"Where are we going now Dad? Are we off on another adventure?" Norman yipped excitedly. The young griffin cub was bouncing left and right, taking swipes at his father's long striped tail. Maintaining a steady stride that his son could keep up with, Tiberius spoke over his shoulder, "I'm afraid not. I have to take care of things around the forest. You, on the other hand, are going to be waiting at home."

"What?!" Norman cried. "I didn't stutter, you heard me," Tiberius pointed out, not even looking behind him. Dashing forward, Norman blocked his father's path as he yelped, "But Dad! I don't wanna be at the den! There's nothing to do there!"

"Sure there is. You can wait for me," Tiberius answered. Without another word, he lowered his head and picked up Norman by his feathery scruff. Once he was sure he had a firm grip, the griffin resumed walking. Hanging limp in his father's beak, the cub grumbled, "This isn't fair."

"Life is never fair Norman, it never was and never will be. Remember that," Tiberius mumbled, his voice muffled through his son's soft and fluffy feathers. Walking along, he often glanced down at Norman. The cub was small for his age. It hurt the griffin to see that. Surely his son should be able to learn how to fly by now. But his wings were still small and so were his legs, which should have been longer by now as well. Heck, Tiberius figured that Norman should have been a third of his size. The cub however was only a quarter, maybe even less, of how big the griffin was.

"Dad, what if I went to school?" Norman suddenly asked. Taken aback by the question, Tiberius muttered, "School? You want to go to school?" Nodding his head, Norman explained, "I wouldn't have to be stuck in the den all day and you wouldn't have to worry so much if you knew I was somewhere safe."

"And so you thought that school was a safer place than your own home?" Tiberius grumbled. Rounding a giant oak tree, he spotted their thicket den up ahead. It was good to be back home. Padding up to the entrance, he set Norman down. Taking a seat upon the sandy ground surrounding the thicket, the griffin went on, "I'm sorry Norman but you are staying here."

"Please Dad, I really want to go to school. Please," Norman begged, his ears pinned against his head as he gave his father the infamous puppy dog eyes. Watching his son, Tiberius sighed heavily. Thinking for a moment, he finally declared, "Tell you what, I'll think about it, okay? Hopefully I will have a decision by tonight. But I don't want you pestering me about it when I get home. And if you leave the den again, I definitely will not let you go to school. Deal?"

"Deal!" Norman squeaked. He ran up and hugged his dad as he purred, "Thank you Daddy." Returning the embrace, Tiberius gave Norman an affectionate nuzzle as he murmured, "No problem little guy. Now, stay here. I'll be back by tonight." Getting up to his feet, the griffin turned and walked away. The cub, meanwhile, watched him leave before entering the den, hoping he got his wish.