[Closed For Editting]The Arnashian Sagas : The Genesis

Chapter 4

Snoopy, Dirk's badger, peeked from underneath his jersey, to see what was happening. "Hullo my old Snoops, want some nuts?", said Dirk as he produced some nuts from his pocket. Suddenly two more badgers came out of his pocket. "Oh you all want some too?", asked Dirk. "From where did those two come?", asked Sarah. "Er I found them at the back of the house.", said Dirk. "Don't you think Mum will scold you if she sees them?", asked Sarah. "Don't worry, they won't come out till I signal them.", said Dirk. "Your badgers, your responsibility.", said Sarah.

Dirk had a way with animals. He could tame animals easily and could communicate and understand them well.

That day was spent playing, watching television (with Dirk watching T20 cricket match, England vs. Australia), going out to meet friends who lived in the city but attended other school.

Mr. Truscott returned home at 8 pm. As the Truscott family sat down to dinner, Mr. Truscott said "I have something important to tell to you all.", said Mr. Truscott looking a bit serious. Mrs. Truscott caught Sarah's eyes and she said "I think you two should go-". "I said all, Anna.", said Mr. Truscott. "As you wish", said Mrs. Truscott. Dirk and Phyllis who didn't know anything and could not understand anything looked from their mother to father.

"We are going to shift..... To our country house - " . "I did not know we had a country house too.", interrupted Dirk. "Well it was recently purchased.", said Mr. Truscott. " As I was saying, it's in a large village with very good scenic beauty. It's called Inglehampton. I thought it would be a good idea to shift there. The place is pollution free, everything there is pure, cold fresh winds blow there. And on top of that I am bored of my government job. So I have left it and took up a job in the mill."

"Thats a great idea, dear", said Mrs. Truscott. Sarah looked at her mother. She was trying to act casual and cheerful. "You mean we are shifting permanently? Forever?", asked Dirk dismally. "I am afraid yes.", said Mr. Truscott. "But, but, Dad why? Whats the matter with the city? The job? What will happen to our school?", asked Dirk. "I told you beforehand why we are shifting. Dirk, you have to learn to adjust. And as for your schooling there are bunches of day school out there.", said Mr. Truscott.

"That means we won't be able to meet our friends ever again?", asked Phyllis sadly. "No dear, we can come to the city sometimes to visit your friends.", said Mr. Truscott. "When will our shifting take place?", asked Sarah speaking for the first time in the dinner table. "Presumably by day after tomorrow.", said Mr. Truscott.

The next day, the maids, especially Lorna, who was the children's favourite, cried as they bade them good-bye. Lorna had taken care of all three of them, when they were newborns and was one of the oldest maids. Many unknown people were coming to visit their house.

"Child, we need to sell our pets too.....", said Mrs. Truscott dejectedly. "What? Our pets? But why?", asked Dirk looking askew. "We cannot afford for the maintenance of our pets. You know what state your father is in?", said Mrs. Truscott pleadingly. "But - ", Dirk. "Its alright Mommy, if you and Daddy think its the best then you sell my goldfishes. I would be glad if I can help Daddy in his need.", said Phyllis. "Oh darling....", said Mrs. Truscott hugging Phyllis. "Yes Mum I am ready to give away Tia too.", said Sarah.

"Ok you can have Snoopy too. And I have two more badgers. Sell them too if you want.", said Dirk sighing. "Thank you. Thank you so much, kids. Everything will become all right, you will see. We have to act a bit poor, I guess, but as long as we are with each other, united and helpful, I think nothing will go wrong..... We have to hope for the best.", said Mrs. Truscott.

They bade their pets goodbye. "I don't know whether we meet again but please don't forget me. I am giving you this ribbon, don't let anybody touch or open it. I know you are a good boy.", said Sarah tying a small red ribbon on Tia's foot as he had his left foot forward. "Bye my dears. I am gonna miss you. Take care of yourselves.", said Dirk to his team of badgers. "Well speaking to my goldfishes is like speaking to the walls... Its no use telling them goodbye. They are too stupid to know that we never meet again.", said Phyllis. Sarah laughed.

After their mother left the room, Dirk wondered "Why did Dad leave his job and opt for moving to the countryside? I cannot understand this 'acting poor' part. Its very complicated..". "Maybe he did this for our own good. He thought that if we are brought up away from the city, 'acting a bit poor', then we will grow up to be good people. I hope you see...", said Sarah. "What kind of a theory is that?", said Dirk. "I believe Daddy. Its for our own good.", said Phyllis. "Yeah, I think it would be better not to think about this.", said Sarah remembering the conversation which she had overheard the night when their father had arrived. 

At night as Sarah settled down to sleep, she thought, "This is the last time I am going to sleep on this bed in my own room. I don't know what will happen tomorrow. What does fate hold for us?". As she thought these, she gradually fell into the deep chasms of sleep, dreaming of a different world.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear readers,

Did you like this chapter? I hope you did. I will try to write the next chapter even better. Sometimes I feel if was in their place. Please keep voting and commenting. And thnx a lot. Please stay tuned.

Yours sincerely and affectionately,

Ana :)