Petberry Fields Forever

As Wilbur fumbled with the black and white ball, his blue shorts dirty from the mud, he felt an ear shattering roar from all around him. “Wilbur!” the crowd screamed. He shuffled between ferocious teddy bears, faked a kick in front of Captain Gorilla, then shifted to the right and scored against the rubber duck goalie. “He did it again, ladies and gentlemen!” screamed the commentator. Wilbur raised his hands victoriously in the air, circling in his backyard like the greatest soccer player who ever lived.



No one could defeat Wilbur, not even if they tried hard. He was a one man team, he was big, he was strong, he was mighty, he was...“Rain!” he yelled. “We meet again!” Rain was Wilbur’s greatest enemy. It began showering in his backyard, and Wilbur’s socks became soggy. “Water will never hurt me, Rain!” he called out to the dark heavens. Rain replied back with a “Boom” and “Woosh” of thunder and lightning. Wilbur stood in front of the stadium where his fans were watching him with anticipation. A mighty gladiator like him feared no Rain. “Let the games begin!” he called out to the audience, and the response was earth breaking.



Wilbur eyed the dark sky. “I shall defeat you, and you shall never return!” he vowed. With such ease the greatest soccer player could ever posses, Wilbur kicked the ball high into the sky. “Take that, you coward!” he said. The ball disappeared into the dark sky before rocketing down towards Wilbur. “Be careful, Wilbur!” screamed the princess from the stands. Wilbur dove sideways, avoiding Rain’s attack. The crowd held their breath as Wilbur didn’t seem to move. Suddenly, he began rising back up, and the crowd was relieved and cheered him on. Wilbur shot the ball high up again. “No!” he screamed. The ball missed Rain by a few inches, flying high over to the neighbor’s yard.



“You all wait here!” he told the teddy bears, the gorillas, and especially the princess.  He marched out of his backyard, searching for where the ball landed. Haunted houses welcomed Wilbur as he walked down the road. He had no time to hunt for ghosts and witches, for there was an ongoing battle with Rain he had to finish. The lives of all the people in Soccerland depended on it, and Wilbur wouldn’t let them down. From his plane, Wilbur waved his arms around to control his flight, searching for the lost ball, the greatest weapon ever known. Lightning shined up ahead. “You wait, I’m coming back for you, Rain,” he warned his enemy.



As Wilbur flew over the ghost towns, he spotted his ball lying in front of Mrs. Joseph’s front lawn. He had to be very quiet, for Mrs. Joseph feasted on children so late at night, with her long nails, her grey hair, and yellow teeth. “Oh, no!” he said as he looked closely at her lawn. There stood Bobby, the meanest dog in the whole world. Wilbur could almost smell his stinky breath from up in the air. He landed in front of Mrs. Joseph’s lawn, figuring out how best to fetch the ball. Problem was, even a brave boy like Wilbur was afraid of dogs. Wilbur knew that if he stared at a dog long enough, the dog will start barking. But what was poor Wilbur to do? His kingdom and his princess awaited their hero’s return to Soccerland, to put a stop to Rain once and for all.

Wilbur held his breath and climbed over the fence. All hope rested on his young shoulders, and he was not going to let his friends down. Bobby seemed fast asleep inside his little cave, so Wilbur tiptoed his way to fetch his ball. “Yes!” he said as he grabbed the ball. Before he knew it, growling erupted behind him. Bobby, the black dragon, was spreading his wings, slowly sprouting out of his cave. “Bobby, no!” Wilbur said, but Bobby began rushing towards him. Wilbur turned around and ran away from Bobby, but Rain placed a big puddle in front of Wilbur, and the poor child slipped and fell down on the cold grass. Terrified, Wilbur turned around and looked at Bobby. “Please, Bobby, don’t hurt me!” he protested. “Rain! You win, please call away your dragon lord!” he pleaded with his archenemy. “Why are you talking to the sky, boy?” someone said. Wilbur looked around to see where the voice came from. “Over here, yeah here, right in front of you...Not there! Here, I’m your so called dragon lord.” Wilbur’s eyes opened up. “Bobby, you can talk?”



