I know this seems like a gigantic Kung Fu Panda rip-off now, Erika Hb, but I created these characters back in highschool when KFP wasn't even a thing. :D This is Mei the giant panda, Neeka the raccoon and Miss Mabel the goose. Miss Mabel is a Christian missionary in the 19th century. She is a spinster goose born into wealth and privilege. Mabel was taught to use her wealth to help others, so she becomes a missionary. She never marries and she is pitied in her society for it. :( Therefore, she never intended to be a parent, but as a missionary to the animal species of the American Northeast she encounters a small orphan raccoon cub named Neeka. In Neeka's society, orphans are not treated kindly; they are usually forced to work hard and are given meager cast-off food and clothing to survive upon. Mabel pities the raccoon cub and takes her home to Canada to raise. Mabel proves a strict, but caring parent to the cub. Mabel doesn't allow the raccoon to practice any of her people's traditions or even use her birth name. Mabel demands Neeka convert to Christianity and she take the name “Mildred.” (Mabel calls her “Missie.”) But Neeka is very devoted to Mabel. She views Mabel as saving her from a life of hardship and rejection which is exactly what Mabel thinks of the situation. Because of this, in some ways, Neeka is very timid and submissive. Mabel teaches the cub to be a servant in all things and be obedient in all things. Eventually, Miss Mabel decides to travel to Southeast Asia (modern day Thailand) as a missionary. Neeka travels with her. There they meet Mei. Mei is in a similar situation as Neeka. Mei was born in the mountains of China, but was displaced by war and sold as a slave to a boar faraway from her homeland. The boar, a cook, is a hard taskmaster and gives Mei the most tedious tasks. The boar's business partner is a water buffalo. He always wanted children, but never married. He's kindly to the orphaned panda cub behind the boar's back and gives her extra food and encouragement. He finds Mei has a great talent for making dim sum and dumplings. :3 When Mei meets Mabel and Neeka, the missionaries aren't doing well. The animals aren't receptive to their message as Mabel keeps telling these people that their faith, values and traditions are bad and wrong. Mei, however, strikes up a friendship with Neeka considering what they have in common. Also, unlike her adopted mother, Neeka is very curious and interested in lifestyles and perspectives different from her own. Mei, a devout Buddhist, shares with Neeka every perspective of her life. Neeka feels she can only be her true self around Mei and only Mei calls Neeka by her true name. Soon the animals in Mei's village grow intolerant of Mabel and plot to drive her out or possibly harm her (as hatred for foreigners, especially those trying to change traditional ways, is sweeping the country). Mei helps Mabel and Neeka escape the village and mother and daughter eventually find passage across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii and then on to San Francisco. Eventually, when Mabel expires peacefully of old age, Neeka gets the chance to thank Mei for her kindness. Neeka finds Mei when she goes back to Thailand and then travels on to China. (Mei returned to her homeland and found some of her cousins had survived the war.) Mei married a male panda and they had many fat cubs. :3 Neeka and Mei are joyfully reunited and Neeka lives out the rest of her days with Mei's family. The End. Characters and art belong to me.
