A Donkey in Human clothing C5

The journey back to town was strenuous. Stevie was nervous and tired. Lampwick allowed Stevie to ride him back to town. Lampwick’s larger size and increased strength were more then enough to let him handle Stevie’s weight.

Stevie was still coming to grips with regaining his humanity. His stubbornness, an ironic trait perhaps aided by being a donkey had kept Stevie thinking of himself as a boy even when he was a donkey. To Stevie, his donkey form was a costume the Fairy had helped Stevie to remove.

Some would feel bad at never completely letting go and allowing themselves to give in. It was Stevie’s stubbornness that in effect saved him from truly being a donkey for long enough for Lampwick to make his plea.

However, it had also been eight months since Stevie and Lampwick had spent that fateful night on the island. Stubbornness or not, living as a donkey for those months was not without emotional consequence for Stevie.

Wearing clothes felt strange. Stevie felt itchy and had to remind himself that it his body was once again private. The nudity was something that embarrassed Stevie at first but he’d grown used to it. Not having to worry about what he was going to wear or having people telling him what to wear had felt somewhat liberating. Stevie only needed to look at his hands and to say his name to without a bray censoring his words to remind himself that some things were worth giving up.

Speaking rather then braying was odd to say the least. Stevie was however glad he could speak. At least humans would now understand him. There were times that it felt the adults never listened. Stevie had learned the vast difference between that perception and the adults’ only hearing brays.

“You hear that Mr. Coachman? My name is Stevie!”

“Who're you talking to,” Lampwick asked.

“Remember when that guy asked us our names?” Stevie said.

“Yes,” Lampwick said. “I remember you could still say yours.”

“Yeah but his bad magic isn’t gonna stop me from telling anyone else that my name is Stevie!”

Lampwick smiled. “And it won’t stop me from telling anyone my name. I may be a donkey but that doesn’t mean I’m not Lampwick.”

Stevie couldn’t help but check his ears to make sure they were human ears as well as checking to make sure he no longer had a tail. There were moments where he was certain he could still feel it.

“How am I gonna explain this Lampy?” Stevie asked.

“Other people saw what happened with the Coachman. Someone prolly put the word out by now,” Lampwick said.

“You think my Momma knows?” Stevie asked.

“She might.”

“What if she hates me because of what I did and what happened to me?”

“Why would she hate you?” Lampwick asked.

“Because I was stupid and let that man fool me,” Stevie asked. “I was a donkey! What if -- you know, once a donkey, always a donkey? Like if someone steals a loaf of bread, they say he’s a criminal and everyone calls him a criminal after that.”

Stevie needed Lampwick’s reassurance that Stevie could recover from this. He still however, feared that there was no going back, that becoming a donkey would forever stigmatize him as donkey even though Stevie had recovered his humanity.

“Stevie, if you’re going to think like that or people are going to think like that then we might as well have stayed on the farm as donkeys and never gone home,” Lampwick said. “You need to prove to them that you’re not a donkey anymore. You need to show them that you aren’t a donkey anymore.”

“I’m gonna hafta to work hard and be really good to get people to show them I’m a boy again aren’t I?” Stevie asked.

Lampwick nodded.

Stevie knew that if he ever lied, he’d sometimes have to be extra honest for a long time either to show people that the lying was the exception and that he’d learned from it or to counter balance the lie.

That he’d have to prove he was a boy and not a donkey on the inside saddened Stevie. Mistakes had cost Stevie his humanity in terms of not just form but lifestyle and privileges. He was determined to regain that humanity.

The knowledge that Stevie was lucky enough to have the chance before he’d been a donkey for so long that he completely forgot how to be human made Stevie realize how important it was that he stayed on the straight and narrow.

“Are you sure you wana stay this way?” Stevie asked.

Lampwick again nodded.

“Like I said before Stevie, this is me,” Lampwick said. “It sounds weird but I was a donkey in human clothing. At least now, people can see what I am. I’ve been a great donkey because I’m bein’ me. I can’t be a boy or a man any more then you can be a donkey. It just isn’t me. I’d just end up being a bad kid and some other horrible thing would happen to me.”

