This is a short intro chapter to a possible series. I was inspired/proded by Gohman to try my hand at writing. Well this is it. Let me know what you think and I will try to respond to all comments. No flames please and no asking "Where's the sex?!!!" If and when I get comfortable writing erotic fiction, then I will give it my best shot.
The disclaimer I forgot to post: I own nothing except the character of Keith. Babar, its characters and places and things belong to Jean de Brunhoff.

This is the updated story from Feb. 14, 2009. I will probably be updating the story continually and so expect to see changes from week to week.



Keith Visits Celestville

I was sitting in the back seat of the taxi, my head against the back head rest. I had been sitting here watching the scenery slowly change from city to the Jungle over the course of a couple of hours. But I wasn't bored. I couldn't be. I was thinking about my new destination and how I would meet one of my childhood heroes. "Wow." I thought. "I am going to actually be able to see "The Celestville." I leaned back in the seat of the taxi cab, looking out of the back window. "I have always wanted to meet King Babar since I was little. He seemed like he really cared about his people and others in general." "Heck, I might even be able to meet him today. People say he is very approachable and kind. I hope the stories are true." After about a minute or so to myself and my thoughts, the driver spoke up, "We're almost there, kid.". I came back to my senses and looked out the window of the car. We were just passing a marker of the Cadburn and Celestville intersection about 3 miles from the edge of town. The road to Celestville was lined with jungle on either side for as far as the eye could see. Beautiful green trees and wild flowers of all kinds. "I bet..." I had a thought. "Does this road run straight to Celestville?" I asked. The driver gave me a curious smile. "Yes sir, it does. This was one of the first of the roads built for travel to Celestville back in the old days, but it isn't that busy anymore which is why I took this route instead of the usual highway. There is less traffic here." I smiled. "I think I will get out here, alright?" The driver smiled and slowed the car to a halt. "Going to enjoy the scenery and a good walk, I take it?" I nodded. "Well you take care then." I took out my bag, payed the friendly driver , with tip, and began a nice walk into what I had hoped, could be my new home.

About a mile from town, I saw another person on the road standing next to a car. It was a 'him' by the looks of his outfit. He was wearing what looked like a blue admiral's jacket with red pants and had a hat on to match the ensemble. "Maybe he is military" I thought amusingly. But definitely an elephant by the tall frame and obvious trunked nose and tusks. Just as I could get within hearing distance, I heard him say something about "you stubborn machine!". "Oh well,"I thought, " I might as well see if he needs any help." His gaze turned to me as I came within his view and he gave me a friendly wave with the arm holding a small bar or pipe. I waved back. As I got closer, I couldn't help but think "Wow! What is an elephant his age doing working on a car?" I quickly pushed those thoughts aside and greeted him kindly. "Hello sir. Having some trouble?" The elderly elephant gave me a couple of nods and said, quite flustered, "Why yes, I am. stubborn contraption." He gave the car a hard "thunk!" with his right arm on the hood, then promptly began rubbing his now aching arm. I couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Well is there anything I can do to help?" He shook his head and pointed with the small pipe towards the front left tire of the car. By the looks of it, the jack had slipped and the rim was now on top of the fallen jack, trapping it. "Ah well, I can see that being a problem for you." The elephant gave a long exhale of breath and said " I have been here for just over" he checked his pocket watch and adjusted his glasses," half an hour and I am late for a meeting that began 10 minutes ago. I would have walked back to the castle by now but I don't think these old legs could handle the walk after yesterday's parade. Organizing them can be stress enough, but then organizing the clean up and..... mmm?" I guess I gave him a shocked look because his eyes suddenly caught mine. "What is it, young man? Do I have something on my trunk?" he asked bringing his long nose up close to inspect it. I almost stuttered. "YOU organize the parades?!!" I said not hiding my surprise. Then it clicked. Elderly elephant, soldiers uniform, organizing the parades! "Then you must be Cornelius, the Prime Minister of Celestville, right?" The old elephant couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at my recognition to his status. With a tip of his hat, a small bow and a wide smile on his face he said, "Yes I am. I am also one of the direct advisors to his highness, King Babar." I gave him a small bow in return. "Well, this is an honor, sir." I had to laugh at how my luck was turning out today. I had wanted to meet the king after all. And what better way than to help one of his advisors with a problem. "This is too good!." I thought. Pleased with my manners, Cornelius said "Why thank you, young man!." he also returned with light chuckle.

