by Dan Edmund
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I did not see Harry again until the dawning of the next day, his eighth. When he came out from his bedroom, I mentioned that a picnic was planned near the local waterfall. However, he again stressed that he had too much work to do.
"Anyway, I don't enjoy picnics, nor mixing with a lot of ignorant people."
"They're not ignorant people!" I countered. "They're good people if you would just give them a chance. Yesterday, after our worship, these people planned a picnic in your honor, hoping that they could get to know you better. Besides, it'll be fun."
"Fun!" he protested.
"Yes, fun! The only way you can accept this world as being real is to enjoy it, and the only way you can enjoy it is to take part in it, and that includes all the people that are all too willing to be your friend, if only you would let them."
He heaved a sigh. "Ah, all right. I'll come, if you insist."
"That's great, Harry!" I flashed a smile. "But just for once, please leave your notebook at home!"