I am a healthy NeoPet blessed with the strength of Samson and the skills of
a bounty hunter. My thirst for adventure and my reputation as an explorer are
known throughout Neopia. My name is Darko and I am a Gelert.
I do not fear anything. I think before I speak. They say that my wisdom and
understanding are beyond compare. Many NeoPets come from afar just to ask for
my advice. I must admit that all the praise I receive from my fellow NeoPets
makes me very flattered. I wonder how they would react if they knew…
You see, I wasn’t always this knowledgeable. I wasn’t even this patient and
humble. In fact, I was one of the most boastful NeoPets around. My friends could
not stand all my pride! But one thing happened that changed my life… perhaps,
forever.
Many years ago, I was a proud NeoPet. I did not care one bit about others.
I thought about them as an audience and nothing more. I used to sit under the
shade of our favourite tree telling my friends about my adventures and expeditions
in the far ends of Neopia. At first, they were fascinated and asked me to tell
more. And I did. Soon, though, they got tired of my never-ending stories that
always ended in me narrowly escaping demise. Things like that.
I noticed that my audience was getting thinner. The usual crowd of awed NeoPets
was reduced to none at all. I became sad and lonely…but did not stop me from
continuing my treks. I was a courageous NeoPet and I knew it. In the middle
of my expeditions, I would think about the friends I once had. Then, I got angry
with them. I convinced myself that they were just jealous and that was that.
One day, I decided to explore the Lost Desert. I had fun walking through billows
of sand. I rolled in it enjoying the warmth. Soon after, though, I began to
notice the scorching heat of the sun. I could feel the sweat falling from my
burnt brow. I was foolish to enter a desert without plenty of water stores.
All I could think about was my thirst and… water, of course.
That’s why I thought I was seeing a mirage when I stared straight ahead and
saw a dark figure. It was moving towards me. Soon, the figure was leaning over
me.
“I am starving,” I said hoarsely.
“It matters not how much food we have, but how we share it,” it answered.
I did not understand. It did not matter though because I felt myself falling
into unconsciousness.
When I opened my eyes, a pair of brilliant sapphires was staring back at me.
They were the eyes of a Lenny. I looked around me. I was inside a house… a wooden
one. And very simple.
“Tell me how you got here,” the Lenny said pouring me a cup of something hot
and sweet smelling.
Before I knew it, I was telling this stranger about my life… about my former
friends… everything. It was a relief to speak to someone.
“I am Griffin the Lenny,” he said,” and all I can say to you is this: If you
wish men to speak well of you, never speak well of yourself.”
“But they envy me! I’m sure of it. That’s why they left me all alone,” I insisted.
Griffin shook his head.
“No one is going to win fame, recognition, or advancement just because he thinks
he deserves it. Someone else has to think so, too,” he said.
“What does that have to do with anything?” I growled.
“Everything,” he replied handing me a cup of that drink. As soon as I sipped
some of it, I calmed down.
“What should I do?” I asked.
“All you need is… wisdom,” he said as if it were that simple.
“Only old pets have wisdom,” I said impatiently.
“Gray hair is a sign of age, not wisdom,” he reasoned gently.
“Then, how do I gain it?” I asked again.
“Be a good listener. You will learn a lot that way. Your strength and courage
are assets. Just watch your tongue… think before you speak.”
I was about to ask him what this all meant but he vanished…and so did the house.
I found myself sitting on hot sand… in the Lost Desert. Other NeoPets were around
me bustling about with their work.
For many days, I thought about what Griffin had said. And finally, I began
to understand. He meant that I should be humble and patient. That I should use
my strength wisely. That I should think about the consequences of my words and
actions before I even say or do them.
That is how I became what I am now. I am grateful to that Lenny. He is probably
still in the Lost Desert sharing his wisdom to some other distressed NeoPet…I
will never forget him.
The End | 
