A Mother on Earth

1

The grass felt soft beneath Eli’s paws. There was a pathway made of dirt and rocks next to him, but he preferred the grass, which felt so much nicer and smelled so much sweeter, fresh and verdant with the hint of wildflowers. He could hear birds singing from the trees, and the occasional insect buzzed past his ear. Eli wasn’t sure yet where he was going. He only knew he needed to see more of his new home.

Occasionally he would see someone go by on the dirt path. Sometimes they rode a small metal frame with two wheels attached that his mother had called a “bike.” Other times they were in a noisy, smelly machine that stirred up dust as it went by, which was called a “truck.” Whenever someone passed, Eli would wave to them eagerly. But they would often give him a strange look as they passed, as if unsure what to make of the fluffy dragon, walking alone with nothing but his blankie, his paci, his bottle, and his diaper. Eli wished that someone would stop and talk to him. It had been some time since he’d had someone to talk to.

A week ago, his mother had pulled him into a long, warm embrace and explained that she needed to leave him for a time.

“But Mother, where will you go?” he had asked.

“Back to our old home, among the stars,” she had said.

“How long will you be gone?” Eli had asked.

“I don’t know,” she had said. “But I will return as soon as I am able.”

“What shall I do while you are gone?” Eli had asked.

With a sad smile, his mother had responded, “How will you keep from getting lonely?”

Eli felt tears prick his eyes, and he squeezed her tight and had answered, “When I’m lonely, I’ll suck on my paci and go to sleep, and dream that I’m with you…”

That evening after she had left, Eli had cried longer than he had ever cried. And it was only after sucking his paci that he had calmed down enough to fall asleep.

The sun was beginning to set once again, and Eli performed his nightly ritual of finding a patch of grass to lie on. Then, as he had done every night during the past week, he sucked on his paci as he looked up at the stars, searching for his mother among them.

2

Eli awoke the next morning, but something was… different. He shivered, and he felt as though something were tapping repeatedly against his fur. He opened his eyes and could see that the sky had brightened, but the sun was nowhere to be found. A diffuse grayness filled the entire sky. As he looked up, he felt a tap, tap, tapping against his nose, and he blinked when something touched his eye.

There were water droplets falling from the sky. Lots of them! Eli held out a paw and watched with interest as the tiny drops of water collected there until they formed a small puddle and then spilled over the sides.

Eli was delighted. It was rain! His mother had told him about rain. Spreading his arms and twirling, he giggled as the water fell on him. He tilted his head back and caught the droplets on his tongue. He found several puddles of water, and he jumped in them and splashed about. Soon he was on his way again, continuing his journey with a smile, accompanied by the soft pattering.

Hours later, Eli was no longer smiling. He had walked all day, until the sky was beginning to darken once more. Rain was still falling from the sky. If anything, it had started to come down harder. The rain had completely saturated his fur, his blankie, and his diaper, so that every part of him felt cold, wet, and uncomfortable.

“‘Ere now!” Eli glanced up as he heard a voice. “What do yeh think you’re doing?” A stout woman was calling to him, waving with one hooved hand while holding a shawl above her horned head with the other. She had a broad nose, tan-colored fur, and long blonde hair with a few strands of grey tied into a braid. Her large blue eyes looked down at him sternly. “Yeh can’t be goin’ about like that, lad!” she said.

Her tone surprised Eli. It was the first time anyone from his new home had spoken to him. But her voice sounded so insistent that Eli worried he must have done something wrong. “I… I’m sorry… I was just walking through, but I’ll leave, I promise…”

“Yeh’ll do no such thing!” the woman said, making her way towards him through the wet grass and beckoning towards him. “You’re going to come inside and get cleaned and warmed up, that’s what you’re gonna do!”

Eli blinked in surprise. “You… want me to come inside?”

Her stern expression softened slightly. “What a question. Aren’t yeh cold, soaked to the bone like that?” Eli nodded. “Do yeh want to stay out in the rain?” Eli shook his head. “Well then,” she said with a nod. “I won’t make yeh come, of course. But a warm bath and a hot supper is just the thing a waterlogged ragamuffin like you could use about now, dontcha think?”

