Remaining Anonymous/Part 1

Empath's personal journal.

''Ever since taking on the role of the assistant counselor, this smurf has had the pleasure of working with various Smurfs whose constant personalities prove to be problematic to themselves and to their fellow Smurfs. This smurf has worked with Scaredy to help him overcome his various phobias, even the ones that don't make much particular sense in any other Smurf's mind. This smurf has worked with Sickly to deal with his hypochondria and the possibility that his perceived illnesses are most likely psychosomatic in nature. This smurf has worked with Lazy to help him become a productive member of the Smurf Village despite his constant need for sleep. This smurf has worked with my lifelong friend Grouchy to help him be free of his own social awkwardness and to be able to express himself however he wants. This smurf has worked with Lucky and his compulsive gaming habits that are harming himself and others. And this smurf has been working with a Smurf named Anonymous, who feels like he is a complete nobody among his fellow Smurfs and is often teased by being called Nobody Smurf, much to this smurf's displeasure.''

''Some Smurfs wonder why this smurf continues to work with these Smurfs if they would never seem to change out of the problems that beset them. To be truthful, this smurf cares for them and considers them worthy of this smurf's attention, even if it would take a whole lifetime for them to become something more than what they are called. Papa Smurf doesn't seem to have a problem with this, since he too cares for all his little Smurfs as if they were his own flesh-and-blood children. This smurf tries to remain positive and hopeful despite what most Smurfs would say about those Smurfs that this smurf counsels.'' - Empath woke up that morning, feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. He got changed into his normal everyday clothes, feeling good about himself as he saw himself in the mirror to make sure everything about him was perfect. He then went downstairs to see that Polaris Psyche was already dressed and ready to start the day himself. "Salutations, fellow Polaris," he pleasantly greeted.

"Salutations, fellow Empath," Polaris greeted back in his usual non-emotional manner. "This one senses that you are ready to start the brand new day."

"All this smurf needs right now is a good breakfast, and then this smurf is ready to go," Empath said. "What have you planned for yourself for the day ahead?"

"As usual, this one will be watching over the village as its chief of security to make sure all activities within it are running smoothly, Empath," Polaris said.

"Well, this smurf should hope things will stay peaceful as they have been over the past several days at least," Empath said. "This smurf has a counseling session with Anonymous to attend to today."

"This one is curious to know what you would accomplish through these counseling sessions if the Smurfs seem predisposed to continue acting the way that they do among your people, Empath," Polaris said.

"This smurf believes that all individuals are capable of growing beyond themselves, if given enough time for them to learn their lessons, Polaris," Empath said. "This smurf doesn't believe that a Smurf is ever truly a 'lost cause', but it would sadden this smurf if anyone were to pass on from this life before they have the chance to really show what they are capable of."

"Yet the Smurfs do not seem to show the same regard to Gargamel, despite the years that they had to tolerate his attempts to destroy them," Polaris said.

"Admittedly this smurf wasn't even there to firsthand witness all that Gargamel has done to terrorize the Smurfs, although this smurf does sympathize with their feeling of not wanting him or his cat to be anywhere near them," Empath said. "Still, there were some who were willing to give Gargamel a chance to redeem himself, even if he never took the opportunity when it was given to him."

"This one will continue to ask the Great Ancestors for guidance and wisdom in your endeavors to rehabilitate your fellow Smurfs," Polaris said.

"That's all this smurf could really ask you for, which this smurf appreciates, Polaris," Empath said. - At the breakfast table, Empath sat down with Smurfette, Tapper, and Duncan McSmurf as they prepared to eat their breakfast together.

"So how smurfs your counseling sessions lately, my dear Empath?" Tapper asked.

"Well, this smurf does have an appointment with Anonymous scheduled for today, Tapper, so this smurf will see how it goes," Empath answered.

"Does Anonymous still feel like a Nobody Smurf, Empath?" Smurfette asked.

"This smurf fears that he does, Smurfette," Empath answered. "This smurf tries to help him see that there's nothing wrong with what he is, but he really feels like he wants to be a Somebody Smurf."

"And how do you plan on helping the laddie smurf that now, pray tell?" Duncan asked.

"This smurf isn't sure of exactly how, Duncan," Empath said. "We'll just have to see what he wants to do in order to overcome his situation and try to act accordingly."

"Maybe the others Smurfs can help be an inspiration to what he should smurf as far as being somebody other than an Anonymous," Smurfette suggested.

"That smurfs like a good place to start, my dear Smurfette," Tapper said. "What else are we going to smurf to help Anonymous become someone?"

"That sounds like a good idea worth trying," Empath said. "If Anonymous is willing to go along with that idea, this smurf knows of some Smurfs that could provide that needed inspiration."

"Here's smurfing for the best to the laddie, Empath," Duncan said, raising up his glass of smurfberry juice.

"I'll smurf to that," Tapper said, raising up his glass and clinking it with Duncan's before taking a sip. - After breakfast, Anonymous was going to the village well to draw some water out with a bucket, whistling the Smurf song as he was doing that. He pulled up the bucket that was in the well and filled his own bucket with the water, but he didn't go far with the bucket when he turned and walked straight into Clumsy, who was walking in the opposite direction. The bucket flew high into the air and then landed on Anonymous' head, dousing him in water.

"Oh, gosh, Nobody, I'm sorry," Clumsy said as he pulled the bucket off from Anonymous' head. "I guess that I just didn't see you."

"Well, that's me, a Nobody Smurf," Anonymous said. "I'm always getting overlooked because I don't have a name for myself."

"You getting overlooked?" Clumsy said. "Well, I'm always getting underfoot. Sometimes I just can't seem to smurf my right foot from my left."

"I would smurf anything to have your talent of clumsiness, Clumsy," Anonymous said.

"Gosh, you would?" Clumsy said, sounding very excited, although in his excitement he let go of the bucket he was holding and caused it to fall right onto Anonymous' foot, causing him a bit of pain.

"Oh, sure," Anonymous said as he soothed away the pain in his foot. "Every Smurf seems to smurf a name that fits them except me. But sometimes I feel like I just don't fit in."

"Well, maybe Empath can help you find the right name for you, Anonymous," Clumsy said. "I'm sure that he isn't going to fail you."

Just then, Empath showed up at the well. "Salutations, fellow Clumsy, and salutations, fellow Anonymous," Empath greeted. "So how are we doing today?"

"Oh, I'm doing fine, Empath," Anonymous said. "I was just talking to Clumsy about smurfing myself a new name."

"He's not going to remain a Nobody Smurf forever, Empath, is he?" Clumsy asked.

"This smurf believes that we can find something appropriate for Anonymous to be referred to as other than an Anonymous or a Nobody, Clumsy," Empath said. "Anyway, Anonymous, this smurf believes that our counseling session will require a new approach for you to undergo to achieve what you want."

"A new approach?" Anonymous said, sounding intrigued. "Oh, I could only wonder what that would be, Empath."

"Let's take ourselves a little walk around the village, Anonymous," Empath said. "This smurf will show you through some important examples."

Anonymous sighed. "Well, what have I got to lose? Smurf the way, Empath!"

To be expanded on.