Chapter 7.

The beautiful Spring had just left, and a very hot Summer had arrived. It was so hot that John would get dehydrated very easily. He would take numerous trips to the stream to drink water and cool down. One scorching hot afternoon, John was with his friends, the giraffe, coyote, and butterfly. Together, they were laying in the grass and relaxing. 

Far away in the distance, there was a beautiful voice singing. The stranger singing continued moving in their direction with a basket in her hand. She was the most beautiful woman with big deep brown glistening eyes, youthful brown skin, and long and flowing brown locs. All the animals became scared, and thought it was the witch in disguise again. So they ran away to hide. They were all clever at hiding themselves, but John was not too successful. John hid behind a large tree, but his back arse was still visible.

The lady continued skipping and strolled in the grasslands. She leaped and leaped for joy as she sang songs. She let her cat out of the basket, as she skipped alongside her. Soon, someone sneezed.

“Who was that,” the lady said. She noticed her cat staring at an animal-looking figure behind a tree, but couldn’t quite make out what type of animal it was. The cat meowed at the animal. The cat stared at John, and John stared back in hopes that the cat would not reveal where he was hiding. The cat meowed at John again.

“Spencer,” the lady asked her cat. “Who are you talking to? Is anyone there?’

“I know you are the witch,” John replied from behind the tree. “Let me live in peace! Please!” John begged.

“What,” the lady replied. I am not a witch. “I am a lady. I come in peace.”

 John hopped from behind the tree, and the cat followed him. 

“Be gone!” John showed his tough face.

Surprised, she responds, “a purple old deer or a monster. I have not seen anything like you before.”

“Of course you haven’t. Go ahead… laugh and chuckle. You old hag.”

The lady kneeled on the ground to be at eye level with John. “You know? My name is Mikayla.” She pointed to her cat, “...and here is my cat, Spencer. I am friends with all of the animals here. We love to sing, dance, and pick flowers. I could be your friend as well.”

John walked towards Mikayla to get a closer look at her face. He got really close to observe her face. He could not believe it. She really was a lady in the grassland, the middle of nowhere. However, it was strange considering that the closest home was the witch's house, and that was miles away. No person in their right mind would think to visit the middle of nowhere, let alone visit the middle of nowhere, unless they were to have a good reason for doing so.

Spencer hopped into Mikayla’s lap and she gave him a pat on the head. Concerned, John stared into Mikayla’s eyes. With the spirit of joy in her eyes, she stared back at him. She stroked his fur, as she spoke, “I visit the grassland all of the time. I love looking the beautiful grass, trees, and flowers. Spencer and I love to play games with giraffe, coyote, and butterfly as well. Sometimes we get lucky, and they join us in skipping around. Sing with the wing and dance with the trees are fun as well. Everyday is like one big, grand party!”

“You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Will you sing me a song please?”

“Yes.” Mikayla began to sing, and John’s friends came from their hiding spots. They began dancing with each other, as Mikayla’s voice was irresistible. John laid his head in Mikayla’s lap, while Spencer and the other animals danced to Mikayla’s singing and joined in the singing on occasion, until the sun went down. Eventually, they all became tired and fell asleep.

Spencer slept next to the coyote, the coyote slept next to the giraffe, and the butterfly slept on top of the giraffe’s right shoulder. John almost fell asleep in Mikayla’s lap, wrapped in her warm and cozy arms.

Concerned, Mikayla whispered in John’s ear, “This is my other home. I feel safe here. Can I stay here with you tonight?”

John assured her, “Yes. I could use the company.”

Mikayla cuddled next to John on the grass, and together they fell asleep.