Bobby moved his head sideways. “Yeah, can’t you?” Wilbur stood up and looked at Bobby. “Dogs can’t talk! They bark and woof and bite!” “Yes, we do. But we can also talk!” Wilbur stepped back a bit. “Are you really Bobby, or are you working for Rain?” “Who is Rain?” Bobby asked. Wilbur pointed up. It took the confused dog a minute to understand what our brave hero was referring to. “You mean, the rain? Rain just falls from the sky, child. It’s just water.” “No, he isn’t! Rain is the most evil thing in the world. He gets you wet, he ruins your soccer games, and he makes you stay at home instead of play outside.” “Alright, alright, as you say, this Rain is evil. But, I have to point out, it’s raining no more.” Bobby looked up, and so did Wilbur. It was true, Wilbur thought. Rain has left, but Wilbur was no fool, as Rain always returned.



“I need my soccer ball to defeat Rain should he ever return,” Wilbur said. “I’m doing it for you as well, for you can enjoy your days outside even more.” Bobby chuckled. “What’s your name, boy?” he asked. “I’m Wilbur, but I’m no boy. I’m the sworn defender of Soccerland, and the greatest player in the world.” “Alright, sworn defender of Soccerland, I’m about to go see my friends. You can follow me if you ain’t too scared.” “Scared? Me? HAH!” Wilbur bellowed. “You did run away from me when you thought I was attacking you,” pointed out the dog. “Are you afraid of dogs?” This so called dragon lord was nothing more than a kind’s poor jester, and it was starting to irritate Wilbur. No knight of Soccerland was afraid of anything. “I was just leading you into a trap, to capture you and ransom with Rain later on,” Wilbur claimed. “Wilbur, I promise you, I’m working for no Rain. I’m just a dog.”



Wilbur was more cautious than most brave heroes, and he wasn’t he going to believe no dog that easily. “Who are those friends of yours? Are you going to hand me in to the evil Mrs. Joseph?” he questioned the hound. “My owner? No, no, no, she cannot be trusted in this.” “Why? Will she cook and eat me?” “The poor old lady? She can barely see what’s in front of her. No, she cannot be trusted because she is an adult.” “An adult?” Wilbur asked. “Are adults bad?” “Not all. Adults just cannot be trusted with keeping a secret,” Bobby said. “Can you keep a secret, Wilbur?” Wilbur placed his fist on his chest and swore to Bobby, “In my honor as a knight of the kingdom of Soccerland, I shall keep your secret, whatever it is.” “Great, now follow me to the backyard.”



Wilbur carefully followed the mysterious dragon as he led the way to the backyard. What was there to fear, when Wilbur was holding his soccer ball, the greatest weapon ever known? “We shall go through the back gate and head towards the corn fields,” Bobby said. “The corn fields?” Wilbur said. “What lies there?” “My friends and I gather there and play,” Bobby replied. Darkness and Rain left, and the sun came out from it’s hiding spots. All was well, Wilbur knew, for he was safe under the protection of the sun. With his soccer ball in his hands, Wilbur and Bobby juggled through jungles of forgotten kingdoms, where children once played and reigned.



“Here we are,” Bobby said, as they left the neighborhood. Ahead lied an ocean of corn that danced in the wind, like fairies welcoming Wilbur to their majestic land. “Why do you and your friends play there?” Wilbur asked. “For adults won’t see,” Bobby said. “Adults don’t scare me!” Wilbur declared. “Of course not. You will be one of them one day.” “Then why are you bringing me here? I could tell the adults.” “You are still a child,” Bobby simply said as they entered the corn field, enveloped beyond the protection of the realm Wilbur once knew.



