Argus’ eyes grew wider knew that stuck-up sounding voice. It was the voice of Sebastian Bulgari, son of the farmer Uri Bulgari, Argus’ Uncle’s rival. “What do you know about pigs? Besides rolling in your own filth that is.” Argus asked annoyed.
“Well, for starters, I know that a pig like that will never win against ours,” Sebastian began, “Ours is bigger, faster, and prettier, because we’re winners, and you and your family are losers.” Argus started to get angry.
“I’ll have you know Bulgari, that Abigale here has much of a chance to win as your pig!” Sebastian began laughing.
“Don’t be stupid Argus. Your family is just dust in the wind compared to mine.”
Sebastian said, snarling at Argus. Argus suddenly heard his Uncle call out to him to hurry along and come back to help him unload the rest of their stock. Once Argus was done, he walked back to his Uncle, his eyes still filled with anger. “What took you so long?” Uncle Stefanos asked.
“It’s just Sebastian, being a snob like always.” Uncle Stefanos looked behind Argus to see the Bulgari’s staring at him, and began walking over to the Nephus stall. “Argus, what did you say to Sebastian?” Stefanos asked.
“Besides saying that he was wrong about our pig, and that he rolls around in his own filth, nothing really.”
Uncle Stefanos looked concerned, as the Mr. Uri Bulgari kept his eyes on the Nephuses. “Great, because now, they’re coming over.” Stefanos moved Argus out of the way, to meet Mr. Bulgari. “So, my son tells me that your runt of a nephew said that he rolls around in his own filth aye?”
“Well, maybe, Uri, you should teach your boy some manners.” Argus’ Uncle struck back. “My son was just putting your poor excuse of a family in its place.” Mr. Bulgari frowned intensely, creating wrinkles on his face.
“You don’t dare talk about my family that way! You hear me?!” Uncle Stefanos was sure he would shove him to the ground, and punch his lights out, but before Stefanos could take a swing, Mr. Teresi and Argus held him back. “Bulgari, that’s enough. Go back to your stall, and leave the Nephuses alone.” Mr. Teresi told Mr. Bulgari calmly, trying to keep the poorly kept peace. “Of course, Omar Teresi, always having to be a hero. I’ll leave, but don’t think this is over between you and I Stefanos.” With that, Mr. Bulgari walked away.
“You just had to rustle up his boy didn’t you Argus.” Uncle Stefanos said. “He was making fun of us. Besides, he deserves it.” Argus spoke back.
“Look, I don’t have the energy to fix what you start, so I need you to stop.” Argus looked at his Uncle, lost in his own thought.
“I’m sorry Uncle.” Argus walked over to Aunt Melody to help set up everything. In the next half hour, Argus and Aunt Melody had set up the veg, and soon, the villagers of Firandir began to come and buy the stock everyone had to offer. “Lovely corn.” Said Mr. Haddad; “I’ll bet your pig will win this year Stefanos.” Mrs. Chloros told Argus’ Uncle. One compliment after another came to the Nephus family.
Leander and his parents were doing very well with their stock as well, but none of them compared to the Bulgari’s stall. As the day went on, the storm clouds became darker, and it started to rain, much to the dismay of the farmers who’d entered their pigs into the competition
Uncle Stefanos, seeing Abigale with mud all over herself, rushed over with a towel while Argus went over to hold the pig still. While cleaning the dirty Abigale, Sebastian walked over, smirking. “How do you expect to win with that Argus?” The brat of a boy chuckled.
“Look, I’m sorry for what I said, but can you just leave us alone?” Argus asked, sounding tired.
“How can I do that when I have so much bragging to do? And to make matters better, you and your pig don’t stand a chance!”
“You do understand there are three challenges, right?” Argus asked. “Or are you so stupid that you’ve forgotten to think?”
“Argus!” Uncle Stefanos snapped. “What did I say before?! Apologize to Sebastian immediately!” Argus turned his head to Sebastian, almost squinting. “I’m sorry Sebastian.” Sebastian smirked. “I’m still going to tell Father.” Sebastian walked away, his smirk still on his face.