After a few moments of thinking, Cornelius spoke. "Well, I am not going anywhere with my car like this. If it is not too much trouble, do you think you could go to the city and ask someone for a jack so I can fix this confounded tire?" He gave the flat tire as menacing a glare as he could. He thought about thumping the car a good one, then thinking with his better judgement, Cornelius decided not to hit the car again. I gave the car a quick look over. "Well," I started and then stopped myself for a moment. "Should I." I thought. I looked at his face and he looked kind enough. I felt I could trust him, even though we had just met. I then removed my bag from my back, grabbed the front bumper. "I could lift the car so that you could get the jack back." He just stared at me, expressionless. I had to scratch the back of my head at how childlike I must have sounded. He then looked at me with a quizzical stare. "If you want me to." I finished. He chuckled again for a moment. He held one hand up and said, "That would be quite alright young man, but I don't think you realize how heavy this vehicle is and, pardon me for saying so, you do not look like you could lift me, let alone this car." He was amused by my gesture and went to put the pipe in his hand into the car and as his head entered the back window, the back seat suddenly got much closer to his face. The old elephant let out a small yelp and almost hit his head on the door window as he quickly moved away from the car. When he looked down to the front end of the car, I was squatting down, hand under the bumper, LIFTING his cars' forward axel off the ground. I gave a sort of weak smile. Most people seeing me do stuff like this tended to run for 2 reasons: 1. To get away from me. 2. To bring a mob. But seeing as how old he was and that he complained that his legs wouldn't carry him into town, I figured at least I could explain myself to Cornelius.

"MY TUSKS!!' exclaimed Cornelius. He almost stumbled to the ground but caught himself. All he could do was stare at the car and then me, then the car again. While he got a hold of himself, I decided to get the spare onto the car so that we could have a place to sit while I explained the "How? What? How?" questionnaire he would probably have for me. I had to give him credit for not passing out like most people I know had. After getting the tire back on and the jack into the car, I began to hear what he had been muttering to himself for the past minute. "Oh, Cornelius, old boy, you are finally becoming senile. He just..." Cornelius made a lifting gesture with one arm and then placed his hands together. I frowned slightly and gave him a small shake at his shoulder. He snapped back to attention and looked at me with a look of disbelief. "If I scared you, I didn't mean to. I am sorry." I said with all sincerity in my voice. "Are you alright?" The old elephant nodded his head and looked me in the eyes. I gave a comforting smile/smirk. When his eyes became more focused I asked, "Are you good enough to drive, hmm?" I asked. "Mm? OH! Of course, and I may still make it to the last part of the meeting and explain why I was delayed before Pompadour decides to blame my age again!." he said with a bit of venom. I grabbed my bag and then helped him into the car by holding the door open for him. "Why thank you." said Cornelius. "You are welcome" I said. I then shut his door and waved him goodbye, then grabbed my bag and started back on my way into town. Cornelius started the engine and was about to go on into town when he started to slow the vehicle down. He coasted the car next to me and called from the passenger window. "Would you like a lift, young man?" "Wow, I thought, "he is taking my "surprise" pretty well." Then I thought "Maybe he is still in shock." I looked him over carefully. He didn't look scared. I then knew he was making a sincere offer and said "Sure, that would be great!" I then placed my bag in the back seat and hopped into the front.

After driving for a few minutes, Cornelius spoke up. "How, may I ask, did you do that?" he asked with a nod towards the front of the car. I just gave a small of shrug. "I simply grabbed the bumper and lifted." I said making a lifting motion with my hands. "I have always have been able to lift heavy things and run really fast compared to others my age. Soon, I began to out lift some of the equipment at the orphanage. Most people get scared and run away when they see me do things like that. They have also called me things like 'Monster' and 'Demon." Cornelius furrowed his brow. "Those are very cruel things to say, indeed." I nodded softly, my face looking at the floorboard. "Most people don't let me stay in one place too long after I show my strength. Even if I try help people with my abilities and hadn't hurt anyone, they are still too worried about what 'might' happen....so I have to leave." Cornelius gave me a sad look. I looked so sad and lonely while he listened to my story. I saw his face and smiled. "But I don't feel too bad about it though." The old elephant raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Why is that, my boy?" I looked him in his bespecled face. "Because I think I managed to make a new friend today." His face broke into a smile and he gave me a quick wink and a nod."You have, my boy. You have." We came to a stop sign and I decided to introduce myself properly. "By the way, I am Keith." I said extending a hand. He grinned and extended his hand and shook mine., "Well it is a pleasure to meet you Keith, I am Cornelius."

I smiled and thought, "Maybe I have finally found a place to call home."