It's The Real Thing

"It's The Real Thing" is a mini-story that is part of the EMPATH: The Luckiest Smurf story series.

The Story
Tapper had called Empath, Papa Smurf, and Duncan McSmurf into his tavern to show off something he had created. "Taste this seltzer and tell me what you smurf of it," Tapper said, as he offered each of the Smurfs a glass.

All three tasted the seltzer. "Hmmm, it's very interesting, Tapper," Papa Smurf said. "But what is it called?"

"Vino says that this is a syrup called cola, Papa Smurf," Tapper said. "It has a very distinct flavor from all the other seltzers that I have smurfed in this tavern."

"Aye, it's certainly different from the flavor of sarsaparilla ale, laddie," Duncan McSmurf said as he finished his glass.

"You're hoping that this flavor of syrup would catch on with the other Smurfs in the village, Tapper?" Empath asked.

"Well, at the very least Vino is hoping it would, my fellow Empath," Tapper said. "As for me, this is something that I haven't smurfed before, but who knows, with the Almighty willing, this might be something to serve to my fellow Smurfs besides the usual sarsaparilla ale, particularly to Hefty."

"This smurf understands Hefty's intolerance for fermented drinks, Tapper," Empath said. "This smurf just isn't sure whether he is willing to try out something like this."

"But does this even have a name yet, Tapper?" Duncan asked.

"I was just thinking of calling it Smurf Cola, that's all," Tapper said. "I may have Scribbler smurf me a logo to advertise the drink when it becomes popular enough, but right now it needs to be tested first."

"Well, I can only wish you the best of luck with this new-flavored seltzer of yours, Tapper," Papa Smurf said as the three Smurfs left the tavern. "Thank you for letting us try it out."

"You're welcome, Papa Smurf," Tapper said, as he took the empty glasses and watched the other Smurfs leave. - That night at the tavern, Empath and Smurfette watched as the Smurfs tried out the new flavor of seltzer that Tapper was offering, with Smurfette also trying it out for herself.

"You think this new Smurf Cola is going to smurf on with the other Smurfs, Empath?" Smurfette asked.

"Right now this smurf senses that none of the Smurfs present seem to have any complaints about the flavor, Smurfette," Empath said. "Why, what do you think of it?"

"Well, all I can say is that it's interesting, Empath," Smurfette said.

"But you'd prefer something with a bit more flavor to it, is that correct?" Empath guessed.

Smurfette nodded. "I guess I'm just not a big fan of this Smurf Cola, Empath. I'm not saying that it's bad or anything, but maybe Tapper or Vino can smurf something to the taste of the seltzer."

"Maybe when it becomes successful enough, Tapper might think of experimenting with other flavors to add to the seltzer, Smurfette," Empath said.

By the end of the night, after the tavern had closed, Empath, Smurfette, and Duncan McSmurf had gathered around Tapper. "So how did the testing of this new seltzer smurf for you, laddie?" Duncan asked.

"I had just run out of the cola syrup, my fellow Smurfs, because that's what I have been smurfing all night around here," Tapper said. "I haven't had a customer that even once asked for something else besides the cola."

"This smurf has sensed the feeling that every Smurf in the tavern either enjoyed it or at least found it interesting enough to ask for more glasses of it, Tapper," Empath said.

"So that means that you'll be smurfing this seltzer from now on, right, Tapper?" Smurfette asked.

"I won't stop serving the other flavors of seltzer, Smurfette, but I can't ignore the fact that my fellow Smurfs will want to smurf more of the Smurf Cola," Tapper said. "I might as well tell Scribbler to smurf me a logo for the product to advertise it as being smurfed in my tavern."

"Why just have it only smurfed in your tavern, Tapper?" Duncan suggested. "If Handy can smurf you a machine that would smurf this thing in bottles, then every Smurf would be smurfing this cola whenever they want to."

"Hmmm, a mass-produced Smurf Cola," Tapper said, thinking to himself. "You know, that wouldn't smurf like a bad idea at that."

"Do you think you can smurf other kinds of flavors into this cola, Tapper?" Smurfette asked.

"Other kinds of flavor?" Tapper said. "Well, I don't see why not, although I would like to smurf the original flavor be more successful first before trying others out."

Empath smiled. "It looks like this will be a really successful product, Tapper."