The Land of Imagination Two-Fido

(This is the second short story that I wrote when I was younger. Once again, it's unedited.)
Fido 

“Elsa, do you want to go back to LOI?” I asked my sandy colored lioness. “Hmm, I think it would be enjoyable.” she said. “Okay, I just have to tell my mom and then we can go.” I ran downstairs to the kitchen and found my mom cooking some sort of paste that I hoped would not be for supper. You see, my mom is an artist and sometimes she treats her meals like an art canvas. “Hi mom, can I go to the forest for a while?” She didn’t look happy and said “Honey, I don’t like you going to the woods alone all the time. You need to be with other ten year olds.”         She paused to wipe her face. “I know you like using your imagination but why not use it with someone? I’ve invited Susie Wellington over for this after noon and I want you to be here when she comes. Okay?” I didn’t like Susie because she only played with dolls but I really wanted to go to LOI! So I said okay. I ran out the door and then looked for Elsa. She was way ahead of me. I suddenly realized that I didn’t know where the bridge was. It had disappeared last time when we got off of it. Then, there it was! But it most definitely was not in the same spot as last time. Elsa was yelling at me to hurry. With that, we crossed the bridge. Just as before the mist swirled around us and we couldn’t see any thing. Then we were there! This was the Land of Imagination. With its purple leaves, yellow tree trunks, pink grass, green clouds and blue sun. And just then I noticed something else. I could see Elsa without having to imagine her! And boy was she running! I knew where she was running to so I took my time. When I got to the massive tree that had a sign saying MAYOR’S HOUSE in big bold letters, I knew she gone to the old owl’s house because there were huge paw prints leading around the tree. Odd. Why hadn’t she gone right in? Unless the old owl wasn’t home. As if to answer my thought, the old owl came flying in. When he saw me, he flew toward me and hugged me. He said “So, is every thing all write in the real world? And where is Elsa?” “Everything is fine in my world” I said “And I don’t know where Elsa is. I did bring her with me.” Just then we heard noises coming from somewhere and we saw that it was Elsa and a big German shepherd running toward me. I thought they were going to crash into me. I closed my eyes waiting for it. But a crash didn’t come. I opened my eyes. There in front of me was Elsa panting and smiling like I’ve never seen her before. She said “This… is...Fido. He went to…. school with me here.” “Uh, hi.” I didn’t know what to say.  “I like the color of your fur.” he said. Fur? He must mean my hair. “Thanks Fido. No one has really complimented me on my hair before. They usually call me carrot top.” Fido looked at me for a moment, puzzled. “Carrot top? Is it because you have orange-red hair?” I nodded. “Well” said the old owl. “Know that we’ve all met, I would like to speak with you in my office.” Elsa left right away knowing that he wanted to talk about her. Fido followed her with great speed. “Come up, come up.” I followed the old owl as he flew up the steps. We went into his large sitting room (other wise known as his office) and then he poured himself some tea into a large cup and then sat down. “Do you like Fido?”  he said. “Um, yes he’s okay.” “Yes, yes, but do you like him enough to own him?” he said.  “Uh, well, it’s hard enough to take care of Elsa. I don’t know if I could take care of him as well.” The old owl looked disappointed. I could tell that it was a busy time in LOI. Probably because some new TV show came out. Lots of pets were being given up. “Where did Fido come from anyway?” I asked. “He was pushed out of a car a few years ago. Elsa found him and they became great friends.” he said. “Did he get hurt?” I said.  “No, which is a miracle” he said. “Yes, it is.” Awkward silence filled the Owls’ large office/sitting room. I broke it by saying, “Well, I guess I could talk to Elsa about it. You see, I’m going to start school soon and-- “Wait, wait. Don’t you already go to school?” the owl asked. Ooops. I didn’t like telling any one that I don’t go to school. “Well, I don’t go to a real school.        See, I’m home schooled.” “Ahh.” Said the Owl. “And, well,” I continued, “Elsa would probably get lonely.” There was another long silence. After a while, I thought the Owl had gone to sleep. But he suddenly said, “Well, it was nice seeing you. Be sure to look around before you leave. And maybe you can think about my offer. See you later.” And with that, he opened the door for me. I got up and left. I had no idea what I should do. So, I decided to find Elsa and talk to her about it. But how was I supposed to find her? “This’ll be fun.” I thought as miles and miles of trees and fields opened up before me.

         

              *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

  Two hours and lots of thinking later, I finally found Elsa playing in a pond. I called her over, and told her what the Owl had said. She said “Well, I for one think the idea is wonderful. But you said it might be nice for me to have a friend. Are you going away? You are a good friend of mine after all. And Fido’s just visiting. Isn’t he?” She looked at me with her pale blue eyes. “No he isn’t. He was abandoned. Didn’t he tell you?” Elsa shook her head. “Oh, and about your other question. Yes, I’m going away. But only during the day. Your old owner must have gone to school. Well, I have to go to school.” Elsa looked at me and said “Yes, I know what it is. In fact, I helped my owner while she did her homework. I have learned much from school. I also went to the LOI academy. It was very enjoyable. Yes, school is a good place.” I looked at Elsa and wondered what other things I didn’t know about her. “Well then, I guess we’ll go tell Fido that he’s part of the family.” Elsa smiled with delight.

    

            *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

  With imaginary leashes in hand, me, Elsa, and my new pet Fido walked to the bridge. The Owl waved and said goodbye. There were also other imaginary pets saying goodbye to us. I was almost a celebrity for taking such an energetic pet like Fido. (I later found out that Fido was the runner and mail carrier of LOI. Now there’s a statue in my honor) I waved and said I’d be back. Then we went home.

           ******Two hours later******

 “Fido, who was your old owner? Maybe I know them.” Fido thought and said “You probably don’t know her. Her name is Susie Wellington.”

Hm. No wonder I didn’t like Susie very much.

   

                      THE END   or is it?