Purrows the Little Aisha

by aishachick100

Once upon a time, in the land we all know and love called Neopia, there lived a small Aisha named Purrows. She and her owner lived, like most Neopians, in the poorer section of town, in a crumbled-down home that no one bothered to bring electricity to. Though they were poor, she and her owner loved each other very much, and were quite happy except for their financial problem.

For most of her life, Purrows had worked very hard. She helped out at her owner's shop, and tried to put some food on the table by singing on the streets of Neopia, hoping sympathetic Neopians that were wealthier than she would throw a few Neopoints into her old cap.

One day while singing her favourite song, "Amazing Grace" on the main street of Neopia, she spotted something that she knew could change her and her owner's life forever. Ignoring the small audience she had attracted with her angelic singing, she dashed away until she came to a small tree planted in the middle of the sidewalk.

There, in the middle of a low branch, sat a small, glowing Fire Faerie, who, upon further inspection, proved to be caught in some small twigs. Gently, Purrows reached up and freed the faerie.

"Thank you so much!" said the faerie, hovering above Purrows' head.

Purrows was sure what would come next.

"Now, I will grant you a wish!" she said.

Purrows smiled, and tried to hide her excitement. She knew instantly what she would wish for.

"I would like to be as rich as one of the richest people in Neopia!" declared Purrows.

"Your wish," said the faerie, "is granted. Good-bye," and she vanished in a puff of smoke. Purrows, whistling happily to herself, walked to the bank quickly, assuming the money was there, while thinking of what to buy.

'Hmmm...' she thought, 'firstly, a Kauvara's Potion, of course.... Level Up Shrooms, so I don't have to train in that dreadful Training School... and some pretty Nerkmids for aishachick100, my owner...'

When the little Aisha arrived she jumped up to the tall counter and rang the bell on the bank manager's desk. The big green Skeith, who had been counting money in another room, emerged from a door and greeted Purrows politely.

"Good afternoon Madam. It's great to see you again. What can I do for you today? Ahh, I see you have a Junior Saver account. Very well chosen if I may say so myself," he said, looking down on Purrows.

"Um, if you could take all my Neopoints out of the safe, please," said Purrows, trying to sound casual.

"Of course, madam!" said the Skeith, sauntering off into another room. He returned shortly with a small bag of NP. "Here you are!" he said, reaching down over the counter to hand it to her, "spend it well, and have a nice day."

"B-b-b-but" stammered Purrows, growing panicky as she looked at the tiny bag in her paws marked '300 NP', "I-I-I'm supposed t-t-to be the richest Neopian there is! There must be some mistake!"

"Ahhh... freed a faerie, eh?" said the Skeith, "I hate to break it to you, but this happened to me. Do you love your owner very much?"

"Y-yes," said Purrows, wondering what this had to do with being rich.

"Does she love you?" asked the Skeith.

"Well, of course!" said Purrows, looking up and eyeing the Skeith warily. What kind of business was it of his?

"Did you wish to be as rich as one of the richest people in Neopia?" asked the Skeith again.

"Yes!" said Purrows, anxious to see where this was leading.

"Well...you ARE one of the richest people in Neopia already," said the Skeith.

"What do you mean?" said Purrows, feeling rather disappointed.

"There is more than one kind of wealth, and faeries tend to associate the word with the best kind...love and happiness. You and your owner are happiest together, and always will be, because you love each other. Didn't you know that?" asked the Skeith, looking down sympathetically at the bewildered Aisha

"N-No" said Purrows, "thanks for telling me."

Purrows walked gloomily home, her bag of NP dragging along the ground. She sniffled as she reached her home and pushed open the rickety door.

"Honey!" said her owner, who was cooking in their tiny kitchen over a fire, "you're home! Oh, I'm so glad your back! I made us some hot delicious soup!"

Purrows brightened. She ran to her owner and hugged her. Her owner hugged back.

"We ARE rich," muttered the Aisha as she snuggled into her owner's shoulder.

"What was that, sweetie?" said her owner.

"Nothing," whispered Purrows, smiling to herself.

The End