A Tale of Great Scraggle (Part Two)

Upon Fred’s arrival, Duke puts on quite the welcome party. Running full steam for Fred and licking his face like a Labrador puppy dog. Jumping up into the midday sun and clicking his marvelous hooves. Trotting back to his favorite mango tree and stamping down a little spot for Fred, right next to his. Destiny had finally arrived for the strange companions. Fred couldn’t believe his eyes, pulling up his wagon in a hurry. Settling in the cool shade beneath the mango tree. Finding a turnip in his wagon and offering it to Duke. Whom crunches it up with a beautiful Donkey Grin. Fred lays his beach towel in the stamped grass and sticks a pair of rocks behind the wagon wheels. Home for the very first time.

Donkeys don’t speak English. Whether it be by choice or nature one really can’t say. But that didn’t bother the companions one bit. Giggles and Donkey Cackles serve them just fine. Frying up quesadillas over a little fire. Fred thanks Duke for his hospitality and falls into a peaceful slumber upon his tie-dye beach towel. Duke stays up for a while, thanking all the lucky stars his one good eye can see.

The companions were awoken by the sun peeking out over Mount Ka’ala. Fred mixes up some coffee in an old bean can and rummages in his wagon.

“AHAAA!”

Fred yanks out his boombox and polishes a bootleg CD. Clicking play and filling the meadow with bombastic tunes.  Moving his beach towel into the sunshine for his morning yoga routine. Duke trots out for a graze. Swaggering to the beat with a mouthful of alfalfa. The two companions are happy as can be in their misty paddock. For everything was done before the day had even begun.

So it went for months, maybe even years. The strange companions enjoy their quiet paddock way out in Mokuleia. Living simply beneath the sun and stars. Wanting for nothing, but the occasional jar of peanut butter. Sustaining themselves on the great natural bounty of the land. Fruit from the trees and a little garden at the edge of the meadow. It was Eden for Two. Then Fred has an idea…

The idea is not monumental or world altering by any means. Only a sprinkle of the most delicious substance known to man. Mischief. For Fred is not a man of great stature or teeth gnashing. But his appetite for mischief is insatiable. So, he begins plotting and collecting supplies. Magnets and firecrackers, an old church bell too. Jingling back to the paddock with his wagon, just in time for nightfall. Snickering with Duke, as preparations are made. Sneaking all around Mokuleia beneath the cloak of darkness. Resurrecting the ways of the Menehune.