Something about the way she said it made the words sound like there was a hint of playfulness behind the sharp tone, and he felt his unease slip away. He took a step towards her, and with a nod, she turned and lead the way up a small hill. “And what are yeh called, lad?” she asked as they walked.

“I’m Eli,” he said shyly.

“My name’s Maggie. Or yeh can just call me Mag.”

3

Mag led them to a small house in the middle of the grassy field. At the front door, she pointed sharply to a mat on the ground in front of it. “Wipe those paws before yeh come in.” She scuffed her hooves against the mat before opening the front door, and Eli followed her example.

Once inside, Eli immediately felt warmer. He looked around with interest. Mag’s home was modest but cozy. There was a crackling fire in the hearth which offered a comforting glow. Wooden chairs that looked to be hand-carved surrounded a small wooden table. A variety of plants, roots, and herbs hung on the wall, mingling their earthy aroma with the faint smell of wood smoke. A rocking chair and a sofa sat near the hearth, covered in thick blankets and crocheted garments. For Eli, it was the first time he had seen the inside of such a home. It all looked so welcoming and wonderful!

Mag removed the damp shawl from her head and shoulders and draped it over a rack near the hearth to dry. Then she led him to another, smaller room. Inside was a large tub which Mag began filling with warm water. After showing him how to control the water, she said, “Get yourself cleaned, and then towels are over here,” gesturing to a stack of fluffy towels on a small table nearby. She took his wet blankie before leaving the room and pulling a curtain across the doorway, offering Eli some privacy.

After filling the tub, Eli took off his soaked diaper, and then carefully stepped into the tub. The water felt hot against his toes at first, but eventually he grew accustomed to it, and then slowly, carefully, he lowered himself in.

The water felt… wonderful! Eli and his mother had bathed before in a refreshing river, but it had been nothing like this! He had never imagined he could feel so warm everywhere all at once! The bottom of the tub was curved and smooth, and he closed his eyes and sank even lower until only his nose was above the surface. Then he dunked his head completely under, blowing bubbles through his nostrils until he surfaced once again, giggling and clearing the water from his eyes.

He reached for the bar of soap Mag had shown him. It smelled lovely! It had tiny flower petals mixed within the bar, and Eli rubbed it all over himself, feeling delighted at how it made his fur smell.

4

Some time later, he heard Mag rapping her hoof against the doorframe. “When you’re finished, just bundle yourself in a towel, and then I have something you can wear,” she said from the other side of the curtain. The bath water was finally beginning to cool, so Eli pulled the plug at the bottom of the tub, and then did as instructed, wrapping a towel around his waist and then peering out around the curtain.

Mag approached him with a small bundle. “I noticed all yeh had on was that wet nappy. Afraid I don’t have any on hand, but this might do yeh in a pinch.” She held up a large square of thick white cloth, folded into a triangle, and a pair of large safety pins.

Eli was surprised and touched by the gesture. He accepted it gratefully. The fabric was very soft, and while different from what he’d been wearing before, he thought it would work nicely.

“And if yeh need something else to help keep yeh warm,” she said, presenting a cream-colored nightgown with lace on the sleeves and a pink ribbon around the waist. “I know it isn’t the kind of thing most boys like to wear, but–”

​"Oh, I love it!" Eli said, eagerly accepting the gown. “It’s so pretty! Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Mag smiled at him warmly. She seemed lost in thought for just a few moments before clearing her throat and saying, “Well, off with you then, go get dressed. Can’t have yeh in nothing but your fur for supper,” she said with a chuckle as she shooed him back behind the curtain.

Eli eagerly changed into the new cloth diaper, pinning the sides so it fit snugly around him. It felt different, but comfortable. Then he tried on the nightgown. It was a little short, coming down to about his knees. But he loved the way it hung loosely around him and swished back and forth when he twirled while looking down at it.

5

He emerged to find Mag placing a kettle on the table next to a few other dishes. She looked up when she saw him and smiled again. She approached and motioned for him to turn around, and she helped him tie the ribbons in the back after he did so.

