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D-Vos
BEEBO woke up one morning all bright and chirpy. It was a Saturday and there was no Kindy School today. He quickly dressed and went over to Peeper's house to play. At Peeper's house, Beebo was sitting in a corner of the garden playing with his toys as he waited for his friend. "Hi, Peeper! Wanna play in the field?" "No," said Peeper. "Wanna stay here and play?" "No." "Wanna go to my house and play?" "No." "Are you ill?" "No." "What's wrong then?" "Nothing," whispered Peeper as he went back into his house and slammed the door. Beebo was stumped. He didn't understand what was bothering Peeper. Why did Peeper behave so strangely? He wasn't even related to the Stranges. But Beebo refused to let it spoil his wonderfullysuperfantabulous day. He promptly went to the town field to play with the other children.
On Monday at school, Peeper was sitting next to Weirdo which was strange. Not only was Weirdo a Strange child, as that was his surname, but he was also strange. But what was really strange was that Peeper would sit next to Weirdo! Nobody liked sitting next to the Strange twins -- Weirdo and Weirdel, because the Strange children took pleasure in teasing and playing tricks on all the children at Kindy School. Peeper usually sat next to Beebo in class. But today he was sitting next to Weirdo. The day only became curiouser and curiouser. At lunch Peeper played with other kids and as soon as Beebo came over to join in the games, Peeper walked away! It was almost as if Peeper was angry with Beebo and didn't want to be friends with him anymore! But they had been friends for a long time, since they were both in diapers, and they were the bestest of best pals. Beebo didn't understand it. Why was Peeper behaving so strangely? And he wasn't even related to the Strange family! It bothered Beebo so much that he went up to Peeper that evening and spoke to him. "Peeper, what's wrong? Why won't you play or talk with me anymore? Are you angry with me?" But not a peep was heard from his best friend. Peeper just shrugged and walked away. Beebo was really upset now. He became more and more miserable as the minutes and the hours passed. Playing in the field was no fun. Watching the telly was boring. He didn't enjoy eating. Sleeping was hard because Peeper was in all his dreams. In them, he and Peeper played and laughed as they so often had in the past.
The next day at Kindy the same thing happened -- Peeper still sat with Weirdo and wouldn't play or talk with Beebo. After all the years of friendship, was it all to end? And like this? But why? Beebo could see no way out. What could he do? Would Peeper ever speak with him again? Would their friendship ever be the same? Would lunch be ready when he got home? So many questions unanswered. Beebo plodded home. And when he got there, what should he see outside his house but a pile of his toys! Toys he had lent to Peeper! Beebo ran into the house, with a broad smile on his face, yelling: "Peeper? Peeper?" But the only answer he got was from Mummy Biddy. "Beebo, Peeper just dropped by. He wanted to return all your toys. Isn't that nice of him?" "He WHAT?!!"
Beebo marched over to Peeper's house. He had to find out the truth. When he got there, Beebo saw Peeper's Dad, Mr Pooper, leaving the house with his bags. He must have been going on a trip. Probably to the city or somewhere. Auntie Pooper was standing at the door crying and Peeper was clinging to her skirt with tears streaming down his face.
Beebo didn't understand what was going on. Mr Pooper must have been going on a really long trip. That's why Auntie Pooper and Peeper were crying. They would miss him. Beebo went over and put his arm over Peeper's shoulder. "Don't worry, Peeper. Your Dad will be home soon." Auntie Pooper just ran into the house sobbing much louder. "Peeper?" "Oh Beebo, you don't understand," said Peeper in between sobs. The two friends walked over to the garden and sat down. "My Daddy is not coming back," said Peeper in a quiet voice. "What do you mean? Isn't he going on a bis-nest trip or a holiday?" "No. He won't be coming back." "How do you know? Are you sure?" "I heard Daddy say so to Mummy when they were yelling." "Why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't know what to do. I think it's my fault. I must have done something bad. That's why Daddy is going away." Beebo didn't say a word. He didn't know what to say. "Do you think it's my fault, Beebo?" "I dunno, Peeper. Maybe if you pray hard, your Daddy will come back?"
Peeper prayed hard everyday for the next week. And he was extra good. He didn't lie, he helped his Mummy around the house and he was even kind to Weirdo and Weirdel. But Daddy didn't come back. One day when he was saying his prayers: "Dear God, please bring my Daddy back. I miss him. I know I haven't been a good boy. But I'm trying to be good now. And I promise I'll be good ... if you will bring Daddy back." Peeper's Mummy heard his prayer and sat him down. "Peeper," said Mrs Pooper, "it is not your fault that Daddy went away. He wasn't ... he isn't angry with you. He just wanted to start a new life. And you know how Daddy and Mummy have been arguing and yelling at each other?" Peeper nodded. "Well, we decided it was best that we live separately since we are not the best of friends anymore. But you'll still see your Daddy. He'll come and see you now and then and he doesn't hate you, Peeper. We both love you. It's not your fault. What happened was between your Daddy and me. "We both love you very much, no matter if you've been naughty or good."
Peeper told Beebo what Mummy had told him. And Peeper promised Beebo that if he ever had another problem they would share it and they would help each other solve it. For that's what friends are for. Beebo and Peeper remained friends. And sometimes they just sat under the sun in the field by the stream and watched the birds. And enjoyed the silence. They learnt that sometimes you don't have to say anything to enjoy each other's company. Especially when you're the bestest of best friends.
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