The Hidden Path - 7 - Chasing Susie

The next morning, after getting out of bed and getting dressed, Henry went to the kitchen to have breakfast. He went to his chair and sat down.

Mom was busy in the kitchen. “Good morning, little explorer!” she said with a smile.

“Morning, Mom,” Henry said, smiling.

Mom put a plate of toast and jam in the middle of the table. Henry spread some jam on a piece of toast as Mom sat in her chair.

“What are your plans for today,” Mom asked as she reached for a piece of toast.

“Dunno,” Henry replied as he looked into the kitchen. He leaned back on his chair and looked around the corner in to the lounge room. “Where’s Susie?” he asked.

“She left a few minutes ago,” Mom answered. “She said she had places to go and people to see.”

“Weird,” Henry said half to himself. “She always sleeps later than me.”

“Yes,” Mom said, “She was very excited and ready for a busy day. She seemed to have something on her mind.”

Henry hoped he was wrong, but he was guessing Suzie had his cave on her mind. She wants more rubies. That was his guess. Oh boy, he thought to himself, I hope she doesn’t get cooked by the fire-breathing dragon! I better go help her!

Henry shoved the remaining chunk of toast into his mouth, pushed his chair back from the table and stood quickly.

“What’s got you in such a sudden hurry?” Mom asked.

Henry tried to talk, but his mouth was too full. He managed a couple of big chews and then said in a garbled voice, “I’m gonna go find Susie.”

“Ok,” Mom said. “Have fun and be careful.”

The Hidden Path
a fairytale by David Edgren

“I will, Mom,” Henry said. I just hope Susie was careful enough not to get fried.

Henry checked to see that his pouch was hanging around his neck as he rushed out the door. He navigated his way through town taking the shortest route possible to the waterwheel.

He didn’t want to run, because then people would wonder where he was going in such a hurry. And, knowing his friends, somebody would follow him. So, he tried to walk quickly but still look at shop windows and smile at people as he walked through town.