“But what about your momma; won’t she be sad?” Stevie asked.

“I’m scared that my Momma won’t like me when she sees what I really am,” Lampwick said. “But, I feel better knowing that she’ll finally know. I was always scared that she’d find out. I know I once said to you that I could try to change but I can’t be something I ain’t.”

“We can still be friends right?” Steve said.

“Of course,” Lampwick said.

Stevie saw some of their hometown’s buildings in the distance. He felt an almost panic level desire to go back to the farm and to Rose. She would accept Stevie and not judge him for his mistakes. Rose wouldn’t make Stevie prove that he was a boy with hard work.

“Lampwick, I’m scared,” Stevie said.

“I know Stevie, I know. But we hafta be brave,” Lampwick said.

Stevie and Lampwick soon arrived in town. People were looking at them, most with questioning eyes. Stevie dismounted Lampwick and they walked into town.

“I live pretty close to here,” Stevie said.

The shops and streets looked different somehow. All those months on the farm as a donkey had afforded Stevie a new appreciation for living in the town. That he could now leave the farm, make his own decisions and enter those shops as a customer (or at least with his mother) reminded Stevie of how much he’d lost and how lucky he was to have regained those privileges.

Stevie felt his ears and face once more to reassure himself that he was human and was going to stay that way. He didn’t understand why Lampwick wanted to remain a donkey. Stevie however knew that for Lampwick, making him be a boy would perhaps be as mean as the Coachman making Stevie be a donkey.

Being able to go home seemed like a dream. He felt a pang of sadness for Rose when he realized that she was still on the farm. However, he reminded himself that life on the farm and the donkey form was all Rose had ever known.

It some ways, it would have been easier to stay on the farm as a donkey. Stevie however knew that he couldn’t do the things he wanted to do if he’d remained a donkey. He remembered that he was starting to think of some donkey things as normal and was losing interest in doing human things. Stevie knew that if he’d been there much longer that he might have soon been a donkey on the inside.

Stevie hugged Lampwick when Stevie realized how much Lampwick had given Stevie with Lampwick’s act.

“What was that for kid?” Lampwick asked.

Lampwick looked away and allowed himself a series of brays when he saw people look in his direction.

“I know I already said it before but you saved me from being a donkey,” Stevie said. “Thank you.”

Lampwick made sure no one was looking this time.

“You’re welcome kid.”

“How can I repay you?” Stevie asked.

“Just live as good of a life as you can. But for now, maybe a carrot and sugar cube or two would be nice,” Lampwick said.

Stevie laughed, something he hadn’t of done in a long time.

“Well, I am a donkey,” Lampwick said.

The two shared a hearty laugh.

- - -

They walked until they reached Stevie’s house. It was a small two-story house with two bedrooms. He and his sisters had shared the same room. The idea of sharing a room didn’t seem so bad after sleeping in the barn all those months.

Stevie stomach tensed up. He feared that he wouldn’t be able to do this.

“You can do it Stevie. You’re not a donkey. You’ve learned your lesson. Your Momma will understand,” Lampwick said.

Stevie walked up to his front door. He had to touch his ears and face again to confirm that he was a boy. He gulped when his mother opened the door.

“Stevie?” his mother asked. “Is that really you?”

“Momma,” Stevie asked.

Stevie jumped at and hugged his mother. The hug lasted for several minutes as Stevie allowed months of pent up emotion to flow out in the form of tears.

When they released each other, Stevie took a couple of steps back.

“Where have you been all this time? What happened to you?”

“Momma, I…”

Stevie’s mother looked at Lampwick.

“Where did you get that donkey from? Some people in town have been saying some monster has been turning boys into donkeys and selling them. Is that one of those boys?”

Stevie hung his head. “Momma, I was one of those boys.”

“No, Stevie, please no,” his mother said.

Stevie did his best to explain the island, where he’d been the past eight months and how’d he’d regained his humanity.

“I’m sorry Momma. That man fooled me. I know I was bad. Please don’t hate me,” Stevie said.