Uncle Stefanos looked at Argus, disappointed, before continuing to clean Abigale. A few minutes later, the pig competition had begun. The first challenge began, and Argus and his Uncle were staring nervously, as the judges to get a good look at each individual pig. Roman and August were there as well, while Leander was by Argus’ side. The judges took some time to deliberate before one of them shouted to the crowd, “The winner of the presentation challenge, is number three!”
Mr. Bulgari, with a smile, went up to claim his ribbon and prize money, the crowd cheering and clapping. The second challenge came, and each pig was weighed by scales. “The winner of the weight challenge, is number seven!” Argus and Uncle Stefanos looked at each other, remembering that the number their pig was given, was number seven. They jumped for joy, and Stefanos hurried up to claim the ribbon and money. “Congratulations!” Shouted Mr and Mrs. Levidis, Mr. Levidis shaking his hand.
“I knew you’d win!” Exclaimed Mrs. Chloros. Many other people patted Argus’ Uncle on the back, as he held up his money bag and ribbon, hugging Aunt Melody and Argus.
All clapped except the Bulgari family, and Argus caught sight of Mr. Bulgari arguing with Sebastian. He couldn’t quite hear what was being said, but he heard something about not feeding the pig enough. Argus began to laugh a bit, along with his three friends. Finally, it came time for the third challenge, the pig race. Almost the whole town was on the grass area, watching excitedly for the pigs to be released. Argus and Uncle Stefanos brought Abigale to the small race course, before returning to Aunt Melody. Minutes later, a large horn was brought to the grass area, and one of the judges went over to it, blowing the horn seconds later. “AND THEY’RE OFF!” Another judge shouted. The race would go on for three laps, and it at one point, Abigale was in the lead! “Go on Abigale!”
Argus shouted amongst the crowd. The first two laps went by quickly, and on the final stretch, Abigale fell behind, coming third. One of the judges looked down to the winning pig’s number, before announcing, “The winner of the race, is number eight!” Leander’s face lit up.
“THAT’S OURS DAD!” He shouted to Mr. Teresi beside him. Mr. Teresi, like Mr. Bulgari and Uncle Stefanos before him, went up to collect his prize. Mr. Bulgari looked angry, and walked back to his stall with an even bigger frown than before.
Argus and his Aunt and Uncle, along with the Teresi family, couldn’t stop smiling. Later on, Melody and Stefanos were packing everything up, while Argus was talking with his friends, including Leander. “Great job guys!” August said to Leander and Argus. “Thanks August.” Leander replied.
“OH! We forgot to ask Argus. We know your birthday’s coming up, and we want to take you out to dinner, just a small celebration.” Roman explained.
“That sounds great! I’ll have to ask my Uncle of course, but I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.” Argus explained.
“Would it be alright if I came too?” Leander asked.
“It wouldn’t be a celebration without my best friend there now, would it?” Leander got excited. “Well, it’s getting late, we should get back to our families and head home.” Argus said.
“Alrighty then, safe trip my friends.” Roman said, before he went off down the road. “Bye guys.” August followed Roman. Argus and Leander, after saying goodbye, went to their families. Uncle Stefanos was loading Abigale onto the cart, who now looked tired. “Poor Abigale’s very tired.” Aunt Melody said. “Yes. Luckily we’re going home now.” Uncle Stefanos said.
After a little more packing up, Argus got on the horse, and road with his Aunt and Uncle home. On the way, Argus brought up what Roman told him. He thought that since they had the money now, Argus could go out. “I’m fine with it if your Aunty is.” Uncle Stefanos said, both now looking at Argus’ Aunt.
“I suppose you’ve been working very hard lately, so I don’t mind setting aside some money for you to go out.” Argus became excited. “I can’t wait till my birthday!” Argus exclaimed. Once they were home, the sun was down, and Aunt Melody went to the kitchen, and began to prepare some sandwiches for dinner.
In the meantime, Uncle Stefanos went outside to smoke his pipe. Argus decided to go outside and join his Uncle, looking at the stars. They sat on the grass, relaxing and chatting. Argus was reminded of when he was younger, when he and his Uncle would do this all the time. It made him feel happy, and he smiled as he closed his eyes, remembering all of the memories he had with his Aunty and Uncle.
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