Don't Forget To Carve Me

A cool breeze traveled through Aluriza as the sun hit the middle of the sky. Leaves shifted with the breeze in a slurry of colors. The shadows creeped along the ground fighting against the golden light. "CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!", Ziggy's feet moved fast on the leaf covered ground. Ziggy had spent the day running around organizing the festivities to come but he'd forgotten about something. He scratched his head and shifted his weight awkwardly on his feet as he talked to the other xeros. They talked to Ziggy as his eyes shifted and the corners of his mouth shifted from side to side. The conversation ended quickly and Ziggy ran to their next task. Ziggy zoomed from task to task, they were a simple blur to all the xeros around them. They moved so quickly and frantically as if there was never enough done. The wind picked up again and Ziggy felt a chill run down their spine and they again scratched their head and furrowed their brow. "What am I forgetting?" He wondered allowed. The wind carried a group of leaves away along with Ziggy’s question. The leaves carefully tunneled into a window not far from the festivities. Ziggy's house floor was a mess of oranges, yellows and browns. He had left his window open and everything was quickly buried in the mischievous leaves including their lantern fruit! Ziggy's eyes went wide, "OH THAT'S RIGHT! I FORGOT TO TELL THE MUSICIANS THE LOCATION OF THE FESTIVAL HAD CHANGED!!!" Again, Ziggy ran off to a task that was likely already done in a bid to ease their worries. As the sun set Ziggy still zoomed from task to task unaware of what they'd left at home. The shadows crept in on their lantern fruit, grasping it. The lantern fruit gently fell over on the table. Would it rot just like the others? This year Ziggy had forgotten it, just like all the others, hadn't he? The wind whisked in stirring the leaves on the floor into a small tornado of fall colors. A loud "CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!" could be heard. The door swung open and Ziggy rushed in! "Not this year you don't!" He sang out as he skipped towards the lantern fruit. The lantern fruit was bathed in the very last bit of golden light from outside as Ziggy grabbed it. His tail wagged gently, his hands filled with the almost forgotten prize! Ziggy ran towards the festival, lantern fruit pressed close to their chest. That night they carved the fruit for the first time in years while the edge of their lips pulled into a wide smile! Ziggy carefully tapped in each shape. The shapes slowly formed in curves and waves and angles! The fruit became something more than a fruit, an art piece, stars and a xero living amongst them glowing in its flesh! Ziggy wasn't just a wonderful leader, he was an amazing artist. Ziggy held up his wonderful little canvas and showed the art he'd etched into it. “Good job, Ziggy!” another xero chirped out. Ziggy wagged his tail and hummed out “Thank you!” before hopping off to see the other wonderful works or art! The night came to an end and at Ziggy's door sat a glowing art piece to show the great feat he had accomplished today.