Lola and Marco Chapter 3: Marco Says Goodbye

 Lola didn't think that she would live through the ride on the self propelled cart. It was bumpy and so very fast when they went down the hill. Some of the wine bottles fell off the cart making people yell and wave angry fists at them. Marco reassured her that all would be well. He would protect her. He said his nose told him that there was water nearby. Suddenly the cart stopped. The two dogs fell off the cart shaking off straw and thanking their lucky stars that they were still alive and not hurt. 

Marco looked around and said, "Lola, look! Look through those trees. We are going over there. I was right. There is a stream of water through those trees. I can hear it sing. She hopped on his back and once again Marco was right. It didn't take very long to make their way through the vines and the trees to see that there was a stream of water. It wasn't as big as a canal that the gondolas floated on and it certainly wasn't as big as the ocean, but it was water. It was clear and it was cold and delicious. The two dogs drank as much as they could. They made their way over to the shade of the big trees and decided to lay down and rest before they continued on their journey to the shipyard. 

The arrival of Lola and Marco stirred up some interest of the wildlife that lived by the stream. There were squirrels, frogs, and lots of birds and even some beautiful blue butterflies. Those butterflies were not a bit happy with the visitors because they were close by the flowers that they drank nectar from. They had just settled down for a very juicy lunch with their long straw like tongues when those dogs interrupted them. They flew away to a bush that was a safe distance away from the two dogs. They were interested to see what the strangers were going to do. 

They were soon to hear and see another stranger making a cheerful chittering whistling sound. There was a mouse in a tiny row boat. He had his lunch packed and seemed to be on his way to the sea. At least that's what Lola told Marco. "Oh, Marco, look. There is a mouse. He is not a house mouse, he is a mouse on his way for an adventure. An adventure on the sea. I just know it. Let's ask if he will take us with him on his little boat. I am sure that would be a wonderful way to travel. Look how happy he is!"

Marco looked at the traveling mouse and shook his head. "I am sure he is going to the sea, Lola, but his little boat does not have room for us. See how tiny it is? There is room just for you. I will ask if he will take you to the ship that is going to the New World. But I will stay here. Italia is my home. If the mouse says yes and if he is going to the New World too, I will ask him to take good care of you."

Lola was not a bit happy about leaving Marco. She loved Marco. He had protected her, made sure she had food and water, and believed in helping her achieve her dreams. How could she leave him? Oh, but she so wanted to see the New World. Maybe that mouse wouldn't even take her along with him. A mouse wouldn't take care of her like Marco had been. Oh dear, what should she do?

Marco made his way to the water and splashed it with his big paw. "Hello there, mouse on the boat. Will you take my friend, Lola, with you? She is very small and doesn't eat much. She very much wants to go on a big sailing ship to the New World. Is that where you are going?"

After a long discussion about the mouse not eating meat and Lola eating cheese and fruit the mouse agreed to give it a try only after Lola agreed to keep dangerous cats from harming him on board ship.

Marco had been keeping a secret knowing that at some point in time he and Lola would have to go separate ways; he had gotten her a little gift. He helped her onto the little boat and said, "Here you go, Lola. I got you this so that every time you get afraid or lonely just cuddle up to this little toy and think of me. You will be just fine. Now go on. Go and have your adventure, little one. Go!"