Stevie’s mother touched Stevie’s ears.

“I don’t hate you Stevie. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that. I wish -- I should have done something to help you.”

“It wasn’t your fault Momma.”

“Please, tell me you’re not going to change back into a donkey,” Stevie’s mother said.

“I hope I don’t. I want to be a boy,” Stevie said.

“At least tell me you didn’t do anything too bad as a donkey, especially with those female donkeys.”

“I was a good donkey Momma. By bad stuff do you mean like kissing?” Stevie asked.

Stevie’s mother smiled and hugged Stevie. “More then that but if you don’t know what I mean then I know you were still a boy, even when you were a donkey.”

“Well, I did kinda go to the bathroom where people could see but only after a long time,” Stevie said.

“That’s okay Stevie; I know you probably couldn’t help it. Just as long as you know you can’t do that anymore and that you’re going to be good from now on,” Stevie’s mother said.

“I promise I’ll be good from now on. I don’t want to act like to a donkey! I’m happy to be a boy again so I can act like a boy.”

“I trust you Stevie but how do I know I won’t come into your room one morning only to see that you’ve changed back?”

“Please Momma, I don’t wana change back either. Please give me a chance to be a boy again.”

Stevie’s mother hugged Stevie.

“All right Stevie. I think we might need some extra prayers to make sure.”

“I’ll pray to make sure too Momma, I promise,” Stevie said.

“So, who is that donkey then?”

Lampwick walked up to the door.

“Because I am a donkey,” Lampwick said.

“How can you speak?” Stevie’s mother asked.

Lampwick did his best to explain not only why he could still speak but also why he’d chosen to remain a donkey.

“I fear that you may have gone mad,” Stevie’s mother said. “But, if it’s true that you being the way you are saved you from madness then perhaps I should withhold judgment. If you’ve both lived as donkeys and you still want to be one then I should respect that. It is your life child but are you sure?”

Lampwick nodded. “I’m sure.”

“Do you want your mother to know that she raised a donkey?”

“Mom, come on,” Stevie said.

“It’s okay Stevie. It’s not my Momma’s fault I’m a donkey,” Lampwick said. “I did it to myself. She tried to get me to be a good boy. She warned me of how I was behavin’. I never listened because I was a donkey on the inside and didn’t want to be a good boy.”

Stevie’s mother patted Lampwick.

“If this is what you want then I should accept that. You saved Stevie from that life and for that you have my eternal thanks,” Stevie’s mother said.

She bent down and kissed Lampwick right on the lips. Lampwick smiled. She stood up and patted Lampwick.

“Let’s just keep that between you and I, okay?”

Lampwick nodded.

“Hey girls, come see who’s home,” Stevie’s mother said.

Lampwick watched as two young girls walked to the door. Their shock when they saw Stevie was visible. They hugged and there were more then enough tears, thanks and questions for Stevie and Lampwick about what being a donkey was like. The girl’s even hugged Lampwick to thank him.

“Well kid, I’m glad I could help you,” Lampwick said. “But I should be getting home. I think I have a lot of explaining to do.”

“Want me to come with you Lampwick?” Stevie asked.

Lampwick shook his head. “Thank but no thanks kid. You should spend time with your family.”

Everyone thanked Lampwick one more time before he left.

- - -

Lampwick’s walk back to his house was a nervous one. People were commenting on the loose donkey as Lampwick walked. There were times he considered calling the Fairy and asking her to restore his human form.  Lampwick knew he was paying a high price in remaining a donkey. However, he also felt that the chance to continue being himself was worth it.

When he reached his house, he knocked on the door with his right fore hoof. His mother opened the door a moment later. He wondered where his sister Clarisse was.

“Hi Momma,” Lampwick said.

His mother rubbed her eyes.

“I’m sorry but did you just speak or am I going mad?”

“It’s me Momma, it’s Leonardo.”

“That’s impossible. My son disappeared eight months ago and he’s a boy. No, I must be going mad,” she said.

Lampwick walked closer and nuzzled his mother.