“There now. Have yeh eaten, lad?” Mag asked. Eli shook his head. It had been a while, and his tummy rumbled at the thought of eating. “Have a sit then,” she said, gesturing to the table. “I’ll not have yeh going hungry while you’re a guest in my house.”

On the table was a plate of homemade bread, butter, soft cheese, and berry preserves. It was a simple spread, but to Eli, it looked amazing! He reached for a thick slice of bread, but Mag tapped him lightly on the wrist.

“Ah ah, not just yet. First, we say grace,” she said, placing her hooves together and then looking at him expectantly.

Eli wasn’t sure what she meant, but he followed her example, placing his own hands together. Apparently satisfied, Mag shut her eyes and bowed her head.

“Dear Lord above,” she said, softly but clearly, “I thank Ye for Thy many blessin’s, and for Thy bounty. And thank Ye for bringing Eli to my door. I pray Ye will bless him with safety and guidance during his travels and with comfort and rest this evening. In Thy holy name, Amen.”

Then she looked up at Eli, who was still watching her with hands clasped. Although he hadn’t fully understood what had just happened, he felt happy… warm and safe inside her home, and grateful she had invited him in.

After another moment or two, Mag chuckled and said, “You say ‘Amen’ too, dear.”

“Oh, uh… Amen…?” Eli said, to which Mag nodded and gestured towards the food.

Eli took some bread, which was soft and brown. Mag cut a slice of the pale yellow cheese and offered it to him. He took it and placed it on top of the bread, and then took a spoonful of the preserves and spread it over the slice of cheese. He took a bite. Eli immediately felt delighted by the taste and texture. The bread was chewy and nutty, and the cheese and preserves were at once sweet, tangy, and savory.

Mag placed a clay cup in front of him and poured an amber liquid from the kettle. Eli sipped the warm liquid. While the bread and toppings had been bold and exciting, the drink was mild and soothing. It had a slightly floral taste to it, with a hint of honey, and it warmed his throat and his stomach as he drank.

As he reached for another slice of bread, Mag clicked her tongue and said, “Yeh eat like a little piglet.” She pulled out a cloth from her apron and wiped his cheek. “And right after your bath,” she said with a shake of her head, but also with the hint of a smile.

Eli didn’t mind. In fact, the feel of the warm cloth reminded him of the way his mother would nuzzle him, and he turned his face to allow Mag to clean his other cheek.

6

The food was soon gone, and Eli stifled a yawn. After such a long day of walking, the warm bath, the satisfying meal, and the soothing drink had all caused him to feel sleepy and relaxed.

It was still raining outside, and Mag had sternly told him she didn’t want him setting one paw outside while it was still cold and dark and wet. She led him towards the hearth, which had now burned down to the soft glow of orange coals. Pointing to the couch near the hearth, she said, “Yeh should be plenty warm, but there are blankets if yeh need them. You just lie down and rest for the night, and we’ll decide what to do with yeh in the morning,” she said with another fond chuckle.

Eli did as he was told and lay down on a feather pillow that felt as soft as starlight. Mag, meanwhile, sat down in the large chair on the other side of the hearth, collected a skein of yarn, and began to crochet.

He lay there, listening to the soft sound of rain on the roof, the occasional pop from the fire, and the soft rustling from Mag’s chair.

“Mag…” Eli said shyly.

“Yes, lad?” she asked.

Feeling somewhat bashful, Eli said, “Thank you for everything. And for, well… taking care of me like… kind of like a second mother…”

She stopped crocheting and looked at him with her mouth slightly open. Eli wondered if he had said something wrong. But then she smiled and, with her eyes sparkling, she stood, crossed the room, and bent down to kiss him gently on the forehead. Eli thought he felt a raindrop land on his cheek. But when he looked up at Mag, he saw the trail of a single tear down her face.

“You’re most welcome, Eli. It’s been years since I’ve had little ones of my own at home. It does me good to have yeh here. And yeh can stay for as long as yeh need.”

She ruffled his head fur and then returned to her chair. As she sat down, Eli put his paci in his mouth and glanced up, imagining he could see past the ceiling and past the clouds to the heavens beyond. His mother in the stars may not be with him right now, but it seemed she had sent a mother on earth to look after him while she was away.

The end.