In the late hours of the morning, a girl named Sania was driving to the supermarket. She had just gotten her driver's license, so she decided to be a good child and help her mother go for grocery shopping; at the same time she can also get experience behind the wheels.
She drove carefully and slowly, spending more time driving than experienced drivers would. When she got to the supermarket she parked the car and sighed in relieve, like she had been holding her breath the whole journey. She got off the car, and happily walked into the building.
This was her first time driving alone. Even after she got her license to drive one month ago, her parents won't still let her drive alone, saying she still needed more supervision. It took her a whole lot of effort and time to convince them to let her drive all by herself. She had promised to be extremely careful and to drive slowly.
Inside the supermarket Sania bought all the vegetables her mom requested. She got everything on her list and she walked to the counter and payed for all she got.
She walked out of the supermarket and walked to her car. She drove out into the road. She drove the car a bit faster this time feeling more confident in her driving abilities.
After driving for three minutes a Pig suddenly ran to the middle of the road unexpectedly, causing Sania to hit the brakes immediately. She was startled because of the brave unreasonble act of the pig. She was still two meters away.
She honked to scare the pig away but it didn't move a muscle. Instead it stared at the car with sweet relieve in it's eyes.
Sania was confused because this was an unexpected reaction from a pig.
She paused to think; she can't reverse and drive in the opposite direction because that doesn't lead home nor could she move forward because the pig has decided to be a road block.
She honked again but the pig grunted back in response. This continued for the next two minutes. When Sania saw this wasn't getting her anywhere, she got down from the car and walked to the pig, she bent down then said to the it gently.
"Little Pig, please move from the road and let me drive through."
She always thought Pigs weren't the preetest creature but this one looked surprisingly pleasing to the eyes.
The Pig grunted happily after hearing her voice.
"Little pig, why are you standing here? You should be with your other piggy friends. Are you lost?"
Sania asked worriedly. She wondered what the pig was doing here all by itself. What if someone steals it and cooks it for dinner. Although she doesn't know anyone who would do such a thing. She couldn't help but think so.
She knew only one person who reared pigs and that was Mr Butcher. He would be worried and looking for it if it was his.
"This pig doesn't speak the same language as you. So he definately doesn't understand what you are saying.
I will drive more slowly towards it; then it will have no choice but to move from the road. Problem solved." Sania thought to herself.
She stood on her feet and walked towards the car. The pig followed right behind her. She turned back saw the pig looking at her. She moved one step and so did the pig.
Papè the pig was so happy to finally see a face he recognise. He had seen this face before in the farm and thought she might help him finally go home.
Sania wondered why the pig was following her, and then understood.
"Do you want me to send you home little pig."
The pig grunted happily as if it understood what she said.
"Of course I would help."
Sania said smiling, very happy to do charity for the pig.
Sania lead the pig to the back seat and opened the door and said.
"Hop in you smart pig."
So Papè hopped into the car happily, he turned and looked at girl with so much gratitude in his eyes. He had never been so happy in the past twenry four hours. It was like he found the saving light at the darkest moment of his life. His gratitude can't be measured in words.
The girl placed him on the seat and strapped the seat belt. Papè has never been so comfortable in his life, he was in deep euphoria. Sania got in the car and drove to Mr Butcher's farm. When she got to the gate she stopped the car cane out and helped the pig out as well.
She pushed the gate open since it was not locked. She walked in and then saw Mr Butcher walking towards them hurriedly. She too walked faster to meet him. But the pig beated her to it, it ran to meet Mr Butcher and circled round him grunting in pure delight.
"Good Afternoon Mr Butcher."
Sania greeted with a smile. When she got to him.
"Afternoon Sania, did you find my pig?"
Mr Butcher asked the obvious with a big smile on his face.
He had been so worried when he came to the farm only to discover Papè was gone and his food untouched.
He had bought some medicine for Papè, and had left him some food and water so when he woke up he could eat.
He had kept it just a few steps behind the sleeping pig, different from the usual spot. So the other pigs won't eat it.
"Yes I did Mr Butcher. I found him in the middle of the road before the supermarket. He was all by himself."
Sania explained.
"Oh! Sania, you just saved me a lot of trouble. I was so worried when I couldn't find him. I wondered where my sick pig went."
Mr Butcher said in a grateful manner.
"He looks healthy to me and happy too. He's jumping around."
Sania said after observing Papè once more.
"I am surprised. He wasn't feeling too well last night but now he looks fine, and that's goodnews."
Mr Butcher said in delight.
She and Mr Butcher spoke for three more minutes and she observed that he was very fond of the pig she found.
She felt she had spent enough time with Mr Butcher and wanted to go home to keep her parents from worrying. So she said to Mr Butcher.
"I'm going to take my leave now. Have a wonderful day sir."
"Don't leave yet, let me get you some fresh milk."
Mr Butcher said.
"Thank you so much Mr Butcher I'm really greatful. I appreciate your kindness."
She said over joyed, she suddenly remembered that they were low on milk and her mother didn't put that on the list.
"Please follow me my lady. Let's go get the milk."
Mr Butcher said in a gentle man manner; with his head slightly bowed.
Sania blushed and laughed at his kind gesture. She was never bored when she was around Mr Butcher. She usually come visiting with her parents and always enjoy his company.
"Mom will be very pleased with this news Mr Butcher.
Sania said while walking.
"Tell your mom I said it's my pleasure."
"Sure I will."
Sania replied.
Ten minutes later, she and Mr Butcher were walking towards the gate with a pig following behind.
She was holding two kegs of milk and Mr Butcher another two. He had offered to help carry them. She was very happy because of Mr Butcher's generosity. He is known to be generous but she wasn't expecting this much from him.
When they got to the gate, Pape pushed open the gate with his snot. This made Sania to think.
"This is one very smart pig. He makes a good company for Mr Butcher. Now I see why he is fond of this pig."
She opened the car and got inside. Mr Butcher helped her to put the milk he was holding into the car, and she expressed her gratitude to him.
Out of curiousity she asked him.
"Does this pig always follow you around?"
Mr Butcher chuckled and said.
"When ever he gets the chance."
Mr Butcher paused after seeing the 'I expected it' expression on her face Then continued.
"And his name is Papè
He said somewhat proudly.
"Did you also name the other pigs."
Sania asked not expecting him to be so biased to this pig.
"No"
Mr Butcher replied.
"So he is special?"
She said thinking,
"This pig has captured his heart."
"Yes, very special."
He said smiling remembering their fun moments together.
"Drive safely"
Mr Butcher added then waved his hand.
"Goodbye Mr Butcher, Goodbye little Papè."
Sania said brightly before driving off, slowly again.