Bopper's narration

I was a little different for a Mobian Bear at my time.

You could say that for my family too.

My Pa was born out in the Wild West since my grandpa was a sheriff out there.

Mama was born in Adabat when her mom had to move their for a job.

The two met when mom moved again when her step dad bought land out near grandpa's.

You might think they were your "typical lovers", but all loved ones remember it as anything but that.

My grandpa died of old age after my parents married.

I still wish I got to see him before he passed...

...Pa had so many stories of him.

My parents decided it was time to move from the sands and the prairies and get to the place bears fit the most: the mountains.

My parents did get separated a while in the trip during the Great War, but it didn't keep Pa away for long.

Sad thing was that I was born while Pa was trying to get home, so he never got to see my first moment of life.

But that didn't matter to Pa, because the time he heard my voice on the phone for the first time...

...it brought tears to his eyes.

After he got back, our family started a farm.

We grew grapes, apples, pumpkins, corn, carrots, peas, beans and lettuce.

We also sold honey some with our neighbor, who owned a bee farm.

My family worked hard for our life, but Mama took time to homeschool me the best she could.

She did take me to a schoolhouse for a few years in middle school, but that ended when I started working more.

I didn't learn nothing fancy like algebra and science, but just stuck with learning reading, writing and basic math and measurements.

Out here in the countryside, we live off the land more than anyone.

Our food, money, water and health came from what we could get in our area.

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Normal POV

Gruff Family Farm

Bopper's father, George Gruff, was pulling out corn stalks after a long year of harvest.

A young Bopper tried to pull one himself, but accidentally fell over when he got it out.

George chuckles. "Keep it up son, you doin' great."

Bopper smiles. "Ok Pa!"

Bopper's mother, Gine Gruff, watched from the porch as she held another cub in her arms, which was Bopper's younger brother.

Bopper got back to helping his father once he dusted him off.

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Bopper's narration

Everything else we got from the town nearby.

Our hometown was Greenwood Falls, a home to nicest people you'll meet this side of the world.

There were all kinds of people to meet here.

There was Quincy, the owner of the general store.

He also had a twin sister named Cathrine that owned a flower shop next door.

They were generous whenever something was needed.

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Normal POV

The Market

Bopper walks along the streets and goes into the general store.

Quincy meets him at the door. "Nice to see you Ben! What can I do for you?"

Bopper smiles. "Pa needed more seeds for the fields. He also broke the hoe he was using last year."

Quincy chuckles. "Oh my! I'll see if I have one."

He went to the tool section to find something before coming back with a brand new hoe.

He puts it on the counter. "This is the last hoe I have until a new shipment comes in. Be careful with it."

Bopper nods. "Pa said we need more seeds for carrots, corn, lettuce and peas."

Quincy grabs bags with the exact ones. "Here you go. That'll be 5 rings."

Bopper tilts his head. "I thought it would be ten?"

Quincy nods. "Yes, but I'm giving you a discount today since your family are good customers."

Bopper smiles. "Thanks Q!"

Quincy grins. "And thank you Ben. Have a good day! And tell your mom I said happy birthday!"

Bopper walks out as Catherine calls out to him. "Hey Benjamin! What brings you to town?"

Bopper walks over to the flower shop. "I was just getting stuff for the farm back home. Your brother gave me this stuff for less."

Catherine gets out from behind the stand there. "Your family deserve it. I heard your mom's birthday is today, is it?"

Bopper nods. "Yeah."

She smiles. "Why don't I give you some free flowers to give to your mom as a gift?"

Bopper smiles. "Really?"

She nods. "Really. You can borrow the wagon too."

Bopper hugs her. "Thank you!"

Catherine hugs back. "You're welcome Ben."

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Bopper's narration

Whoops! Forgot to tell you my birth name!

My full name Benjamin Gruff.

I don't get called Bopper until WAAAAYYY later.

For now, we can just stick with Ben until you get to the part where my name started.

Where was I? ......Oh right! I was telling you about the people in town!

There's also the owner of the local restaurant, Carlos.

He cooked the best food that was second only to Mama's.

Sometimes he cooked his family recipes whenever our town had a big festival coming.

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Normal POV

Carlos's Cantina

Ben walks in to see Carlos hard at work on a new dish.

He stops cooking to walk over to meet Ben."Hola Ben! What can I do for you?"

Ben smiles. "Pa took a break today, so I'm exploring town a little. What you working on?"

Carlos smiles. "Since the Fall Festival is coming, I am working on pies and casseroles that my mother knew."

Ben licks his lips. "That'll taste delicious!"

Carlos grins. "Just wait until Halloween arrives. I will make our well-known salsa for that night since we celebrate the Day of the Dead around that time."

