Annatha's Lesson

by KiwiGurlie12

Annatha the Uni stopped as she passed the furniture store to admire herself in a mirror. She smiled at her beautiful appearance. Her coat was soft and silky, her hooves painted a royal violet that matched expertly with her red coat. In her hair she had woven daffodils and violets made of pure gold. But, although Annatha was very beautiful, she was also very vain and self centered. She put herself before others and spent her owner’s Neopoints on herself. This really didn’t matter, because her owner, Maggie, had gotten lucky in the Neopian Stock Market and had become very rich.

After admiring herself for a good ten minutes she sighed and continued on her way. She had bought a Faerie Paintbrush recently, and was looking forward to being the envy of her friends. She was about a block away when she felt a grubby hand tug at her side. Outraged that someone would actually do that she whipped herself around to face it. She found herself staring into the ice blue eyes of a scared little Poogle with a few rags to cover itself.

It whimpered pitifully and she rolled her eyes. “Oh, one of YOU, well, you are not getting any from ME!” she was about to turn and walk away but the Poogle grabbed her again.

“You dropped these,” it said softly, and handed her a handful of Neopoints

She quickly took them and said, “Why you little CREEP! You STOLE these! Be glad I don’t report you!” And she turned away. The Poogle sat there, surprised and hurt, and slowly sulked back to his pitiful little cardboard box to escape the cold spring wind that had started to blow.

Annatha continued walking with her head in the air, but when she got to the Rainbow Pool the gates were locked. She huffed a few word of disapproval, then turned and went home, this time taking the long way so she wouldn’t have to face the homeless Poogle

That night she fell down onto her fluffy pillow and dreamed of what the paintbrush would do. The next morning she woke up to her owner telling her to pack up what would fit in her suitcase.

She opened a weary eye, “why?” she grumbled. Maggie sighed, “There's been a complete stock market crash, I’m afraid we’re going to have no home for a while, just a little while. So pack ONLY what you need.”

Annatha didn’t say a word, just picked up a few items and put them in her suitcase. She fought back the tears as she left her warm, cozy room and belongings which she’d cared for more than anything.

It was cold outside, the wind was pretty bitter for spring, but Annatha refused to go into the cardboard box her owner had found for her. When it was dinnertime, she stuck her nose up at the pieces of Negg found in the garbage. That night she was cold and hungry. “It’s awful to be homeless!” she thought bitterly, and finally swallowed her pride and slept in the box.

When she woke up her owner told her to go and see if anybody would be willing to spare a few NP, while she went to find the money tree, which was a pretty far distance away.

Annatha thought it’d be pretty easy, but she found that most people and pets ignored her like she had ignored the homeless. A few threw one or two at her face, hurting her, but at least it was something. She sat down and counted what she had gotten. Only 5 NP. Enough for an apple. She sighed and went back to the corner of the street to beg for more money. After a while a rich, well groomed looking Meerca walked by, dropping about 20 Neopoints Annatha rushed over and scooped them up. She was about to run away with it, but she sighed and said to herself, “These are not my Neopoints, that Meerca must’ve worked hard for them, he deserves them.” She walked hurriedly up to the Meerca and grabbed his coat to get his attention. He spun around and glared angrily at her. Then, he noticed the NP in her hand.

“YOU THIEF!” he shouted and grabbed the Neopoints, even the five she had gotten from begging.

“But-I” she started, but the Meerca continued to scream at her, so she ran off with tears in her eyes. She kept running and running and running. Going so fast things were a blur rushing past. A buzzing noise was heard all around her, getting louder and louder.

Annatha jumped suddenly out of bed, she sat there, dazed for a minute, then turned off the buzzing alarm clock. She made her way downstairs where Maggie was already having her breakfast scrambled Neggs.

“It was all a dream!” Annatha sighed, and sat down for breakfast.

“Annatha,” Maggie said, “I was considering adopting another pet, do you think it’s a good idea?”

“Good idea?!” She gasped through a mouthful of Negg, “Of course! I know just the pet!”

And with that she ran out the door. She ran until she got to the same street where she had seen the Poogle the day before, in the same spot, begging for Neopoints. He was startled and a bit frightened to see her, but when he saw her warm smile he smiled back.

“Hello, what’s your name?” Annatha asked.

“Um, Cauddy,” he replied.

“Where do you live?” She glared at the cardboard box, Cauddy said nothing.

“Oh, no home?” He nodded.

He looked at the ground like he was embarrassed. Annatha smiled and said, “Well, you do now. Come home with me.”

Cauddy was overjoyed and gladly took her paw as she led him back home. Since then, Annatha has donated many items to the Money Tree, and gladly welcomes less fortunate NeoPets into her home. Maggie, her owner, is proud that Annatha has swallowed her ego and let a paw out to others. She gladly participates in Annatha’s good doings and strongly backs them up.

The End