Exceptional There can be little difference between real and imaginary. Meeting Mister Pendleberry by Barry Penfold Artwork by VMarguarite at FanArtReview.com

Ben straddled his bike and was on the edge. The edge of a decision as to what track to take. A new challenge beckoned. Not as worn as the main track, but temptingly, unexplored. He shifted his stance and began pedalling. He increased his pedalling rate, along a straight stretch and then a sweeping corner, down a decline and over a hump, faster and faster. 'No fear' was his motto. The sticks crackled as they broke under the weight of the bike. The thrill of attacking a new track was leading to Ben taking some risks. Risks that could derail his adventure. He pushed further into the bush, using his skill to stay within the thin boundaries of the track. Despite his skill, a right hand turn came upon him too quickly. He felt his body separate from the bike and as he hit the ground, light became night. Ben was not sure how long he lay there on the ground. What he did know was, that something was prodding him in the back and a voice meandered through his mind. "Ben, wake up. Are you okay?" Ben's eyes opened slowly, and were confused to see a table and three chairs. He moved his head, painful as it was, and witnessed a strange scene. Something moved just to his left hand side, long ears and like the face of a dog. But he had heard a human voice- or so he thought. He looked quickly back and moved with a fright. Two deep brown eyes peered almost to his soul. "Hi, I am Mister Pendleberry." Ben smiled. What a silly name he thought. How was it that a creature looking like a dog and rabbit could have such a name. Of course this was a dream. Wasn't it? "I am glad you smiled Ben. Everybody smiles when they hear my name. I like that because smiling is so good for everybody." Ben smiled again. It was like it was contagious. He questioned, "How do you know my name?" Mister Pendleberry looked at him for awhile. Eventually he replied, "Well, if that is your bike that came crashing into my home, then the name plate tells me you are Ben." "Oh, that is smart. Yes my name is Ben." "I see that you have scratched your knee. Put some of this on. It will help you heal very quickly." With that, he thrust a strange, leaf like looking object towards Ben. "You just rub the broken end over the scratches. By tomorrow it will be like you never had them." Ben hesitated, but then followed the instructions. It was a little sticky but did not hurt at all. He smiled again and queried, "Do you have many magic potions?" "Oh, they are not magic. Mother nature supplies all of them. It is just knowing which ones are good and which ones are not so good. Perhaps I could teach you sometime?" "Umm, not sure about that. I would need my mum to say yes. You sure do live in an interesting place." Ben, now more alert, surveyed his surroundings. In addition to the table and chairs there were shelves filled with all different types of containers and plates. The floors were covered with woven mats, made of a material Ben did not recognise. As to his new host, he turned and examined him more closely. The creature was quite hairy and seemed a little ragged. The ears were long and the nose, the shape of a dog or bear. The feet were quite wide and more webbed than that of a human or dog. Certainly nothing like Ben had ever seen. "Mister Pendleberry. may I ask as to what sort of thing you are because I have never met anything like you?" "Of course you can ask. It is one of the best ways to learn." Mister Pendleberry continued, "I am a Makebelievian. My appearance is determined by those who look upon me. Everyone sees me a little bit differently. Ben pondered for a moment and moved his head closer to Mr Pendleberry's eyes. "Does that mean you are not real?" "Oh, I am real for sure. I am as real as your mother is to you. Let's just say I come from a different space. Somewhat like a person from England arriving in Africa. Different and similar at the same time." "So you are saying that make believe is really real. How come, I have not met you before this. My accident was real and now I meet you. It is confusing." "Well, the way you were pedalling put you in the category of 'an accident waiting to happen' Perhaps it happened for a reason?" Mister Pendleberry went on. "Not everyone can see the track I made. In fact, it is rare to have such a quick uptake on a new track. People need to believe before they can see the track. Most will follow the usual track simply because they cannot see the alternative." Ben was still perplexed. "What is it that I believe?" he paused, and then went on. "I mean there are often choices and I just take one of them." Mister Pendleberry rose on his hind legs and looked directly into Ben's eyes. "Ben. You believe in yourself and in others. You accept others, and because of that you see much more. You open the door to opportunity. If at first, things are not familiar, you will persevere and they then become familiar. It is about learning and then sharing what you have learnt." Ben just stood still, looking into Mister Pendleberry's deep brown eyes, as if in a spell. "It is not always easy to believe or make a choice." "No it is not. But you have that skill and as you get older it is a skill you will use much more often". "Will I be able to see you all the time?" "Yes, if you believe. Perhaps believing in your mother will assist. She is your guide. It is you though that must decide which way to go." Ben shuffled his feet and looked away from Mister Pendleberry. "I am not always good at listening to her. She gives me a good rousing at times" "Talking about a rousing, I think we had better get you home before your mum becomes concerned as to where you might be." Ben again looked around the room, a little reluctant to leave. Mr Pendleberry had been a very caring and strange host. "Yes, I agree. Where is my bike?" "Just outside. You are lucky it was not broken into pieces." Ben began to crouch and moved towards the exit of the dwelling. Seeing his bike, he picked it up and studied it with a knowing eye. A bit of surface paint had come off here and there but otherwise it looked fine. "Which way to home?" he asked Mister Pendleberry. "Look around, you will see a track." Ben looked, and there it was. Clearer now and wider than when he started out. Mounting his bike, he turned and said, "Thanks for the medicine. Can I come back another time?" "Of course you can. Just follow the track. You will find a surprise when you get back home." Smiling, Ben began to pedal and his speed increased. In next to no time he was back at home. Placing his bike into the bike rack in the garage, his mother's voice greeted him. "Glad to have you back. Wash up and I will get dinner. Oh, there is something on your bed for you. A surprise." Ben liked surprises. Well, for the most part, and he certainly had had a surprising day so far. Reaching his room he flung the door open and noticed a book in the middle of his bed. He stopped, read the title and flopped onto his bed. He determined that maybe make believe and reality did go together. No time to lose, he opened to the first page of 'The Adventures of Mister Pendleberry'. What a silly name he thought. He could not help but smile. Recognized Author Notes A lighthearted fantasy tale. Enjoy. My Post 100. Thanks, FanStory.

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