TJ was having a bad day at school. It seemed that Mrs. Ricardo, his teacher, kept calling on him for answers. Normally, he'd be one of the first students to want to answer when called on, but not today. Then, at recess, all his friends ran off to play football without him--all poor TJ could do was watch from the sidelines.

TJ went off away from the back fields, where the older children would play, to the swing area. He sat down on a swing, and laid his crutches on the ground. Instead of swinging, he sat there moping. A young hamster came up to him carrying a wooden sword. "En garde," he said.

TJ looked up at the smiling rodent. "I'm not in the mood, kiddo." TJ mumbled.

The hamster repeated himself, "En garde. I am Sir Bruan, and I challenge you to a duel for the use of the swing."

TJ smiled, reached down for his crutches, and pointed one towards the younger child. "I accept your challenge, Sir Bruan, for I am Sir TJ, the finest swordsman in all the land."

After a short battle, the two decided they were equals, but then the bell rang, and they had to go to their classes. The two boys occasionally bet on the playground, especially when TJ was feeling neglected by his classmates. They soon became good friends, despite the difference in their ages.

Art commissioned by  Bruan Ham
TJ © me
Braun ©  Bruan Ham
Art by  Alioth Fox
Grass © domesticated grains


Thanks again Bruan!