Tale 88: Going to See Mr Korbes (Misty)

(real tale: Mr. Korbes)


"Once a pair of Combuskens decided to go a journey together." Misty begins. "So Mr. Combusken built a beautiful carriage out of fine oak, and decorated it with ivy inlays and jewels--even its four red wheels sparkled in the sun."

"Ooh..." Ash smiles as he pictures the carriage.

"In fact, it was just large enough for four Pikachus to pull it." Misty adds. "So after loading the carriage with food and supplies, Mr. and Mrs. Combusken got into it, and were whisked off down the road. It wasn't long before they met a Meowth, who asked where they were going. Mr. Combusken answered..." Misty pauses to sing On Mr. Korbes a call to pay,
And that is where we go today!

After waiting for the applause to die down, Misty continues "The Meowth asked if he could come too, and Mr Combusken replied 'Very well, only you must sit well back, and then you will not fall forward.'"

She then sings again And pray take care
Of my red wheels there;
And wheels be steady,
And Pikachu be ready
On Mr. Korbes a call to pay,
For that is where we go today!

Brock stifles a giggle at Pikachu, who is playing "Ponyta" with Happini as his "rider". "Wonder who this Mr. Korbes guy is..." Ash muses.

Misty continues "Then they found a millstone, and then an egg, and then they met a Ducklett, who asked to come along, then they found a pin, and then they found a needle. But when they came to Mr. Korbes's house, he was not at home."

"Then where was he?" Melody asks.

"More importantly, what did the party do?" Brock wonders as Pikachu and Happini complete another lap around the tent.

"The Pikachus drew the carriage into the barn, Mr. and Mrs. Combusken flew up and perched on a beam, the Meowth sat by the fireside, the Ducklett settled on the water, the egg was wrapped in a towel, the pin was laid in the chair cushion, the needle was laid in the bed among the pillows, and the millstone was put by the door." Misty explains. "Then Mr. Korbes came home, and went to the hearth to make a fire, but the Meowth threw ashes in his eyes."

The boys burst out laughing at this. "Then he ran quickly into the kitchen to wash himself, but the Ducklett splashed water in his face." Misty continues. "Then he was going to wipe it with the towel, but the egg broke in it, and stuck his eyelids together." More laughter fills the air at this.

"In order to get a little peace he sat down in his chair." Misty continues as the laughter quiets. "But the pin ran into him, making him jump at least ten feet."

Everyone howls with laughter again. "In his anger he threw himself on the bed, but as his head fell on the pillow, in went the needle, so that he called out with the pain, and madly rushed out." Misty explains. "But when he reached the house door, he tripped on the door and landed on some rocks."

She concludes "Needless to say, it took Mr. Korbes some time to recover from all those injuries!"

Ash raises an eyebrow. "That doesn't really make any sense..."

"Yeah, why would the Pokemon want to hurt the person they wanted to see all because he wasn't home at the time they got there?" Brock is equally confused at the story's premise.

"Well, you'd have to ask Daisy, who taught me the story..." Misty confesses. "At least I didn't kill off Mr. Korbes like she did."

"That's a silly reason to die, simply because you were not home to receive guests!" Melody gasps.

"Your story's not a total loss..." Brock assures Misty as he writes down the bones of the story. "It sounds perfect for a detective story..."

Yeah--someone appears to be murdered simply because he wasn't home to receive guests, but the real reason is much more sinister!" Ash suggests.

Misty giggles. "Let me know when your mystery's finished, Brock--I'd totally read it!"