Day 22: The Human Doctor

"Åke! She's... She's here! Folja's finally here..." the exhausted mother called out to her husband.

"She's out? My baby! Let me take a look!" The father alma rushed forward into the dark house with his gas lamp. The warm glow of the lamp lit the dim room where Ebba held the newborn in her arms. Åke was excited to meet their new daughter, their newest pride and joy. He lifted the lamp nearer to the baby's face to get a closer look.

CRAAAAAASSHH!!

"No... It can't be."

In a split moment, all light went out once again as the lamp crashed onto the floor.

"What is the matter, dear? What's wrong?" Ebba's voice shook with alarm.

"Oy! Let me do this." - Pronobo, the human doctor, lit the candles in the room one by one, steadily. Light slowly filled the room once again.

Åke was still in shock as he stared at his newborn. Ebba finally had the chance to take a look at her daughter for the first time. A bright eyed baby alma. One bright eye stared innocently at her face.

"Why... It's a one-eyed alma...! Interesting. Very interesting!! Ha!" Mr Pronobo exclaimed.

"Excuse me, who are you and why are you here?" Ebba stared angrily at Mr Pronobo and his insensitive remark, suddenly feeling extremely intruded upon in this very private moment.

"Oh! I found this human doctor person, Mr Probono, is it? Wandering just outside that human town, Knackersville. He's kind of our last resort, so..." Åke trailed off sheepishly, then suddenly straightening himself and turning to the human.

"But but! Look at this baby, doctor! Is there anything you can do about her?"

"Well there is only one thing you can do, my friend."

"What is it?"

"Are you not her parents?"

"Yes, but..."

"Is she not a defenseless little alma baby?"

"That's right, but..."

"Do you not have responsibility to get the sausages?"

"Huh?"

"I've nothing else to do here. And now if you'll excuse me. I have a typhoon to catch..."