards his target, and inched his body forwards. 

Time was of no essence to Esha, and he painstakingly undertook his endeavour with the determination of a lion stalking its prey. 

At last he reached the foot of the mountain. 

Esha lifted his right arm, and pounded it straight into the mountain. Not skipping a beat, the little boy continued with his left arm, and slammed it into the mountain with identical tenacity.

"Ow!" yelled the mountain.

But Esha was undeterred. He hoisted his upper body, using his arms as support, and manoeuvred his lower body onto the mountain's surface. He then continued the ascent, alternating movement between his right and left arms, which he used to support the rise of his lower limbs.

A loud groan erupted from the mountain.

"Esha!" it cried, "What are you doing! Addy is not a mountain!"

But the young boy was undeterred. By now he had managed to move his entire body up the mountain. Exhausted by the morning's adventure, Esha finally collapsed, his hands clinging to the back of the person he loved.  

And Addy was pleased.

An Adventure in the Mountains

This is the second in a series of stories on the Great Teiwan Adventure.

An icy breeze tickled the senses. The playful wind snatched the little leaves from the ground, and tossed them into the air, creating a delightful dance of joy. Zebe watched in amazement, his wispy hair fluttering in the breeze; and the little boy was all but lost in the magic of the moment. 

Less than an hour ago, Zebe was at the foot of a great mountain in the land of Teiwan. It was getting cold, and Ummy hugged Esha close to her chest to keep him warm. She and Addy wanted to return to the comfort of the car, but Zebe had other ideas. Tugging at Addy's hand, Zebe pointed to the mysterious stone staircase that seemed to be leading to a whole new world. 

Addy attempted in vain to stop the two-year-old, but as father and son ascended higher and higher up the mountain, they were soon lost in the spontaneity of the moment.

It was hardly a short climb to the top, but Zebe did not appear tired at all. He continued tugging at Addy's hand, even as they arrived at a small, narrow footpath. To the left and right were houses from a different era, from a time when the Kingdom of Jepun ruled Teiwan. 

But Zebe pressed on. He was headed towards a grove of trees, standing tall and proud amidst the sands of time.

As the little boy marvelled in wonder at the dance of the leaves, he imbibed the fresh evening hues of gold that were peeking through the trees. Then he turned to look at Addy, and it seemed as if the face of the two-year-old had also managed to spirit away some of the evening's glory.

Addy finally managed to tear his little boy away from this land of ethereal beauty. He knew they had to make it down the mountain before the night settled in.

But a part of Zebe (and his Addy) will forever remain. For the delight of the mountain will always be in their hearts.

Zebe & the Moo Moo

This is the first in a series of stories on the Great Teiwan Adventure.  

It was a lovely wintry morning. Zebe and Esha were on holiday in the land of Teiwan. In Teiwan, the winters are not too cold; especially during the earliest days of the season. 

But all these didn't matter to Zebe. After all, there were no winters back home in Xinjapor, and a gentle cool breeze always did something special to him. Overhead, the azure skies were splotched with cottony clouds. And the crisp green grass underfoot completed the picture of tranquility and respite. 

Then he saw her. 

The grand old dame was reclining gracefully in the green pastures. Dressed in a patchwork-like coat of black and white, she seemed to be oblivious to the cares of the world, keeping her focus solely on the fresh green grass all around. 

All at once, she tilted her head towards him. It was as if she had somehow sensed his gaze. 

"Moo!" she called.

Zebe took some time to register the scene he had just witnessed. Turning towards his Addy and Ummy, he tugged at their hands and pointed at the creature. 

"Moo Moo!" Zebe exclaimed. He had no doubt remembered the illustrations found in his story books, and was excited to observe that she was one and the same with what he had seen.

"That's right, Zebe," said Ummy. "That's a cow."

"Cows provide your milk milk," said Addy. 

"Moo Moo," said Zebe. "Nice!"

Zebe Plays With Esha

It was a wet and dreary afternoon and Zebe was bored.

As much as he wanted to, Zebe could not go for a walk walk along his favourite Pandanus River; the skies were a scary shade of grey, and streams of water rained from above.

But he would not be deterred from having his afternoon fun.

In the corner of his eye, Zebe spotted his adorable little brother Esha.  

