Epilogue

Ten years has passed since Popuri has taken over the chicken ranch business in Mineral Town. The family business has thrived under her loving leadership. She plays a more active role in the ranch and teaches her brother everything she has learned. She then travels around the continent visiting many other villages and towns to learn more about the world of poultry. At least once a year, she will pay a visit to her boyfriend in Sunny Island.

During her many travels, she discovered a new fluffier type of chicken called the silkie hen. She also gains a love for another type of animal that lives in the chicken coop, the angora rabbits. Now the family has a whole new form of income with rabbit fur. The ranch became so successful with her experience, she had several additional coops built to house all the new animals. Not a single animal was ever sold anywhere that kills or eats any bird or bunny.

As great of a success story Popuri’s journey became, her father has never returned home. Nobody knows where he currently is, some people even believe he may have died looking for the desert flower. Each year that passes, Lillia’s heart breaks a little bit more. Even though she misses her husband, she is still happy and healthy with the support of her growing family and thriving business. She is very happy and proud that she allowed her daughter to take over the business.

Mark continues to wait in Sunny Island for the day that the love of his life will accept his blue feather. She is very busy each and every day working at the chicken ranch, but he supports her in any way he can from the island. No matter how busy Popuri gets, their love for each other remains strong.

One summer day, Mark wipes his brow after a long day of work in his farm. He looks over the farm and smiles. The summer crops are producing a bounty of produce, the animals are happy, and the farm is doing very well. He has aged quite a bit since he first met Popuri a decade ago. His face is bristly with a blonde beard, his body is stout with muscles from years of working on the farm, and his voice has gotten a little deeper. Even with all these changes, he is still the same farmer that everyone in the island knows and appreciates.

As Mark continues to oversee the farm, a young boy no older than eight years old walks in. His hair is blonde and his eyes are green, just like Mark. As soon as he sees Mark, he beams cheerfully yelling, “daddy!”

Mark turns to the boy running towards him, and smiles cheerfully. “Tobias my son! How are you doing buddy?”

The boy wastes no time jumping into his father’s arms. Mark catches him while laughing cheerfully. He embraces his son tightly as he rubs his blonde hair making him laugh as well. They haven’t seen each other in several seasons, so these moments are very special to both of them.

“Where’s your mom?” asked Mark.

“I’m right here,” answered Popuri as she walks into the farm. She has aged a bit as well since she first met him. Her eyes are beginning to squint just like her mother Lillia, but she is still the beautiful young woman Mark fell in love with. She is also still wearing the same dress she always wears when she visits the island. Even though they are not married to each other just yet, they still were able to create a child. Being co-parents has been difficult, but they still work together to create a successful long distance family.

The family moves over to Mark’s pasture where their son can play with the animals. Popuri and Mark just sit on a nearby fence watching over their son while they catch up. “So, how was your trip to Waffle Town?” asked Mark as Tobias rides on the back of a cow.

“It was amazing. I met a new type of bird from the farmer that lives there. They are called ostriches, and the people of Waffle Town ride them like horses. They also lay these huge eggs that taste a bit creamier than normal chicken eggs. I’m really interested in selling them back in Mineral Town. Maybe even start a new festival involving them racing.”

Mark chuckles. “Sounds like fun. Maybe I’ll raise one in the island too.”

Popuri nods, then looks up into the clear blue sky. “It has been about five years since my chickens passed on. It’s sad that my babies can’t live long, but I’m glad that I was able to raise them. We still have their children, but I miss them dearly. No matter how much I study, a chicken’s short life is something I can’t change.”

“How’s everybody back in Mineral Town?” asked Mark.

“Not too much has changed. Jill and Skye are still married and raising their children. He helps around the farm when he can, but he’s such a night owl. At least he dropped the ‘phantom thief’ lifestyle when he became a husband. Everyone else is just a little older and wiser each year that passes.”

“And your mom?”

“She’s doing well. She still feels a bit sad and alone without dad, but Tobias and my brother’s kids keep her company. I want my brother to take over the ranch, so I can move here and start my own chicken business someday. You know, franchise a little. Maybe Tobias can grow up and start his own chicken business too. For now, mom still need me and Tobias back in Mineral Town.”

She then turns to Mark and smiles, “when mom is ready to live without us, I can finally become your wife. Until then, I hope that you can wait a little bit longer until we can become a real full time family.”

“I am looking forward to that day,” answered Mark.

They then hold hands and continue to watch over their son who is running around the pasture playing with the cows and chickens. They both can’t wait until the day they can finally recite their wedding vows in front of all their family and friends and become a married couple. No matter how much time that passes, they both know that the wait is worth every single second.

The end.