Louis in the Land of Tetra

by Frank J. Ling

  “You got lost,” Gus said.

  “Yes. I traveled for hours to find a way out, but without success. During my search, Chalandoor, the Wise One found me. I explained my predicament in detail to him — how I arrived in Tetra and my wish to return home. He explained the importance of finding a lost article in order to accomplish this. He then led me out of the Dark Forest and asked me to return if I ever found my lost article. That was many years ago.”

  “I don’t understand. How does your story help us?” Crystal asked.

  “I learned that the Wise Ones have an overwhelming desire to help those who lose their way in the Deep Forest. That was the reason I was able to meet one of them. I was, so to speak, mislaid.”

  “So, if we stay lost and wander around long enough, you’re hoping that we will be ‘found’ by the Wise Ones? Is that your plan? Is that what you are trying to say?” Crystal asked.

  “That is precisely what I am saying. Once they find us, we can query them about getting all of you home. The Wise Ones have the power to open a portal back to your world.”

  #

  It was well past noon and they could barely walk. Even Shining Star was feeling the strong effects of hunger and fatigue. The most difficult part for everyone was to see all the abundant fruit and vegetables growing everywhere. The problem, of course, was they couldn’t eat any of them. There was no way to tell which ones were poisonous and which ones were not.

  “Hey, you guys. We’ve been walking for so long and my stomach is hurting so much I can’t stand it,” Gus said in anguish.

  Gus was not used to going without food for such a long period of time. He always took food for granted knowing that food would always be available and plentiful. It was very hard for him to deal with the situation. The more he obsessed about being hungry, the more he desperately wanted to eat something — anything.

  “I don’t know about you, guys, but I’m going to get some of that fruit way over there.”

  Gus quickly darted toward a tree heavy with fruit. The fruit on the branches were beautiful. They were colored with red and white stripes and reminded Gus of his favorite peppermint candy.

  “Gus, don’t! You are endangering your life. You do not know if the fruit is poisonous or not! Stop, I say!” shouted Mr. Bixbee.

  Gus didn’t care. Anything was better than starving to death. He reached up, plucked the biggest fruit off the tree, and took a gigantic bite.

  “Gus, no!” Crystal shouted. She ran to him and slapped the fruit out of his hand.

  “Hey, why did you do that? It tastes really good!”

  The others arrived and began to watch Gus carefully for any signs of distress.

  “How do you feel, Gus? Are you okay? Do you feel sick?” Louis asked anxiously.

  “Well, now that you mention it, I do feel sort of funny. Not bad, just a little strange. I don’t know how to describe it except that I don’t feel like myself.”

  “We must hope that Gus has not eaten a poisonous fruit, although, in my estimation, that would be highly unlikely considering the odds against it,” Mr. Bixbee said gravely.

  They looked on and waited. Everyone was very worried and concerned about Gus.

  “Something’s happening. Look!” Crystal said in alarm.

  Gus’s skin was beginning to change in color and shade.

  “Look at your skin,” she said.

  He looked at his arms and was amused to see that they were covered by the same pattern and colors as the fruit he had just eaten. He was covered in red and white stripes.

  “Wow, I look like a candy cane,” he laughed.

  “This is no joking matter,” Mr. Bixbee reprimanded. “You have done an extremely foolhardy thing. You have put your life in jeopardy by doing this!”

  Gus didn’t hear a word because he was eyeing another tree with red polka dot fruit. He reached over, grabbed one and took another gigantic bite.

  “Gus! What’s the matter with you?” Crystal screamed.

  “This is great. This one is even more juicy and tasty than the other one!” he said with satisfaction and contentment.

  Soon, Gus started to change color again. This time he was covered with red polka dots.

  “This is impossible. The odds of Gus consuming two different species of fruit without negative repercussions are astronomical!” Mr. Bixbee said in disbelief.

  “What did he say?” Gus asked.

  “He said that you’re a very lucky guy!” Louis said.

