Mi Amiga
By Jean Boonstra
“Peachie, come here girl,” said Mrs. Torres. “Are you still hungry?”
Peachie the tame baby moose stepped closer to her friend Mrs. Torres. She nibbled on the carrot in her open hand.
“You love carrots, don’t you?” Mrs. Torres asked. “See we’re friends, and I like eating my lunch outside with you!”
Peachie nibbled on the carrot and then jumped as she heard footsteps.
“Oh, it’s alright Peachie, that’s just Mr. Garcia,” Mrs. Torres said soothingly.
“Oh hi Mrs. Torres,” Mr. Garcia said with a smile.
“Mr. Garcia,” said Mrs. Torres, “do you know my friend Peachie?”
“Of course I do,” he answered enthusiastically. “We’re best friends!”
“Best friends?” Mrs. Torres asked surprised.
Mr. Garcia unzipped his backpack. “Yes! I have her favorite snack in my backpack.”
Mrs. Torres frowned. “Well, she just ate three carrots. I don’t think that she’s hungry.”
“Look Peachie,” Mr. Garcia said triumphantly. “I have your favorite snack—a peach!”
Peachie sniffed the delicious fruit.
“You can’t feed her that!” said Mrs. Torres, concerned. “There’s a pit in the middle!”
“I know,” said Mr. Garcia. “I always slice it for my best friend!”
Mrs. Torres crossed her arms. “Well, if she even likes peaches I guess that’s alright.”
Peachie eagerly ate the yummy peach. “There you go my friend,” said Mr. Garcia. “Mejor amiga, my best friend!”
“Peachie,” Mrs. Torres said, trying to get the baby moose’s attention, “I have more carrots mi amiga.”
Mr. Garcia laughed. “She isn’t interested in carrots anymore.”
Mrs. Torres closed her lunch box with a loud slam. “You can’t just walk up here and decide that you’re Peachie’s best friend,” she said. “I spend every lunch hour with her!”
Startled by the noise, Peachie scampered off into the woods.
Mrs. Torres sighed. “Oh dear,” she said “I scared her off.”
“I’m sorry,” said Mr. Garcia, smiling. “It was silly to compete for the friendship of a baby moose.”
Mrs. Torres thought for a moment and then she laughed, too. “Yes, it does sound silly when you say it that way. I’m sorry, too.”
Mrs. Torres reached into her bag. “You know, I also like to read my Bible at lunchtime. I read a verse earlier, let me see if I can find it.”
“Oh, what were you reading?” he asked.
“Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 24. ‘And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…’”
“Whoa,” said Mr. Garcia, “we were doing the opposite!”
“Yes,” Mrs. Torres agreed. “That was a silly disagreement. Mr. Garcia you are mi amigo, my friend.”
“Thank you!” Mr. Garcia said. “And you are mi amiga, my friend.”
“Mi amigo, would you like a carrot?” Mrs. Torres asked with a laugh.
“I’ll pass,” Mr. Garcia laughed. “Save those for Peachie. Your amiga will be back again tomorrow.”