Oblivious to the world, the four-month-old was squealing in tangible delight. Esha was lying under the lovely jungle gym that Addy and Ummy had bought for Zebe a long time ago. Using his little fingers to swot at the overhead animals and rustle the crinkly jungle leaves, Esha was clearly enjoying his afternoon, rain or no rain.

Zebe had a great idea.

Sauntering towards Esha, Zebe remembered the days when he too lay under the very same jungle gym; his eyes wide with astonishment every time his movement led to the melodious sounds of the jungle.

Pausing for a brief moment in front of his younger brother, Zebe got onto his knees. He then gingerly crawled his way under the overlying jungle ornaments and perched himself directly over the stunned infant.

Esha erupted into a loud chuckle of delight.

"Zebe! Get off Didi at once! Stop sitting on him!" Addy's booming voice materialised from behind.

"You may sit with Didi if you like, but not on him," echoed Ummy.

And the two-year-old promptly got off his brother, who seemed none the worse after the experience. He then gently stroked Esha on the cheek.

"Didi," he said. "Pat Pat."

And Esha chuckled. 
 

Ummy is for Hugging & Addy is for Walk Walk

Zebe opened his eyes. He had sensed the warm rays of sunlight dancing into his comfortable room. Recently, Addy & Ummy had moved his cot right next to the window, and he really loved the new arrangement. 

Zebe jumped to his feet. He peeked through the colourful curtains to steal a glance at the nearby Pandanus River. What a happy boy he was to be able to enjoy such an unspoiled and beautiful view of nature. With the fresh breeze surging across his face and right through his hair, the two-year-old clearly felt he was the happiest boy in the world!

Zebe suddenly missed his Ummy & Addy. 

"Ummy!" he cried at the top of his voice. "Ummy!"

"Zebe!" A deep familiar voice greeted him warmly. Apparently his cries had been answered; although the person wasn't exactly whom he was looking for.

"Addy!" The little boy responded in fondness nonetheless.

As Addy lifted him from the cot, Zebe suddenly felt a deep need for comfort. Addy was big and fierce and scary. Only one person could soothe him now.

"Ummy!" he sobbed. And the little boy pointed at the room where his parents slept with little Esha. "Ummy!" he cried longingly.

"Alright, Zebe. Addy will take you to Ummy."

Zebe felt himself being flung right into the waiting arms of Ummy. She was warm and soft and cuddly. 

"Ummy!" The little boy sighed as he hugged his Ummy lovingly. He loved his Ummy.

"Zebe, it's nice and early. And Ummy has to take care of Didi. Do you want to go for a walk?" Addy asked.

The toddler sprung to his feet, almost as if his body had been commandeered by an unknown magical force.

"Addy. Walk walk," he said.

"Sure, Zebe. Go choose your shoes."

And the little boy lost no time as he dashed helter-skelter to the door. He loved his Addy.

The Homecoming

Zebe dashed into the house. He missed his Ummy and Addy. After a long day with his beloved Mama & Kong Kong, he was longing for the snuggly arms of his Ummy. Ummy always had a way to comfort him and make him feel warm and comfy all over again. And perhaps his Addy would take him for a walk walk. Zebe loved to go for nice walks with his Addy along the nearby Pandanus River.

But today everything seemed different.

As he entered the main hall, Zebe noticed a strange creature lying in the bamboo basket that he once used when he was still a tiny baby. Horror upon horrors, the stranger had a head and a body just like him. And it also had two tiny arms and legs. But the weirdest thing yet - the creature moved!

"Waaaaaaahhhh!"

Zebe inched back in fright. He had never, in the whole of his two-year-old life, heard such a terrible noise! As the little boy pondered what he should do, he felt a surge of bravery and the need to defend Ummy and Addy and all he knew to be safe. He lunged forward and hit the creature squarely on its arm. 

"Waaaaaaahhhh!"

Zebe jumped back. Somehow the creature didn't seem so scary anymore. In fact, it seemed more in pain than anything else. Zebe felt so remorseful for hurting the poor little thing. His scrunched his face in a gesture of apparent sorrow.

And the all-familar voices rang through the air.

"Zebe! No hitting! That's your Didi, your younger brother Esha!" said Ummy.

"Say sorry, Zebe! Now!" insisted Addy.

The little boy felt sad. He looked away from the moanful faces of Ummy and Addy. Then he took his right hand and made a little circle on his chest "Sorry," it meant in sign language.

Zebe inched his way again to the little creature he now knew was his younger brother.  

"Didi. Nice!" he said.