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Now, this was strange. I knew he had some prank ready by the look in his eyes, but I couldn't quite see it in the future, the old fortune teller has been blocking me. I was so annoyed, I was to bring ma and pa wood today, and he throws us in this strange realm where everything is backwards! And now this girl insulting us about our clothes! OK, I am poor, but what is she wearing! And talking into a box!
After we talked and agreed to go our way, I went wandering aimlessly. There was hardly a tree worth calling that, this future is not to my liking. But eventually I found a really big meadow, at the end of this village. There was something we might call a forest, so i went in. It was nice to see that the animals here are the same, they kept following me and it was comforting.
After I calmed down, I had to find my way. I had to find some shelter, something to eat and to change the way I look. I observed a few people while walking, but I had no idea where to find such clothes, let alone how to wear it. Then I turned around and there was a lion! At first I thought that was the same from before, the lion that has followed me before the magician saw me, but it was not. He looked so sad and hurt, so I tried to feel what was wrong. The next thing I knew, there were few fellows, scared and armed with some strange devices, telling me not to be afraid and that they will kill the lion. That got me scared, and you can think how the lion felt! So I tried to talk to them, which was difficult as I am not familiar with their talk. But I told them the lion is hurt, that his eyes hurt, and that he's not trying to harm anyone, only that he was mad with pain. Somehow they calmed down, maybe because the lion sat next to me and looked like he was crying. It hurt me just to feel his pain. The fellows did not know what to do, so I told them to call their master. That got them laughing! They are not slaves and have no master, but they will call the circus owner. What a strange name.
The circus owner, named Joe, came and I told him about the lion. He was not convinced, but was ready not to kill it right away. His little son came running and yelling at his father not to kill his Sultan. I could tell he loved the lion, and the lion was pretty much feeling the same. He stopped short when he saw me. His pa told him I said that the lion was hurt and the little mite started crying and telling to call a veterinarian, whoever that is. So they pulled out one of the boxes and started talking in it. For a while we all stood there as we were and I felt kind of silly, like I failed in the task. A man showed up, carrying some long stick and the kid jumped in front of the lion crying not to kill his Sultan. I guessed the stick is dangerous so I did the same. Again I said what was wrong and this man has listened to me. He said he has warned them about it before and now the poor animal is suffering. He asked me how is it that the lion won't hurt me. Now that was a tough question! I said I grew up with a lot of wild animals and that they have always have trusted me. Not convinced completely, but the man asked me to calm the lion while he gets some drops into his eyes which will help him. He was scarred, but he did not pull that stick out, maybe because the kid kept looking at him with eyes full of tears, ready to leak any moment. The lion understood this was something good for him and has allowed me to hold his head. The drops went in, the lion flinched, the man jumped away...and nothing. They all felt better, I can tell you. The man looked at the lion's eyes and said his eyes were getting worse. We all went back, the kid and me hugging the poor lion, and everyone else close by, worried about the kid.
They live in tents, how primitive! So, once there, the man said that Joe should give the lion the drops 3 times a day and keep him warm until he found a way to make 'glasses' for the animal. Joe was not happy about it, and neither were any of other men. So I offered I could come three times a day to do it, and they all relaxed. The kid was holding my skirt and lion's fur, happy as a pig. I have no idea what glasses are, but all right, I'll manage. Joe was looking at me, and I soon realized why - all the animals kept coming closer to me! Traitors.
So Joe said that since the animals like me and since the lion needs his drops, I might as well stay in one of the tents and help taking care of them all, and that their someone who did it has run away with the woman with the beard. How odd. But I took it, how could I not! So I joined them for dinner and took care of the animals. Sultan was so happy to see me, and the end I slept next to him in my tent - we had to keep him warm

The next day I became a part of their show, The Animal Charmer Who Sleeps With Lions, what a name. So I got this red thing called a jacket, and Joe's wife did my hear and face. I came up with a sweet act with part of animals and it was a hit, how Joe called it. I kept seeing glimpses of the future and I knew that I was to stay a bit longer. The woman with crystal ball is completely useless, she sees nothing it it, it makes me laugh. But she is good at guessing what people need to hear, which I am not, so there's that. I kept seeing and dreaming a boy from our time, lost in the streets here, and it got me worried, because he looked familiar. I felt he was coming, so I decided to wait.
In 2 days the circus started packing and I knew my time is to come soon. Sultan got some glasses, he looks so funny with it. But his eyes are better and the cold is better too. Nicky, the kid, keeps bringing him more and more blankets until you could see only Sultan's eyes, but he loves the kid and takes whatever Nicky does. I had to stop him and teach him some things, and he seems to feel Sultan's needs better. I tried to see his future and I am calm, he will do great things for animals, which all started with his Sultan.
Tonight the circus went away. They were sad to leave without me, but I told them I was waiting for someone and that I might find them later. Sultan was sad, Nicky was crying, Joe was not. His wife felt better because she worried Joe might 'fall for me', whatever that meant.
I've been waiting in the shadows all night and in the dawn there was a young man, a boy actually, in his early teens, hurrying over the meadow. The package the magician has given me started shaking, like I did not know it was the time. I stepped out, he stopped, scarred. I said: I've been waiting for you for four days, Prince, I'm here to help you get home.
-Thank God, he said, almost crying, knowing that the thanks should have gone to the court magician. But of course he is a brave lad, so he did not cry. Not much, anyhow.
The Prince said he went through the magician's stuff at home and got into this strange future, all by himself. At first intrigued and went away, he said, exploring, but he got homesick soon and had no idea how to get home. He kept running from place to place, hiding, stealing food, dreaming of the magician, but couldn't hear what he was saying in the dream. So he decided to find the meadow where he came through and that night he dreamed the magician nodding his head, like confirming he should come here.
He stood next to me and I hugged him with one arm, holding a small crystal ball the magician has given me. Something was written on the paper, so I've read it aloud. A bright light flooded the meadow, forcing us to close our eyes. I kept him close to me, worried what would happen if he struggled away, scarred by the process. But he really is a brave lad, he held on to me with a strong and sure grip. We felt again like we were raised from the ground and transported somewhere else. The wind stopped swirling and we were in the magician's hut, with king and queen waiting for their boy. The prince went into their arms, but the hug he gave to the sorcerer was the most beautiful one I've ever seen.
The sorcerer said to me my task was completed well, because I had trusted my powers and senses to know where to stay and when to act. He was happy with good work I did with the animals as well.
Satisfied as I was with my task, as soon as I could I went away, to see ma and pa and give them a hug. I needed it as much as the Prince needed his parents. That odd future took all the courage I had, and I needed a refill.
