Part 777: Panne A

Mother! I got it! I understand at last!

You understand...? Understand what?

The secret pride of the taguel, of course! I know what it is!

Oh? Then let's have it.

The pride of a taguel is being true to yourself! To not live for temptation or fear, but for what your own heart tells you is right. That's how you survived, Mother. You have such a strong heart, and you listen to it.

Well, I don't know if all our people would agree with your idea... But as far as I'm concerned, your words ring true.

You're the only full-blood taguel still alive. Don't you see what that means? Whatever you agree with is what all taguel agree with! However you choose to live is how all taguel choose to live!

Heh, your logic is sound enough.

I'm going to grow strong, too! I'll be so powerful and mighty, I'll bring honor to you and the taguel name!

You've learned this on your own- and perhaps that, too, is the taguel way. A mother does not lecture, but teaches by example.

Yes, exactly! We taguel don't need to talk all the time to learn new things.

Perhaps we should put this insight into practice. No more talking from now on.

What? No, wait! That would be awful!

...Heh heh, it was only a jape. Surely our people can appreciate the value of humor as well?

No, of course, it's just... I wasn't sure you knew what a joke was. Most of the time you talk as if you just ate a sour turnip...

or 20!

*Ahem* I've just remembered something about taguel parenting practice. Corporal punishment is common and often administered with a large, wooden paddle.

WHAAAT?! You just made that up!

.....

Y-you're doing that staring thing again! S-stop it! What happened to the "value of humor"? You don't really... have a paddle... Do you?

Heh. Got you again.

Pheeeeew... Er, yeah. Ha... ha? Maybe joking around is one area in which we taguel could use a bit more practice...