  “Well, since I am so lucky, let me try this one too.” He reached over to yet another tree. This fruit had yellow stripes. He took a bite and his skin turned into the same pattern and color as the fruit.

  “I am beginning to see a pattern here, no pun intended,” remarked Mr. Bixbee.

  “Our fearless, fortunate friend assumes the exterior likeness of the items he is ingesting. What I do not understand is why Gus has not been poisoned yet. Statistically speaking, it is impossible.”

  Something occurred to Louis. “What happens if someone eats a poisoned fruit or vegetable?”

  “That is fairly obvious. The person becomes extremely sick. In the worst case scenario, death occurs.”

  “How do you know this, Mr. Bixbee?”

  “The previous occurrences of illness or death resulting from eating any fruit or vegetables growing in the Deep Forest are well documented.”

  “But you said what happened to Gus was practically impossible.”

  “Correct.”

  “What would happen if someone just licked a poisonous fruit and didn’t eat it?” Louis asked.

  “While the fruit and vegetables of the Deep Forest are indeed poisonous, they are not extremely concentrated in toxins. An individual would have to eat several bites to bring on the more serious consequences. A simple lick would probably just cause dizziness or an upset stomach, in my estimation.”

  “I ate pretty big bites, but I feel fine,” said Gus proudly.

  “And that is what I cannot comprehend,” said Mr. Bixbee. “I am relieved and pleased that you are not ill or deceased, but I have no explanation as to why this is so.”

  “I want all of us to take a small lick from one of the fruits. Just make sure that you don’t take too big of a lick. Trust me. I have a theory about what is going on,” Louis said to his friends.

  They looked at each other with skepticism and wondered what Louis was up to.

  “Okay, I understand. You guys are afraid. Here, let me do it first. Then the rest of you can try it too.”

  He selected a fruit with black and white swirls, broke it in half and licked the inside. Nothing seemed to happen. Crystal was the next to try, then Mr. Bixbee, and, finally, Shining Star.

  Within seconds, Shining Star felt dizzy and weak. He knelt down to keep himself from falling over. Everyone else seemed to be unaffected by the fruit.

  “Mr. Bixbee said it was impossible for Gus to eat so many fruits without being poisoned. We tried and all of us feel fine, except Shining Star, that is. What’s going on?” asked Crystal.

  “To be more precise, I said it was statistically impossible.”

  “Okay, statistically impossible. Here’s my theory. If it is impossible for Gus to eat so many different fruits and still be healthy, then it can only mean one other thing — Gus must be immune to the poison,” Louis said.

  “But how can that be? Gus doesn’t come from Tetra. How could his body have developed immunity to poison not from his world?” asked a puzzled Mr. Bixbee.

  “Shining Star is the key. Out of all of us, Shining Star is the only one who was affected by the fruit. What do we all have in common that Shining Star doesn’t?” asked Louis.

  “I haven’t a clue,” said Crystal.

  “I am confounded,” replied Mr. Bixbee.

  “I don’t feel too well,” said Shining Star.

  Gus brightened and said, “Sure, I think I understand. Louis, Crystal, Mr. Bixbee, and me aren’t from Tetra. Shining Star is the only one that was born here.
Isn’t that it, Louis?”

  “You’ve got it! The reason why we don’t get sick is because we’re all from Earth. Somehow, the poisons found in the vegetables and fruit here don’t have any effect on us. It’s sort of like allergies. Some people have them and others don’t. I can’t explain it, but the poisons don’t have any affect on us. Shining Star is affected because he is the only one in our group who was born here on Tetra.”

  “This is a remarkable demonstration of logic, Louis. You astound me,” Mr. Bixbee complimented.

  Shining Star was feeling better. “I’m glad that you can all eat now, but. . .”

  “That’s right! We can eat, but what’s going to happen to Shining Star? He can’t go on without food like this. We need to find him something to eat too!” Crystal exclaimed.

  “I agree. We’ll go after our stolen food as soon as we eat and get our strength back. We’ll pack extra fruit and vegetables from these trees before we leave,” said Louis.