“Friends, you can come out now!” Bobby called out. Wilbur held on to his soccer ball, waiting for a trap, for he was no fool. Yet, out came the formidable animals who lived in the neighborhood, the house and the tom cats, the big dogs and the tiny ones, all bearing their fangs and claws, their eyes hungry for meat. Wilbur stepped back, his ball shielding his soul. “I warn you, traitors of the kingdom of Soccerland, if you harm me, the King’s Justice shall be severe!” he warned the pet pack. “The King’s Justice? But I meant no harm to no one!” cried out a grey wolf. “Relax, Chris, Wilbur is but a boy, and a funny one too,” Bobby said. Chris, the grey wolf, eyed Wilbur with curiosity. “Have you ever talked to dogs and cats before, Wilbur?” Chris asked. “What point is there talking to dogs and cats when I have a kingdom to run, wolf?” Wilbur demanded. “Wolf? Am I a wolf?” Chris asked his friends. “Chris, you are a husky, and you know it, you certainly do, don’t you,” spoke a black cat. “A husky?” Wilbur asked. “You are no husky, you are a wolf, and a fierce one too,” Wilbur said stubbornly. “I guess I might be a wolf. Sure explains the howling, Didi,” Chris replied to the black cat.



Bobby spoke out again. “Friends, I’ve brought Wilbur here to learn our secret.” “Can we trust you, dear dear boy, can we really do?” sang Didi, the black cat. “On my honor as a knight of Soccerland...” “Yes, you can trust him, I’ve said so,” Bobby interrupted his new friend. “So, what is this secret you are willing to share with me?” Wilbur demanded. “Rain might return, and I shall need to fight for my kingdom anytime soon.” “He is quite funny, funny as a ha ha ha, is he not, he is truly so,” Didi caroled. The pet pack all turned to look at Wilbur. “Wilbur, I think you already know our secret,” Bobby said. Wilbur was confused, but a true knight would never show it. “Think long and hard, hard and long, as your mind may go, Wilbur of Soccerland,” Didi said. Wilbur looked all around him. Cats and dogs were all in the same place. “So, you can talk. Big deal. Dragons can too,” Wilbur said.



“What do adults teach you, Wilbur?” Bobby asked. Wilbur thought long and hard as Didi suggested. “King Dad and Queen Mom taught me that no animal can talk,” he said. “Yet, we do, Wilbur,” Bobby replied. “So, the King and Queen lied to me?” Wilbur asked worriedly. “No, dear child, no, no, no. Adults simply don’t know. They forgot, they forget, and they will forget all over again,” Lady Didi spoke. “How could they forget?” Wilbur asked. Bobby and Didi looked at each other. “Should we tell him, tell him all as we might as well should?” Didi asked. “Yes, it’s why I brought him here.” “I demand to know what is going on!” Wilbur said. “Alright. Friends, leave us,” Bobby told the rest of the cats and dogs. “I want the wolf to stay,” Wilbur told Bobby and Didi. Wolves could always be trusted. “Chris, stay.” “Chris is no wolf’s name,” Wilbur told Chris when everyone left. “I shall call you Frost from now on,” Wilbur said. “Frost! Frost is my name now, friends! You hear, I’m Frost the Wolf!” Chris, no Frost, cheered and hopped up and down. “Settle down, Chris,” Bobby said. “It’s Frost now,” Frost replied back. “Fine, Frost. Calm down.”



They all turned to look at Wilbur once more. “Speak up, for I have no patience for riddles,” Wilbur said. “Very well,” Bobby said. “The adults forgot because they grew up.” “Grew up?” Wilbur asked. “Yes, you see. Adults were children once. They came across cats and dogs like us when they were younger. Sometimes, if the dogs and cats felt the child was promising enough, they would talk to him. They would play with the children, share their secrets, and protect them.” “But how could those children forget that cats and dogs can talk.” “Because, they grew up, like we said.” “What’s growing up?” Wilbur asked curiously. “Oh, it’s when you don’t play as much as you used to anymore, and you start working a lot more.” “Work?” Wilbur screamed. “Taking out the garbage and all? I shall never give up on my kingdom for some work.” “That, and a lot more work as well.” “Never!” Wilbur said. “I shall remain a child forever, never growing up.”



