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!"