Tale 180: Wartortle Guards the Spring (Misty)

(real tale: Jackal and the Spring)


"Once all the streams and rivers ran so dry that the Pokemon did not know how to get water." Misty begins. "So after a very long search, they found a tiny spring, which only needed a little digging to produce plenty of water. So the Pokemon decided to dig a well, and no Pokemon was without a job."

She catches herself. "Well, all except for Fennekin. She hated work of any kind, and would go to any lengths to get somebody to do it for her."

The boys giggle as Misty goes on. "When they had finished digging the well, the Pokemon held a council to decide who should be made the guardian of the well, so that Fennekin was kept away from it--since she wouldn't work, she wasn't welcome to drink from it."

"Seems fair..." Brock muses.

"After some discussion, it was decided that Buneary should be left in charge. Misty continues. "After all the other Pokemon had left, Fennekin arrived. She called good morning to Buneary, and Buneary politely said good morning back. Then Fennekin unfastened the little bag that hung at her side, and pulled out a piece of honeycomb to nibble at, telling Buneary that her sweet snack was nicer than any water."

Ash giggles in anticipation as Misty continues "Of course, Buneary asked if she could have some, and Fennekin gave her a tiny piece. Of course, that little piece of honeycomb was delicious, but when Buneary asked for more, Fennekin said that in order to get more, Buneary would have to have her paws tied behind her, and lie on her back, so that Fennekin could pour it into Buneary's mouth."

"Of course, it was all a trick, right?" Ash smiles.

"Buneary did as she was told, and when she was tied up tight and on her back, Fennekin ran to the spring and drank her fill. When she had enough, she returned to her den." Misty continues, confirming Ash's prediction. "That evening,when the Pokemon returned, and when they saw Buneary lying there all tied up, they asked her what happened. Buneary told them everything, and the Pokemon agreed that someone more attuned to Fennekin's wiles would be a better guard. So after some more discussion, Pikachu volunteered to guard the spring."

"Pika chu! Pikachu" gives Misty a little salute, then paces the ground before some water bottles, as if expecting Fennekin to enter the tent and try to take one.

Misty giggles at Pikachu patrolling before continuing "The next morning the Pokemon all went their separate ways, leaving Pikachu to guard the spring. Needless to say, Pikachu fared no better--Fennekin enticed him with some honeycomb too, which was only a ruse foe Fennekin to tie him up and drink from the spring."

"So then who guarded the spring?" Ash wonders, stifling a giggle at how cute Pikachu looks patrolling.

"Well, when the Pokemon got together that night, Persian suggested that Wartortle guard the spring." Misty explains. "The next morning, the Pokemon all went about their daily routines, leaving Wartortle to guard the spring. When they had all left the Fennekin returned and called good morning. But Wartortle didn't reply. Fennekin tried again, but still got no reply."

"So what did Fennekin do?" Brock asks, grinning in anticipation.

"Fennekin figured she could kick Wartortle on one side, and then go have a drink." Misty replies. "So she went up to Wartortle and whispered to her, but Wartortle didn't notice. Then, Fennekin kicked Wartortle out of the way, and went to the well and began to drink, but she had barely taken a sip when Wartortle grabbed her by the leg!"

Everyone laughs at this. "Fennekin pleaded for Wartortle to put her down, but Wartortle only held on tighter." Misty goes on. "Then Fennekin took her bag and tried to make the Wartortle smell the honeycomb she had inside; but Wartortle turned away from the smell. Fennekin tried everything to get Wartortle to put her down, but Wartortle still held on."

She concludes "Wartortle was still holding Fennekin when the other Pokemon returned. The moment she saw them, Fennekin finally wriggled free, and ran into the brush as fast as she could. The Pokemon thanked Wartortle for a job well done, as they were pretty sure Fennekin wasn't going to come back!"