The dogs and the cat laughed. “Every child grows up, Wilbur, it is known, and known very well by us and all,” Didi giggled. “Not me!” he replied back. “Don’t worry, Wilbur, for even though you grow up, we know you will still remember us,” Bobby said. “How could I forget?” he demanded. “I shall live here and never grow old, and rule your Kingdom of Corns and defeat Rain once and for all.” “Oh, we wish you could stay too, Wilbur the Brave, but the adults will call you back, and a day will go by, and another, and another, and soon you will forget all about us.” “I promise you I won’t,” Wilbur vowed. “He has a good heart,” Bobby told his friends. “Let’s show him where we play,” Frost pleaded. “Play?” Wilbur asked. “What do dogs and cats play?” “Oh, you see us play this game all the time. Cats and dogs race. Cats are faster, but dogs can be fast too,” Didi said. “You are playing? I thought dogs and cats hated one another.” “If we did, would we all be here?” Bobby asked.



Wilbur followed his new friends into a larger area in the field, clear of all the corns, with lots of space to race there and back again. “I don’t have a horse to race with you guys,” he said to Bobby as they reached a large circle of where the cats and dogs gathered. “You have no horse, Brave Sir, that’s a fact. But, you have Frost, the largest and fastest wolf in all the Kindgom of Corns,” Bobby smiled. “Frost!” Wilbur turned to his wolf. “Are you a strong mount for your rightful Knight?” he asked. Frost howled up in the air, staring at the hidden Rain long in the face, and Wilbur knew he had gained an ally. “Friends, ready to race?” Bobby asked the remaining pet pack. Barks and meows eagerly responded in anticipation. “Excellent. Wilbur shall ride Frost, who was once called Chris, so it shall be an fair race for all.” All the cats and dogs looked at Wilbur and Frost cautiously. “Be prepared,” Wilbur told them. He turned to Frost. “I shall ride you, grey wolf of the west.” He climbed Frost’s back, wrapping his small arms around the husky’s neck.



“On your mark,” Bobby called out as dogs and cats lined up besides Frost and Wilbur. “Get set, GO!” Bobby yelled. Frost zoomed out of the line like a rocket, scaring off mighty warriors who have come to halt Wilbur’s victory, dodging scarecrows who wanted to push Wilbur off, and finally jumping over a large puddle of water placed there by Rain, flying ahead of the other racers. “We are going to win,” Wilbur said as they reached the end of the corn field. “We still have to return if we want to win.” “Go, Frost, show them the meaning of haste!” They turned around, passing by the many cats and dogs still struggling to keep up.



Suddenly, Frost stopped. “What is it, Frost? Who ordered you to halt!” Wilbur asked. Frost didn’t reply, just kept looking to his left. “Frost, what is it?” Frost didn’t say a word, until finally. “ADULTS!” he screamed. “Run back to the finish line, all of you! RUN!” he called out to everyone as he sped off again. Wilbur turned to see which adults Frost was talking about. He saw Farmer Max from the distance. “He is only a farmer,” Wilbur pointed out. “You sure can defeat him, wolf!” “He is an adult, Wilbur the Brave. If he sees a lot of pet animals gathering in his fields, he shall grow suspicious and hunt us down. Best keep out of sight.” Frost galloped like a white horse of old, until he reached Bobby and Didi. “We have to go!” he told his friends. “What about Wilbur?” Bobby asked. “I’ll take him home,” Frost said. Bobby turned to Wilbur. “No matter what, if you ever grow up, never forget about us. We love you all the same if you forget, but please, don’t forget.” “I won’t, Bobby,” Wilbur promised.



Frost sped off towards Wilbur’s house, dropping him in the backyard of Soccerland. “Where will you go, Frost?” Wilbur asked. “Off to my owner’s house,” Frost replied. “What would the adults do if they know you all can talk?” Wilbur asked. “Oh, no, they must never know, for if they do, they would take us away. All adults care about is work and work, never a time to play and love. Our secret is safe with you, Wilbur?” Frost asked. “I shall protect your secret with all the power of my kingdom.” “Thank you Wilbur, and I promise you to visit you more often, for we can play more. First, you were afraid of dogs, and now, you are a dear friend of all dogs. You are truly a brave boy.” “Thank you, dear wolf friend,” Wilbur said as Frost turned around to leave. “Wilbur,” Frost called out from the corner. “Remember this if you are ever afraid. Even dogs and cats aren’t afraid of one another.”  Wilbur smiled and went back home just in time for supper. Tomorrow, he shall defeat Rain once and for all.