Ben jumps some. "I can't wait!"

Carlos chuckles. "I know you can, amigo."

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Bopper's narration

There was pastor for Greenwood Falls' Church of Aurora, David.

David was always helpful to his neighbors, trying his best to be an example of the goddess's kindness.

My family would go to his church for every service.

Mrs. Nancy also went there often.

She was a widow with a heart to the smallest child and the largest man.

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Normal POV

Church of Aurora

David was unlocking the doors when Ben arrived.

David looks over at him. "Ben? You're here early, aren't you?"

Ben nods. "Pa had to stay behind with Mama to help change my brother's diaper and clean him off. Pa said I could come here early if I wanted to."

David smiles. "Well if you want, you could help me clean the windows, sweep the floors and dust the pews some."

Ben smiles back. "Sure Pastor David."

Mrs Nancy was walking to the church, but was about to have trouble with the stairs.

David went down and helps her up the stairs,while Ben goes to open the door to let her in.

Mrs Nancy smiles at Ben as she was being helped up.  "Oh Goddess bless you both! You're both too kind."

Ben grins. "Thanks Mrs. Nancy."

Once they were all inside, Nancy helped clean the windows, while Ben got to work on sweeping the floors.

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Bopper's narration

I also know the mayor of our town, a hardworking man that moved here as a teen.

We honestly keep him as mayor since no one is as good at taking care of the place as he is.

I mean it! We all don't have what it takes to keep our jobs running and keep everything in shape.

I met the his secretary too, who does her job good with a cheery attitude too.

Me and the rest of the town's kids know the real truth with those two.

They're obviously having a crush on each other, and doing a bad job at hiding it.

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Normal POV

Mayor's Office

It was closing time as the mayor got up and grabbed his jacket.

The mayor looks at his secretary. "It's closing time. Don't forget to lock the door on your way out."

The secretary nods. "Goodnight mayor. Let me help you with the door."

What they didn't notice was that marbles were left on the floor.

The secretary slipped and the mayor fell on top of her.

The two blushed when they realized how close they were.

The mayor gets up, sweating a little. "I-Isabelle, are you ok?"

The secretary nods nervously. "Y-Yes....thank you for asking."

The mayor helps her up and brings her to the seat before cleaning the marbles up.

Little did they know, the boys and a few girls were trying to hold in a laugh.

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Bopper's narration

But the most different and important to my story was one man.

Jeb, a miner and prospector of this town.

I know what you're thinking. A prospector? Those things aren't around anymore.

You thought wrong buddy.

He even has the gray beard like one in the movies.

Jeb spends his weekdays working in a coal mine on weekdays.

On Saturday, he goes digging and mining for gold as a pastime.

On Sunday, he visits town to see the people I've mentioned so far, including my family.

I never knew before when I was a kid, but Jeb was actually one of the founders of the town.

Jeb striking rare ore and having a small farm was what dragged people to this part of the mountains.

While most thought he was a crazy old man, those who had lived long enough could tell you two things.

One, Jeb was smarter than you think. He knew the land even longer than Pa and knew exactly where to put something when at a worksite.

If life played a different hand, Jeb would've been an engineer.

Two, he may not go to church, but he had morals to go with his prospecting.

He believed that nature had just as much a soul as the next being.

If you give to others, nature finds a way to pay you back.

If you don't keep nature in place, it comes back to harm you.

Most kids thought I was brain dead to be friends with him, but my first time meeting himwas the answer I needed.

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Normal POV

On the dirt road to the Gruff Farm

Ben was walking down the path, trying to get home.

Jeb was going the other way when he waves at him. "Howdy sonny! What's a boy like you doing out here?"

Ben waves back. "Um...I was bringing groceries back for my family."

Jeb points behind him. "You're George's kid?"

Ben nods. "Yeah."

Jeb asks. "What's with all of that though? You celebrating something?"

Ben answers. "Pa is celebrating his and Mama's anniversary."

Jeb pulls out a shiny gem that was small enough to fit a necklace. "Tell your Pa to give this as a gift."

Ben looks at when he was handed it. "Thanks, but don't you need it to make money?"

Jeb smiles. "I'll find a way to make up for it. Nature always rewards the kind. Now get back home sonny."

Ben smiles back. "Thank you!"

Jeb walks off, singing a tune. "Country road, take me home.....to the place..... I belong..."

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Bopper's narration

All of these people and my family are the reason I'm where I'm at now.

They helped me through the tough times and the emotional moments.

Without everyone, I would never make it to the top.

It would've been impossible for me to become a champion.

So why don't we start the adventure now?

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If you have any questions, let me know.

More chapters will come soon.