The Midnight Feast

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the forest as the creatures of Villains International prepared for a midnight feast. The Nutty Professor, a squirrel known for his obsession with nuts, was bustling about, making final arrangements.

“What oh whato what preparing for a midnight feast or what?” exclaimed Ckut, a curious and lively character known for his constant chatter.

“Ah, food and feast, the only two things you can think of,” replied the Nutty Professor, slightly annoyed. “Besides, there’s still a few hours left for midnight, for your information.”

“If you get up and about, old man, anytime becomes midnight,” Ckut retorted.

“Oh really, like you go nuts every time you see a nut anywhere. Speaking of which, where did you get such a colossal walnut from? Never seen any bigger in my life before,” asked Ckut, eyeing a massive walnut.

“Neither have I, and I am called The Nutty Professor by all the squirrels across the meadows of Chanal. I spotted it yesterday lying under the walnut tree by the little M pond on the way to the river. I tried rolling it down here but couldn’t, so this morning I borrowed the wheelbarrow off M of the Mole as he lay blissfully asleep in his burrow. I managed to bring it back home. Should last me a month at least unless you and your two guests get hungry tonight,” the Nutty Professor explained.

“Who are they, by the way? The introductions would have been done by now if you had ceased your non-stop chatter,” said the Nutty Professor, turning to the two new faces.

“I am Dian,” said one.

“And I’m Rashan,” added the other.

“And I am Ckut, also known as The Nutcracker in addition to the Nutty Professor. I have many names,” said Ckut proudly. “Well, now that we know each other, you can lend me your hands to unload the nut before the mole comes sniffing for his wheelbarrow.”

“Sure, we will be glad to,” Dian and Rashan agreed.

The group worked together to unload the enormous walnut. It was a tough job, but with teamwork, they managed to control it.

“Careful! That was a tough nut to control,” said the Nutty Professor. “Thanks for your help, not that you did much apart from poking me from time to time.”

“We did help!” protested Dian and Rashan.

“But still, what are you doing over here anyway?” asked Ckut.

“Perfection? But why?” asked Ckut.

“Our parents and teachers keep telling us that we must be perfect in whatever we do. That is why we need to get hold of perfection. Like I got the first prize in a dance competition,” explained Dian.

“Wow!” exclaimed Ckut.

“But my teacher said, ‘Good, but your mudras were not perfect all the time. You need to practice more.’ And I got 96 in my last math exam, but my father said, ‘Good, but you must study. You must get 100. You must be perfect,’” continued Rashan.

“And how do you think you’re going to go about finding perfection?” asked the Nutty Professor.

“We don’t really know. We are kind of lost. Can you tell us where we are?” asked Dian.

“That I can do. Dian and Rashan, you are very brave,” said Ckut.

“We are brave? I thought we were a bit scared and lost, and that is why we ask for your help,” said Rashan.

“Ahuh, that makes you not just brave but very brave. Asking for help makes us brave. That’s the bravest thing you can do. Ask for help. Remember kids, asking for help is not giving up; it is refusing to give up. You are at your strongest when you refuse to show your weaknesses,” said Ckut. “But enough of this philosophical talk. It’s time for you to go now. Your journey awaits. Before you go, give me a hug. I love hugs.”

Dian and Rashan hugged Ckut, feeling a warmth spread through them.

“Now that you’ve been touched by Ckut’s magic hugs, the art of which he has learned from his dad, you can now venture forth with confidence. May God be with you, Dian and Rashan,” said the Nutty Professor as they prepared to continue their quest for perfection.