Jiska and Kow'bakari
Once upon a time, there was a pup. That pup was small, and black and white, and all alone in a very big world. That pup’s name was Kow’bakari. Now, alone isn’t a good thing when you’re a puppy. Who knows what kind of junk you will get yourself in to. Not to mention, food. Now that is a problem. So needless to say, when the starving pup was lying on the floor, and a large chunk of meat was dumped in front of him, he was ecstatic.
He quickly hopped to his paws, attacking the food before even beginning to wonder where it came from. And then that smacked him in the face. “Hey! “ A voice boomed, shooing him away from the food, and Kow whimpered, looking up to… another wild dog. That looked a lot like him, ooh.
“Don’t you have anything to say? “ The older dog snarled, and the up looked up at him incredulously. “I’m… hungry? “ He piped up, hopefully, looking from the older dog to the food. But the older male seemed unconvinced. “And…? “ He egged the pup on, pulling the chunk of meat, which looked like it was once been part of a zebra, towards himself.
Mmm… zebra… “Uh. Can I please have some food, sir? “ He looked up at the older male again, his best puppy-dog look on. But sadly, that didn’t seem to work. The other dog looked thoughtful for a while.
“Where are your folks, pup? “ Kow frowned. Why was he changing the subject? Could he have food or not?! He huffed, and apparently the other dog sensed some puppy-tantrum coming on, because he was quick to shoot anything down. “Answer. Now. “ And that startled Kow into paying attention.
“Uh!! I don’t have any! Well, I never had a dad. And I dun’no where mama went. Or maybe where I went! I haven’t seen her in a while. “ He frowned. He did miss his mama. “Hey! You look like me! Are you my dad? “ Ah, kids say the darnest things.
Now it was Jiska’s turn to be surprised. What an.. insolent pup! He frowned. But the pup did have a point. And frankly, Jiska wouldn’t doubt it himself. After all, he knew what games he’d played… But… Best be noncommittal. So he ignored the question.
“Alright. Eat. “ He pushed the meat back in to the pups reach, and the small thing seemed to happily forget about his previous question. He lied down, watching as the pup at the remains of a zebra he’d scavenged. He’d been saving the meat for himself, but he’d had a theory when he had seen the pup. Yes, a theory. May or may not work with this one. Hm.
A pup. It’s a good start, isn’t it? Raise it to be loyal, do what you want… His pondering was soon interrupted by a sound. A surprisingly loud sound. It was a burp. From the pup. Rather comically, Jiska let his view focus again, and somehow the pup had managed to wolf down most of something that was about as big as he was. Wow. The scrawny little pup now looked rather round, and it was… somewhat funny. And rather disheartening. Dumb pup. “Thankyou! “ Kow exclaimed, flopping back on his haunches and looking extremely happy now that he’d had some decent meal. Oh yes, this definitely beat the beetles he’d been eating!
“What’s your name, mister? I’m Kow’Bakari! But you can just call me Kow if you want! “ Jiska stared at the cheerful pup. Uuuugh, he was in for a long ride, wasn’t he? “Jiska. “ He answered, not sounding even remotely as excited as the small pup. “Oooh! I like that name! It’s neat. What does it mean? My mama said my name meeeeeans…. “ He paused. Oh no! He’d forgotten what it meant! “Well, I don’t remember. “ H admitted.
“Nothing. “ Jiska shrugged. He’d never cared about what his name meant. If it meant anything. Jiska didn’t really remember much of his pup-hood.
And now there was a rather awkward silence, in which Kow sad and tried not to stare at the older male. Well, at least he’d settled down a bit. But he huffed. He was bored! And this was a crime, because now he actually kinda-sorta had energy to play! Well, maybe he was a bit full for running around, but… Hm.
“Hey! Can you teach me how ta hunt? So I can get food for myself! “
Now this intrigued Jiska. Or at least amused him. “You, hunt? Hah! “ He couldn’t help laughing, and Kow, feeling his little-boy toughness threatened, frowned. “What?! I can hunt! I just dunno how yet! “ He cried, ears back. But this Jiska-guy was still laughing at him. Hmph! “I’ll show you! Watch! “ And he puffed up and promptly jumped on what remained of the dead deer with a menacing growl.
And some sort of bone poked out and whacked him in the face, and he yelped helplessly, which only prompted more laughter from the older male.
Kow frowned. “Th… that didn’t count! “ He sniffed, rubbing his nose.
“Sure, “ Jiska wheezed, causing Kow’s frown to turn more towards scowl. “Honest! I can hunt! “ He insisted, but he was quietly losing faith. At least Jiska seemed to stop laughing.
“Okay, okay. Here’s what we’ll do. You’re too young to hunt now, aright? You’re small and frankly, you’re kinda pathetic, kid. “ Kow gasped at this, but Jiska went on. “Nothing to be ashamed ‘bout, you’re just a pup after all. “ Well, okay, Kow could agree to that, he supposed. “So, tell you what. Stick with me, and I’ll teach you how to hunt. “
Oooh. Okay. Wait, what? “Really?! “ Kow was now a very happy puppy. And he was throwing a little party, until Jiska got fed up with it. “Yes, really. “ The older male said impatiently, getting to his paws.
“Now come on. It’s been a long day. “ Yes, very long. He’d had to walk around and find a dead zebra, oh the horror. “There’s an abandoned den that way. “ And without waiting for a response, Jiska turned and walked off.
Kow was surprised by this sudden change of action, but quickly bounded up next to Jiska. “Oh, this is so—“
“Quietly. “
And Kow shushed up. For a while. “You’re my bestest friend now! “
Oh, Jiska, what have you done?