“You’re not going mad Momma, it’s really me. I’ve come home,” Lampwick said.

“Some of the others were speaking of a man that was turning boys into donkeys. A talking donkey could only be the product of dark magic. I shouldn’t be touching you,” Lampwick’s mother said.

Lampwick’s ears sank.

“Please Momma, I’m not evil. We stopped the man that was doing that. The Fairy helped me to do that.”

“You sound like my son. But if it’s true that you stopped that man then why are you still a donkey? Where have you been all this time?”

Lampwick explained the last eight months, why he’d chosen to remain a donkey (including the truth about his behavior) and how he’d help defeated the Coachman. He also told his mother of his nickname for his sister; Cassie, information about what their house looked like on the inside and even some embarrassing things that happened when Lampwick was a kid to help prove who he was.

“Please Momma, don’t feel bad, it’s not your fault I’m a donkey. Clarisse is a good girl. I was just a bad kid. But, I’m a great donkey,” Lampwick said.

Lampwick’s mother knelt down and hugged him before tears began to flow from her eyes.

“I just wish I could have saved you from this,” she said.

“But I’m okay Momma. I know it’s strange that I’m a talking donkey now but I kinda always was one,” Lampwick said. “Maybe now I can do work for you or other people now. I can even give Cassie donkey back rides; I’m like the pony she always wanted. Please Momma; can I be your donkey? I promise I’ll be a special donkey. I can make you proud instead of making you ashamed.”

Lampwick’s mother stood up and whipped her eyes.

“You’re sure this is what you want?” Lampwick’s mother asked.

Lampwick nodded.

“You’re still my son no matter what you look like on the outside,” his mother said.

“So, I can be a donkey then?” Lampwick asked.

“To be honest Leonardo, we could use a donkey to pull carts and to help with other things around here,” his mother said. “But, how can I do that to my own son?”

“Momma, I want to do those things! You’re not being bad. This is better then anything I’ll ever end up doin’ as a man. Please Momma; you can say it. I know I’m a donkey.”

“I suppose you’re right Leonardo. At least I can keep an eye on you this way. You will have to behave yourself. We can’t have a wild donkey running around,” Lampwick’s mother said.

“Don’t worry Momma. I’ll be the best donkey in town!” Lampwick said.

Lampwick’s mother patted him.

“There is that coral down the street. But, I’d prefer you slept in your bed.”

“Momma, I’m a donkey. It’s okay. I know I gotta give some stuff up,” Lampwick said.

“If that’s what you want. But, we could still try to build something for you around here.”

“That would be swell,” Lampwick said.

“The family that owns that coral has a female donkey; I expect you to be polite around her. I can learn to accept you’re a donkey but I’m not sure I’m ready for my grandchildren to be donkeys.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be good,” Lampwick said. “So where’s Cassie? I wana give her a donkey back ride!”

Lampwick’s mother called into the house. When Clarisse arrived at the door, Lampwick smiled.

“Remember what the people were saying about that man that was turning boys into donkeys?” their mother asked.

She proceeded to tell Clarisse about Lampwick.

“Leonardo, that’s you?” Clarisse said.

“It sure is squirt,” Lampwick said.

Lampwick told Clarissa everything he’d told his mother. She was a bit more accepting of his decision to remain a donkey. If anything, she was happy to have him home, even if he came home in a strange shape.

In the end, Lampwick guessed that his mother was probably happy to have him home and willing to contribute, even if it was in a bizarre way. Lampwick knew the sorts of jobs kids like him got when they grew up, he didn’t want to end up like that and he doubted his mother wanted it either.

The Coachman had turned Lampwick into a donkey for the purposes of enslavement. Ironically, it had saved Lampwick -- from himself.

“Come on, climb aboard. I’ll give you a donkey back ride! It’s like a pony back ride but way more swell!”

“Can I Momma?” Clarisse asked.

“All right dear. You be good Leonardo,” his mother said.

Lampwick let Clarisse climb on top of him. They went on a nice long walk together where they talked for hours.

He’d finally come home.