• Theo journeyed to the market. Pigs cost the least but they were more than a penny. Disappointed, he walked home through a forest with a penny in one hand and the other hand empty. Then he heard a rustling sound in the bushes and he shook with fear. He had heard the story of the hungry wolf-bird pack and had believed it entirely. The rustling came again, and then he heard a growling behind him. He held his breath, closed his eyes tight, and…
    Nothing happened. Theo could still hear growling. So he daringly looked behind him.
    A skunk! An itty-bitty skunk! The growling sound came again.

    “My goodness, you sound hungry!” said Theo

    “Yes. I’m very hungry. Would you be so kind as to feed me?” said the skunk

    “Gee! You can talk!”

    “And?”

    “Skunks cannot talk! I’ve gone mad!”

    “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re not mad! You’re right, skunks cannot talk, but I am not a skunk. I’m a human!”

    “Alas, I’m seeing a skunk, not a human! I’m mad I tell you! Mad!”

    “Stop it! I know you see a skunk!”

    “So are you skunk or a human?”

    “I’m both! A scientist named Patyr turned me into a skunk! I just need shelter. Oh Please.”

    Then sparked an idea. This skunk could be the pet! The two talked a little while and Theo established that the skunk was named Duntin. Theo told Duntin all bout his problems in life and all about himself. As they neared Theo’s mansion, Duntin squealed and hid in Theo’s traveling bag. Theo thought to himself, ‘I’m scared of that place too!’

    “Don’t be afraid, Duntin! It may look scary, but inside Madam has decorated it so very well!”

    “Who’s Madam?”

    “My wife. Her real name is Elise, but she orders me to call her Madam.”