  They ate with gusto and satiated their hunger. They were entertained by the novel effects of eating the various fruit and veggies. There was constant laughter as their skin mimicked the various colors and patterns of the food they ate.

  “Wow, I guess this gives new meaning to the old saying, ‘you are what you eat’, doesn’t it?” laughed Gus.

  “I would also say that we should ‘watch what we eat’ as well,” joked Mr. Bixbee.

  When everyone was quite content with their fill of food, they packed as many rations into their pockets as they could and continued the pursuit for their pilfered rations.

  They walked for an hour when it became apparent that Shining Star was losing strength at an alarming rate. He was barely able to stand up. Gus, Louis, Crystal, and Mr. Bixbee stood on each side of Shining Star and propped him up by his large wings to make it easier for him to walk.

  “I don’t know if I’ll be able to last much longer,” Shining Star said breathlessly. “We, Zeeboos, are strong creatures, but we need to eat frequently. If we cannot sustain ourselves by eating often, we perish. I don’t want to be a burden to you all. Since there is no food available for me to eat, and I am slowing your progress, I think it would be better if I were left behind. You must continue your journey without my hindering everyone.”

  “That is ridiculous! We will definitely not leave you behind. We will find food for you somehow. Do not lose heart,” said Mr. Bixbee.

  The others agreed wholeheartedly.

  “You are all my very good friends,” said Shining Star emotionally.

  #

  The trail of crumbs dwindled and became very scarce. If they didn’t catch up with the thief soon, Shining Star would die of hunger. Everyone was extremely worried and hardly a word was spoken as they slowly pursued the bandit.

  Shining Star stumbled and couldn’t go on. He laid down and turned on his side, shaking from the effects of starvation.

  “Please don’t die, Shining Star. Please!” Crystal cried.

  It was especially difficult for Crystal to see Shining Star so weak. She always had a big heart for animals and creatures of all sorts. But Shining Star wasn’t just an animal, he had become a close friend.

  Louis’s eyes began filling with tears from frustration and sadness. It was Shining Star who always encouraged him when things looked darkest. He was such a noble creature, always thinking about others before himself. Louis felt helpless and terribly forlorn. In Shining Star’s time of urgent need, Louis couldn’t do anything to help.

  Everyone knelt around Shining Star in order to comfort him. They stroked his beautiful mane and spoke softly to him.

  “Things will be okay,” Louis said. “Remember, you always tell me to believe and not give up. You have to do the same, okay?”

  Shining Star was too weak to respond, but he felt the presence of everyone hovering over him. I have such good friends, he thought to himself. I have such very good friends, and then slipped into unconsciousness.

  “Shining Star! Shining Star!” Crystal cried. “Don’t leave us!”

  Mr. Bixbee leaned over and listened carefully to Shining Star’s heart. “He’s still alive but I do not know how much longer he will be able to hang on. If he is to survive, we must get him some food quickly!”

  Louis sobered himself and took action. “I’m going on ahead of you all. Everyone stay here and look after Shining Star. I’m going after the thief who took our food. At this point, one can travel faster than as a group.”

  “You’re not going without me!” Crystal said as she stood up to follow. “I’m not about to let you leave and face danger all by yourself. It’s time someone looked after you for a change,” she said defiantly.

  “I guess it’s no use for me to argue with you, is it?”

  “No!”

  “Well, I think this point has just been decided by Crystal for me,” he said to the others.

  “Okay, you will go with me. The rest of you keep Shining Star as comfortable as you can. Gus, make sure everyone is safe,” Louis said. “Let’s go, Crystal.”

  They ran off in hope of finding the food in time. The crumbs were getting further apart in distance. If they made a mistake and turned in the wrong direction, it would be virtually impossible to pick up on the trail again.

  They didn’t have time to spare in getting lost. They continued to follow what was left of the crumbs until the trail suddenly stopped at the base of a large tree.

