The bell above the door of the Magical Menagerie gave a gentle chime as Mikey stepped inside, eyes wide and bright with anticipation. The warm, slightly dusty smell of old wood, straw, and a hundred kinds of creature hit him like a soft hug. He had been dreaming about this for weeks getting a pet that could be both a companion and a bit of chaos rolled into one. “Welcome in, sweetheart,” came a cheerful voice, and Mikey turned to see Anita Witticker smiling at him from behind the counter, a half-eaten sugar cookie in one hand and a tin of fresh ones beside her. “First year, aren’t you? You’ve got that wide eyed look about you.”

Mikey nodded, pushing his hair out of his face. “Yeah. Mikey Forville. I’m looking for something small, but not boring. A little odd is okay. Maybe even better.” “Oh, you’ll want to speak to Ernest then,” Anita said, already handing him a sugar cookie like she knew he'd need it. “He’s with the weasels.” That turned out not to be a joke. Toward the back of the shop, Ernest Witticker broad-shouldered, flannel-clad, and slightly scruffy was kneeling by a pen filled with what looked like tiny, sinuous whirlwinds. Ferrets. At least half a dozen of them were tumbling over each other, some wrestling, some sleeping, one trying to burrow under the water bowl.

“Got just the thing for you,” Ernest said, standing and brushing straw off his knees. “Now, I can’t pick for you, but I can tell you which ones might match your kind of magic.” He opened the pen and gestured toward a sleepy little ferret curled up under a ragged corner of cloth. It wasn’t the biggest, or the loudest, or even the most energetic. But the moment Mikey crouched down, it lifted its head, blinked at him like he’d just asked it a very interesting question, and waddled over without hesitation. “This one,” Mikey said quietly, reaching down to let it sniff his hand. “Yeah. Definitely this one.”

“You’ve got yourself a smart one there,” Ernest said with a nod. “Bit mischievous, but loyal once they know you.” Mikey grinned, scooping the ferret up and cradling it gently. “I’m gonna call him KodoPodo,” he announced. “No real reason. It just feels right.” Anita clapped her hands as she returned to the front, “That’s a lovely name, dear. I’ll box up some bedding and kibble. He’ll want to explore, but give him time. You two will be thick as thieves soon enough.” As Mikey filled out the forms and handed over his galleons, he glanced down at KodoPodo, who was now half-asleep in the crook of his arm.


Word Count
448

What animal do you wish to purchase? Ferret
What do you want to name it? KodoPodo
Is this a boy or a girl? Boy
What is your pet's date of birth? 4/12/2025

Completed Enjoy KodoPodo.