Nar Yakushi

Summer, 2007, Lake Evertide Campgrounds, Ponyville.  (https://youtu.be/kQ1IuVQ81KU) The call of a bugle signals the start of a new day for Colt Scout troop 10. In their shared tent scouts Nar, and Juno rouse from their slumber. Both nine year olds slip out of their sleeping bags, and do their best to neatly roll them up before exiting the tent. Once out of their tent, the best friends meet up with the rest of their troop for breakfast. Among the large group of 7-10 year olds are a handful of scouts from the older groups in the troop, some adult chaperones, and the scoutmaster. The smell of propane mixes with the smell of cooking meats, and cheese as the older among the scouts prepare a breakfast of sausage and cheese quesadillas for the rest of the troop. After everyone's gotten their fill, the scoutmaster assigns groups for today's activities. In group 4, Nar, and Juno will be paired up with 4 other boys, and an older scout for a hike.  One of the other boys in the group happens to be neighborhood friend of theirs. A little mule named Manny.  After breakfast is finished, the scouts all help clean up the camp, then split off for their activities for the day. As group 4 begins their walk to their designated trail, the older scout informs them that this won't just be a normal hike. They're going to be hiking through a trail known for it's diverse variety of mushrooms along it. Why specifically this trail? Because the older scout is going to quiz them for a chance for them to earn their mycology badge! Going on a hike is exciting, but adding another badge to their sashes is even more exciting!  Once the group has arrived at the trail, the older scout goes over the trail rules with the younger boys. Firstly, stay on the trail at all times. Second, don't disturb the wildlife. Third, be respectful to the nature around you. Fourth, stay with the group. The young boys repeat each rule alongside their older guide. Once the older scout is certain each scout knows the trail rules, the group begins their hike.  Rays of sunlight peek through the canopy, bathing the woods below in warm sunlight. The calls of birds, and sounds of nature surround group 4 along their hike. Throughout the hike, the group passes by a wide variety of mushrooms. Some of which, the older scout stops the group to quiz on. Each time they stop, he picks a different scout to answer what type of fungus they're looking at, and takes a tally of each scout's correct answers. Group leader Juno has a perfect 5/5 score so far! While poor little goofball Nar is struggling with only 2 of 5 correct guesses. To be fair to the little scout, he doesn't do well in classroom type environments, which is where they learned about most of these fungi. He's much better with the more active, and involved parts of scouting. He clearly seems upset every time he gets an answer wrong, but it doesn't seem to last. A few steps later, and he's back to his usual smiley self.  Along their hike, the group is sure to take stops to rest every so often. Each boy taking a few sips of water from their canteen, and maybe a few bites of a granola bar. It's important to pace yourself, and stay hydrated, and energized when you're out on a hike! During one break about halfway through the hike, Manny raises a hand to get the older scout's attention. "Yes, Manny?" The older scout asks. "I think I hear someone over that way, Birch." Manny turns to point towards a side trail slightly ahead of where the group has stopped to rest. The group goes quiet to listen. Sure enough, they can hear what sounds like a little voice in the distant woods. It's hard to make anything out from this distance, but the voice sounds distressed.  Before the older scout can even get a word in, Nar slings his bag back over his shoulders, and takes a step up the trail. "C'mon guys! Someone needs our help!" The older scout smiles warmly, watching as the rest of the group prepares to move. "Remember the motto, scouts." The older scout states as he begins to lead the others towards the trail the voice is coming from.  "To do my duty, and always help others!" All 6 little boys respond in unison.  As the group enters the side trail, the voice beyond becomes more clear. "Mommy! Daddy!" The voice of a young girl cries out between distraught sobs. The cries seem to hasten every scouts' steps. Each eager to do their duty, and help someone in need! A little ways from the side trail's entrance, the older scout spots someone in the distance. A little girl, sat in the center of the trail, crying for her parents, and presumably, siblings. "Hello!" He calls out. "Are you okay?" The girl looks no older than 6. Far too young to be out on a trail like this! The girl's eyes widen at the sight of the 7 uniformed boys approaching her. Her cries turn into whimpers. She pushes herself up, but does not approach. When the scouts get close enough, the older scout kneels down to check if the little girl is injured. "It's okay, we're here to help. Do you know where your mommy, and daddy are?" The girl shakes her head, letting out a little gasping sob. "Don't worry!" Juno says, puffing out his chest. "We're colt scouts! We'll help you find your mom, and dad!" The girls eyes widen again. So cool! "What's your name?" The older scout asks, finishing up his examination. No visible injuries. "Candy..." The little girl responds with another sniffle. The older scout gives her a reassuring smile. "Ok Candy, I'm Birch!. Why don't you come with us? We'll take you back to our camp so our scoutmaster can help find your mom and dad." With a small nod, little Candy takes Birch's hand, allowing herself to be lead as the colt scout group turns back to head back to the main trail. Along the way, Nar approaches Candy while rifling through his bag. "Are you hungry?" He pulls an unopened granola bar from his pack, and offers it to the little girl. He'd been saving it for himself after the hike, but giving it to someone who needs it was what a scout should do! Candy takes the bar with a quiet "Thank you." Nar feels his chest swell with pride, knowing he's fulfilling the scout's oath! A few moments later, Nar is replaced by Juno, who offers Candy some water from his canteen. He's about to just hand her the canteen when he remembers what he was taught. Drinking water from the same canteen as someone else can spread germs, and get people sick! He then takes the a cup from his pack, and fills it with water to hand to Candy, who gratefully drinks the whole cup in one go.  Unfortunately for the scouts, their mycology badges will have to wait, as they'll be turning back to head back to camp. That's okay though! Helping Candy find her parents is more important than any number of badges! Throughout the hike back, the boys talk to Candy. They ask about what school she goes to, what kinds of cartoons she likes, and her favorite foods. Birch asks about how she ended up along on the trail. To which, Candy tells him that she was on a walk with her family, when her older sisters dared her to go down a side trail, and not stop until they said so. Being a child, she didn't understand that her sisters weren't going to follow her to tell her wen to stop. She didn't stop until she was a ways in, and realized her sisters weren't there. How cruel! What would have happened if the scouts hadn't come along?!  Once the group makes it back to camp, Birch takes Candy to see the scoutmaster. She makes sure to thank each scout individually before they leave. When Birch returns, he has some good news! The boys may not be getting their mycology badges, but they will be getting a rescue badge! This calls for extra smores at tonight's campfire!