Michael Thumpings was always a bit different from his family. The only one who truly seemed to connect with him was his uncle, Max. However, given that he moved away with Marle to live far, far away, there was no one else who knew how to handle Michael when he acted up and began to lash out due to sensory overload. It was suggested by Jake that perhaps they occupy him with a hobby that doesn't involve interaction with others.
Convincing him to join the newly established 'Cub Scouts' in Talkar by the Mammal Parent Association (also newly established), was quite the ordeal. However, after talking it out with the Cub Leaders on how to potentially engage Michael, he immediately took to badge collecting. His favorite ones were where he had to interact with things that were living but not sentient. They fascinated him in ways he couldn't explain. Catching bugs and identifying them for his latest badge was one of the best joys he could remember in his young life.