  “Now, what?” Crystal asked.

  “The trail ends here. Maybe whoever stole our food climbed up this tree,” Louis said as he looked up at the huge branches.

  Without hesitation, Crystal announced, “I’m going up. You don’t like heights so you might as well stay down here and catch me if I slip and fall.”

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” he said with concern.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Remember, you always say I can probably climb trees in my sleep,” she smiled.

  Crystal was extremely skillful in climbing. She loved little critters and animals so much that she was always climbing trees to see them up close. Her parents lectured her on the hazards, but they could never stop her from climbing for very long. Over time, they realized she was sensible enough to climb safely without taking unnecessary risks. Just the same, they wished their daughter could have taken up an activity less nerve-racking for them.

  Crystal was half way up when she spotted the stolen food. “I’ve found it!” she said with excitement. She continued up and scooted carefully on the branch where the sacks of food were. She carefully grabbed the satchels one by one. She looked inside them and was relieved to find most of the food still there. But one bag was practically empty and lined with cracker crumbs.

  “Whoever ate out of this bag was probably responsible for the trail we’ve been following,” she said. “It’s a good thing for us that this thief is so sloppy! We wouldn’t have been able to find the food if it wasn’t for that!” she yelled down to Louis.

  “Who’s sloppy?” said a voice from beneath a huge leaf-covered branch.

  “Who said that?” Crystal asked.

  “I did,” the voice replied. Crystal looked but no one was there.

  “Louis, are you sure the fruit we ate didn’t have an effect on us?” she shouted.

  “I’m pretty sure. Why, are you starting to feel sick?”

  “No, but I’m beginning to hear voices. Somebody is talking to me up here but I don’t see anybody,” she said with anxiety.

  “Don’t move. I’m coming up!”

  “But, Louis, you’re afraid of heights!”

  “It doesn’t matter. I need to find out what’s going on up there.” He could sense that Crystal was terribly scared and was concerned that she would fall. He climbed up slowly. Each successive step became harder than the previous one. His breathing became strained and sweat broke out on his brow. He forced himself not to look down. After what seemed like an eternity to him, he reached the branch where Crystal was.

  “I didn
’t think you would make it up here, Louis. You look terrified.”

  “I am. But let’s change the subject. The less I think about being this high off the ground, the better it will be for me. What happened?”

  “I was checking the sacks of food when a voice came out of nowhere and spoke up.”

  “What did it say?”

  “It said it wasn’t sloppy.”

  “It wasn’t sloppy?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t know what happened up here, but we have to get going with this food,” Louis said.

  “Finders keepers, losers weepers,” said a disembodied voice.

  “What was that?” Louis said in surprise.

  “That’s the voice I heard,” Crystal pointed to the branch where it was coming from.

  The voice without a body continued, “You cannot take this food. I found it fair and square. It is mine and I won’t let you take it away from me!”

  “But you didn’t find the food. You took it from us when we were all asleep. That is considered stealing from where we come from. This food rightfully belongs to us!” Louis retorted.

  “If you try to take it away from me, I’ll hurt you! You’d better go away before I decide to beat you all up. If you leave now, nothing will happen to you,” said the voice.

  For some reason, Louis didn’t believe the creature. If it were so tough, why it didn’t just show itself instead of hiding? The situation reminded Louis of how his dad’s friends would come over to play poker every so often. They didn’t have any official poker chips. They used jelly beans instead.

  “This way nobody loses any money and we can eat whatever we win,” his dad had laughed and explained.

  His father said that in the game of poker, it was important to be able to judge who was bluffing. Bluffing meant a card player was pretending to have winning cards even though he didn’t. The idea of this strategy was to scare the other players into giving up. In this particular case with the invisible voice, Louis had a very strong feeling that the voice was bluffing too.

  “If you want to fight, that’s fine with me but we’re still taking this food back. It belongs to us and not you!” he yelled at the voice.

  “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Louis. Fighting with an invisible creature is not my idea of fun.”