Davide la Locomotive

Two festivals. One plan. Very different nights.

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Every summer, each village held a Fire Festival—music, food, lights, and chaos.

The peacock checked in with each village.
“We need to throw the biggest, brightest festival yet. Stage, banner, tent, the works!” he said.

The Yolotown lazy cat said, “Stage, tent, banner. Got it.”
The rooster flapped dramatically. “We’re going to put on the BEST FESTIVAL.”
The parrot squawked, “The plan is clear. Let’s do it.”

The team in Dunwell listened.
“Great,” said the turtle. “Just one question: how many guests?”
“Will there be food trucks, or should we cater?” asked the lion.
“Do we need lights?” asked the squirrel.
“Where will animals… you know… go?” said the snail.

The peacock blinked. “Oh! Yeah, good questions.”
They discussed details and figured it out.

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On the day, the peacock arrived in Yolotown beneath a glittering banner:
“WELCOME TO FIRE FESTEVILLE!”

There was a six-foot stage made of branches.
“Who’s doing music?” he asked.
“DJ DuckDown was, but he saw the stage and left,” said the cat. “So the sloth’s doing it.”
The sloth was slowly picking up a record.

No toilets. No bins.
“Where’s the tent?”
“Over there—for catering.” The parrot pointed at a five-animal camping tent.

Inside, Patsy was prepping food: a few rolls and slices of cheese.
“Enough food?” the peacock asked.
“Moo,” said Patsy.

The peacock slipped away.

A few animals came, ate the cheese rolls, and left.
The sloth took ten minutes to change songs.
The rooster belted karaoke from the wobbly stage.
It got dark. No lights. Everyone needed the toilet.

“Hey,” said the parrot, “Maybe we check out Dunwell?”

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Dunwell’s lanterns shimmered.
The ground thumped with bass.
DJ DuckDown was back at the decks, bobbing in time.

They walked in under bunting.
The snail slid over with elderflower spritzers. BBQ smoked nearby. The turtle offered nibbles.

Later, the cat and lion talked conditioner.
The turtle, sloth, and snail were deep into a game of Snap.
The squirrel, parrot and peacock discussed their favourite grain-based pastries.

Suddenly, the rooster stumbled onto stage, grabbed the mic, and started singing karaoke.
Badly.
The crowd roared. Someone threw glitter.

DJ DuckDown nodded once and leaned into the mic:
“BEST. FESTIVAL. EVER.”

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