Tina’s guardian angel

Tina and Mojo

Born into a family of workaholics on the 21st day in the eleventh month of a bountiful year of harvest for her nomadic parents, Tina's delivery came with blessings in form of plentiful harvested farm produce for her father who on that fateful day had to get distractions away from her mother's cry in the labour room.

"In about three hours, your tiny screams of arrival was heard from the delivery room", Tina's father would always narrate to her especially on days she made him proud. "It was a bright afternoon that day and your grandma literally shooed me away from your labored mother. I was worried sick about you both and I could do little to nothing at the moment so I ventured into our farm which looks bigger now, thanks to you."

"I decided to cultivate close to the birth room so I would rush in the moment I heard your cry but I got carried away with the food stuff I was uprooting. It was ten times bountiful than the previous harvests I've made. Then, you cried and my heaved heart found relaxation again."

It was the umpteenth time Tina was hearing this story so she knew the next line her father was going to say; "I am so proud of you my dear Tina and I always will for you have been a beautiful blessing right from the first day you graced our home", they both chorused and laughed heartily.

"Dinner is ready you two, the others are already on the table", came Tina's mom from behind the fluffy couch carrying her daughter and her father.

"Tell me Tina, what do you want as a birthday present?", Tina’s father asked as he tucked her into bed.
"Oh father, a puppy will be marvelous. I've always thought, wished and hoped to have a cute doggy to play with.", the young blonde replied, blinking those violet eyes closing sleepily.

"For being a good child, you'll get one.", Tina's father whispered and kissed her goodnight as she was tucked in bed.

"You are really becoming fond of her these days, darling", his wife sheepishly smiled at him as he tiptoed out of Tina's room.
He pulled close his wife. "You are not jealous I'm spending more time with my daughter, are you wifey?" He teased her and they both gave a low laugh, careful not to waken the sleeping child.

Time to sleep, the couple shared a prayer of grace. "Don't you think you might spoil Tina the way you gift her stuff?"
"No, I don't. You made me a very happy man and father by birthing to her so I will always give her things that makes her happy."

The rooster crew the fourth time before Tina rubbed her eyes to find a bright colored wrapped box at her. Excitedly, she hurried to it unravel it and she squeaked and jumped and raced down stairs to meet her family. With the unwrapped gift in her hands, she gently held the fury white puppy in her arms since it was still a little shaky.

"Mother, father got me a pretty puppy", Tina happily showed her mom who was setting up the dinner for a mini feast to mark her 12th birthday.

"Happy birthday Tina", her father’s voice rang from behind.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you father", she replied with every line of her face, curved in a happy smile.

In a few moment, the rest of the family began trooping into the house from the farm and everyone said a "happy birthday" to the celebrant. It wasn't a big party but Tina could have never asked for more as she was very satisfied.

Several years later, Tina grew up to be a pretty, strong and well mannered young lady and so did her dog, Mojo. The two were never seen apart. Even when Tina began going to the farm like the rest of her family, Mojo was always there with her. The lady and dog really got along, even closer than any of Tina's siblings and cousins.

One early evening after dinner, Tina and Mojo went for a walk that was supposed to be short and quick but the duo got carried away as they played their way into the deeper part of the bushes. Tina's dress caught a tree branch and then she realized she was far from her home's environ.

"Oh my! Mojo, where are we right now?", the helpless girl quizzingly looked around for a possible way out. It was getting dark and every turn they took seemed to draw them deeper into the woods. After hours of trying to get home, Tina breaks down into tears.

This also made Mojo's sad and he magically spoke which made Tina seize her sobbing almost immediately. "You know Tina, I was once in your shoes. It was a bright afternoon and I was just getting to enjoy a little bit of my freedom from my parents protective paws. Till I walked too far and I was lost."

"How did you find your way back?", Tina curiously replied.
"I shape shifted int....", Mojo lost his words when he realized he had special shape shifting powers. "Tina, I can get us out of here but can you trust my instincts?"

Meanwhile, back at the house, Tina's mother noticed the absence of her child and when she asked around, she was told that Tina and the dog went for a walk and should be back anytime soon.

"I can shape shift into a big bird and fly us our of here since walking isn't working".

Tina wondered how it would feel to fly on a bird. The lady and dog which turned to a bird, in no time found their way back to the familiar neighborhood and it was relieving to be back home.

Although Tina was scared about the whole adventure she had just experienced, she still imagined and looked forward to the wonders of having a mystical figure like Mojo as her little guardian.