Urglaudoo regretted his reports about Humans after staying a month in Mauritius. The island population was ethnically mixed, and living comfortably together. The hotel owner and her four-year old joined him. “This is Pina,” said Adonya, smiling. “Someday she’ll save the world!”
Urglaudoo smiled wanly, looking Human except for his pupils. He made one last call to stop the sterilization order. Moments later, General Pongradee teleported in. “Urglaudoo! Your reports…”
“A mistake,” said Urglaudoo. “Humans are worth saving.”
Adonya returned with a savory mix of Creole and Indian foods. As Pongradee ate with relish, tiny Pina climbed into his lap. “Your eyes are pretty.”
“But they’re alien,” protested Pongradee.
“That’s nice,” she smiled, and fell asleep.
An hour later, Pongradee returned Pina to her mother and teleported back.
“I think your incredible food changed his mind,” smiled Urglaudoo.
Adonya grinned. “No. I told you. Someday Pina will save the world!”
_________________________________
Written for What Pegman Saw: https://whatpegmansaw.com/2017/10/14/mauritius/
Author’s Notes:
I confess to knowing very little about the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius when I started. I did some research, and loved what I found. I like any place that is multi-cultural and Mauritius is one of the best examples of this I’ve ever seen. Below are some of the links I checked out. I want to visit this place someday.
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mauritius.html
http://www.getaway.co.za/food/25-eat-drink-mauritius/
http://www.discoverthebestofmauritius.com/anglais/culture-in-mauritius/mauritius-and-religions/religious-culture-in-mauritius-a.html?lang=fr
Mauritius Food: Farata
“This is similar to Indian paratha – a flat bread eaten with curry. It’s buttery, doughy and delicious. Find them being sold at street stalls or in many Mauritian and Indian restaurants.”
EagleAye
Who knew her moment of victory would come so soon. Another great flash, Eric.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Seems her mom was more than just proud and hopeful, she was prescient. 😉 Thanks Christine!
LikeLike
Love this. Reminds me a little of Lilo and Stitch where the aliens protected the humans because they thought the mosquito was an endangered species!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! That was the idea of the former-MIB guy “Mr. Bubbles.” He saved the Earth with his mosquito ruse. That was a brilliant movie and I loved it. Thanks much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story and homage. I, too, didn’t know about Mauritius–but have become smitten too. The tidbits you uncovered make it even more compelling.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! Yeah, I think I could settle in comfortably there. I’d wander everywhere sampling all the food I could find. 😉 Thanks kindly! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Saved the world already! What will she do for an encore? Well, she could start by bringing me some of that delicious-looking food. That would save my day, at the very least!
Sweet story; Eric.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know. I’ve been trying to save the world for years and never managed that much. *sigh* Some folks just “got it.” 😉 I’ve have them send some food out to you straightaway. Thanks Joy!
p.s. You’re staying out of range of those fires, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far the fires haven’t come too dangerously close. They’re worst in the northern part of the state, and I’m down in Orange County. We did have one bad one that was big enough I could see it on the mountains from my place, and it affected the air quality pretty badly. Some of my coworkers’ homes were threatened and they had to evacuate, but luckily not many homes were lost. Now, up in Sonoma it’s a different story. Terrible news for them, and it’s nowhere near over yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Food and little children will save the world. Sounds like a winning combination.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! I think it could definitely work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Food and little children will save the world”? I take it you’ve never been in a restaurant with a bunch of screaming toddlers. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Actually I have. You should try eating out in foreign countries where parents can scold their children without fear of reprisals from CPS. Children are much better behaved there. 😉
LikeLike
A real feel-good story! And the world really needs saving about now. I know nothing about Mauritius either, their cuisine sounds amazing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It certainly does. We may indeed need a child to save us all. 😉 Yeah, I wanna try their food. The mix of French, Indian, and Creole sounds fascinating. Thanks Matthew! 🙂
LikeLike
I really enjoyed that story. You made the alien credible. I love the idea that Pina thought General Pongradee’s eyes were pretty!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! Glad the alien was credible. Pina just has a natural warmth and empathy. She thinks everything “different” is pretty. She got the best of all of us.
LikeLike
Out of the mouths of babes. Little kids get straight to the point and see the important things. Love the story, Eric 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
They certainly do. Maybe we should put children in charge of the government? 😉 Thanks Lyn!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Eric,
And a little child shall lead them. Lovely story.
This reminded me of an incident years ago when I worked in a grocery. One of the cashiers, also named Rochelle, was African American. I was chatting with her one day at her register when a customer came through with a little boy. She told him we were twins because she were both named Rochelle. He said, “No you’re not.” Pointing out that she had long flashy fingernails and I didn’t. If only we could all look through the eyes of a child.
As always, I’m late for Pegman. Hope you’ll swing by the purple page. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 6 people
That is a great story! I love it. Children are so practical-minded. They haven’t learned to muddy the waters yet. Thanks Rochelle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to chime in – if you don’t mind – because in the 1990s – when I was newly married – people would usually ask me if my last name of Prior was spelled with a “y”- like Richard – and I’d say – no – with an – but we richard and I are related. “it goes way back” – and folks would laugh…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! Waaaay back! Going that far, I’m related to him too. Love stories like that, especially because they’re true. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
hee – and thx for your reply.
and ya know, I miss that Richard Pryor talk – nobody seems to bring him up anymore – but it was fun int he 90s- 🙂
and love the “waaaaaaaay” back
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful piece – “Humans are worth saving.” – ahhh
and the paratha sounds delish
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are, despite our many flaws. We’re still growing up as a species. I really want to try that Paratha too. Yum! Thanks kindly. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
indian food is one of my favorite styles to enjoy – but I do not get to have it often. But I really could eat it every day – my spouse could eat mexican daily.
anyhow, i was extra glad to read that little note about the Paratha –
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear it. My “comfort food” is Vietnamese noodle soup. I wasn’t born to it, but I could eat it all the time. I crave Indian food often too. If it isn’t handy where I live, I just won’t live there. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
well that is a pretty big statement about “won’t live there” conditions- we have that too – but ours is beach access
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally relate to that! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a delightful idea. Sweet children and good food saving the world (especially if the food is as good as that picture makes it look.) Alicia
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve got to keep such things ready just in case they really work on aliens. Maybe one day my daughter might save the world too. 😉 Thanks much!
LikeLike
I can’t help but think it’s the food that changed his mind and Pina’s compliment about his eyes 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Who knows? Maybe it was both together that swayed his mind. That food looks mighty good though, doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping in. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful full story! i loved it.
Scott
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/10/22/tropical-paradise-what-pegman-saw/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear that. Thanks very much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person