Just when we thought we would have to turn around, the little ibex spoke aloud, “mee”. Suddenly, the ibex train made a u turn and headed directly towards us. They quickly scooped us up onto their backs, and before we knew it we were riding on the ibex train up the mountain. I, for one, was eternally grateful and yelled out a “choo” to thank everyone. Just as I did that, all the rest of the train started up their choos and mees. Now, it’s fourteen “choos” and one “mee”. Choo, CHoo, choo, CHoo, Choo, CHoo, Choo, Choo, Choo, Choo, Choo, Choo, CHoo, Choo, Mee!
We reached the peak in no time at all thanks to the ibex amazing climbing abilities. Before us was beautiful glowing pasture with dozens of red Autumnsugar Kale plants! The translucent leaf bones sparkled golden in the early morning sun as if you put a light to a shiny piece of amber. Looking into the leaf against the sun felt like gazing into a beautiful crystal with a million different shades of red that you didn’t even know existed! The whole herd of Pole Bean Ibex settled down and started munching on the kale. Suddenly it felt like we were in a bustling restaurant! Watching the ibex train chomp on the shiny red kale so happily made me want to take a bite of some myself, but Figaro quickly moved my hand away from my drooling mouth before I gave into temptation.
We quickly plucked about twenty of the red leaves (making sure to leave most of it for the herd) and started our careful descent down the mountain. I turned around and saw the young ibex that we helped earlier, standing on a boulder overlooking the valley. She was admiring her newly painted tail as it glistened in the glorious sunny morning. Just then, I thought of the perfect name for her and after telling it to Figaro he smiled after agreed it suited her just fine.
When we got back to the art studio near the coast of Newtime Beach, Manabu was more than delighted upon seeing our bountiful harvest! With a mangonificent whoop, he couldn’t wait to get started on the pillows for Caramelle. He pulled out all his paints including a large painter’s cup filled with what looks like Autumnsugar Kale Paint. Figaro and I looked at each other dumbfounded as Manabu had more than enough Autumnsugar Kale paint to make even dozens of pillows! I was complete confuse as to why we helped to collect more.
Manabu chuckled as he saw the confused look on my face and attempted to explain himself. “Eden, you didn’t think I needed more Autumnsugar Kale, did you? It was this I needed.” Manabu walked over to me and gently took from my hands the paintbrush that I had used on the mountain. He continued, “This, right here, is what I needed ! You see, this is no longer an ordinary paintbrush. It’s imbued with the colorful spirit of the Polebean Ibex. Their natural environment, from eating Autumnsugar Kale to the uniquely beautiful mountain sun rays have allowed them to have this wonderful aura! I discovered this a long time ago when I helped a young ibex with a broken horn get over being sad. He must be an old ibex by now.” Manabu continued recollecting about his good o’ days travelling through Napoleon’s Mountain, and we couldn’t help but imagine all the fantastic things he had seen in his wanders.
After listening to a little more of Manabu’s story, Figaro and I received our tasty breakfast as promised. Cooked Autumnsugar Kale with steamed gourds from Squashpine Valley and wonderful tea from the Echo Quartz desert. Fig couldn’t stop himself from eating too fast and was relieved to fill himself with all the wonderful food. As for me, I was lost in happy thoughts of Manabu’s artful breakfast, Fig’s insanely huge belly and of the new friend I made today. I know she and I will continue to see each other for as long as I’m in Punny Garden.