“Nohmadee? I nevaa meet nohmadee!” he paused, “I want know yer tale.”
So I told him my story. He remained silent for a while.
Breaking the silence, I asked, “I want to know your tale now.”
Here was his story:
One day, as Avery got home, he stumbled over something unusually soft. He looked down.
What he saw made him jump. There was his neighbor, staring up dumbfound. A knife was
sticking out of his breast. Avery began to search for evidence when several policemen crowded
around him and grabbed his arms. The policemen thought they had found the serial killer
terrorizing the town. They were wrong.
They arrested Avery and brought him to court where they told the judge that Avery was the
murderer. He wasn’t, though. He was only a detective trying to find out what had happened to his
neighbor. However, the judge sentenced him to life in the desert. He was brought to the Gobi.
“What a sad story!” I exclaimed. “I know how it feels.”
“Ye,” said he, solemnly. “And I’m not allowed to leave ’ere,”
“Alright,” I fumed, “but I need to find my family!”
After a brief pause he sighed, “Velly vell, I go wiz you!” And that is how he became
my companion.
We had been traveling for a long time, when the wind started to blow. Sand flew everywhere
and my eyes began to water. Gradually, the wind grew stronger. We had to stop.
“Issa sandstorm!” Avery shouted. “Sheel yer eyes wiz yer arms zen walk to tallest sand dune!”
I survived. Exhausted though I was, the thought of seeing my family again kept me going.
The next morning, I was awoken by the sun again. I scanned the horizon, and nearby I saw a
sign that, to my surprise, read: ‘Welcome to the Southern Gobi!’
We were at the edge of the desert and my heart filled with hope.
“Bolorerdene!” said a familiar voice. Not Avery’s, but one I knew equally well.
“Father!” I cried, “Father, I missed you so much!” I dashed into his arms.
“Yo, sis!” said my brother. “Can’t believe you lost with your ted!”
Behind him, crowds cheered as they saw me. They picked me up, threw me up and caught me
again.Tears filled my eyes. I never thought I would see them again.
In the distance, I could see Avery running towards me.
“Who’s that?” whispered father.
“My companion,” I breathed, “my fellow companion!” I darted to Avery and hugged him.
“Thank you,” I said. Tears formed in my eyes, but I blinked them back. “I won’t ever forget
you. I couldn’t have survived in this desert alone!”
“I vill miss ye,” said Avery gravely. “boot I cannot leaf...”
I watched as Avery strode back into the Gobi. That was the last time I saw him…
