Long, long ago a stream cut through the earth, laying the foundation for life. Early life bloomed forth, beginning with the grass, then the trees, then the animals.  First it was the birds, then the squirrels that filled the trees along the water.  A time after that a beaver followed the current and built a dam, the stream was now a pond and animals that could live in the banks of the pond, rabbits, toads and other burrowing folk came to stay.  The mighty oaks towered, grew too big, crashed in storms and fell, next died.  Suddenly the death was life; when turtles, frogs and others claimed the space in the fallen logs, making it home.

       The stream became know as Wren Dale, in memory of the first birds to inhabit the area.  And it is here, generation after generation have lived and died, leaving a mark where we find the place called Wren Dale Way.  Here we find those that are courageous, strong, compassionate and tender.  Folk we call friends.

 Benny Cumberbunny and the Golden Rule

Knock knock.

    The sudden sharp noise made Benny jump, yanking his freshly knotted bow tie loose.

    Sighing, he turned and made his way to the door.

    “Are you ready?” The large face that greeted him through the door enquired.

    “Just about.”  He turned to the mirror, re-tied his bow tie and turned a critical eye to his countenance.  Deciding the the interruption had caused little damage, he turned on his intruder; the disturbance forgotten.

    “Let me grab my coat and we can go.”

    “Oh do!  I’ve been up for ages waiting.  I can’t stand it any longer!”

    Benny laughed, “Y’know Jackson, one would think you’re going to join the Flying Corps today.”

    “Oh well, it is exciting and, um, well...y’know...” Jackson trailed off, turning and gave his left hind leg a baleful glare.

    “Yes, yes, I know cousin, but is so jolly having you here, I often forget.”  Benny patted Jackson affectionately, but quickly, slightly embarrassed at the displayed emotion.

    Benny did love having his gregarious cousin around, but wasn’t much of a bunny to express his affections.

    Closing his door with a snap, turning the lock and depositing the key in the pocket of his vest, Benny led the way down to the lane.  The cousins made their way along the lane, through the little cluster of buildings that passed for their town and over to the bunch of trees where it seemed most of the area’s animals were gathering.  The closer they got, the louder the crowd noise became; mixed with random shouts of welcome and exclaim.

    “Hey Jackson, over here!” Sophia hopped and waved.  

    Jackson leaned and veered, winding through the clot of animals toward Sophia’s beaming face.  Benny followed behind and groaned inwardly when he saw the twins, Carol and Carlton on the other side of Sophia.

    “HELLO BENNY!” Carol gushed, eyes blinking furiously behind her glasses.

    “Hmmm, morning Carol...and everyone...” Benny murmured and scanned the crowd for a distraction or excuse to avoid further conversation.

    But though she was a bit shy with Benny, Carol wasn’t going to let an opportunity to be near him escape her. Practically rushing at him, she breathlessly said, “Oooo, so exciting, isn’t it?  This year’s squirrels are ready try for the Flying Corps!”

    “Um, yes.”  Benny tried to step back to avoid what seemed an inevitable collision with Carol and in doing so tripped over a rock.  Seeing his teetering, Carol reached out and not actually being big enough to stop Benny’s fall only succeeded in forcing herself to fall on top of him.

    “Blast!”  Benny exclaimed, scrambling up and ruefully tugging his vest down.

    “Here Carol,” Jackson held out a paw to assist Carol to her feet.  “No harm done here!”  He declared as Carol dusted herself off.

    “That’s what you say,” Benny muttered, glaring at the grass stain that didn’t seem to be coming out of his jacket sleeve.

    “I’m terribly sorry,” Carol said looking crestfallen at the outcome of her excitement to be near Benny.

    Looking up from his sleeve and seeing Jackson’s slight shake of his head and Carol’s clearly dejected frown, Benny replied, “ Well, yes...um...I’m sure it will come out.”  And he sighed and shrugged, he was sure it wouldn’t, but decided the damage to his coat was enough.  No need to make Carol feel worse.

    “Oh Yes!” Carol’s face brightened. “Please let me help.  I’m sure I can clean it.”

    About to shrink back from Carol again, Benny caught Jackson’s expression again, sighed and held still as Carol plucked at the stains, appraising them.

    “Yes, yes, I can get these out. Bring it by later and I’ll work on it.”  And with the slight bob of his head in acknowledgement, Carol felt encouraged enough to slip her paw through his arm and stood there beaming.

    Horrified at being linked so closely, Benny stood stock still, not even twitching his ears as the crowd continued to gather and press in around the base of the Oak tree.

    All the while that this had been going on, Carlton had been chatting with various other animals as they had gathered.  He turned to see the very stiff Benny and beaming Carol and decided to take pity on Benny.  “Come Carol, I think they’re about to start and we should see better over here.”  Gently tugging Carol’s arm and with a wink at Benny he got Carol to follow him a little way away.

    “Do remember to bring me your jacket!” Carol called back over her shoulder.

    The crowd was getting bigger and bigger.  Benny couldn’t remember a crowd this big before.  Looking about and beginning to wonder if the entire meadow, forest, and pond animal folk were all gathered, a giant voice boomed,

    “Welcome!”

    Cheers rang out in response.

    “Welcome all folk to the 23rd Annual Flying Corps tryouts!”  More cheers rang out drowning out the next words. “...all might be aware of our new gymnastics teacher last Spring and the little excitement we had with the class.”

    Murmurs rippled across the gathering.  Benny’s sensitive ears twitched at the buzz and caught a voice. “Oh yes, it was so nerve wracking this year!”  A lady said.  “I heard from friends of mine that live near the trees.”

    Benny leaned a bit towards the voice to pick up the rest of the comments, but at that moment the announcer resumed his speech.

    “...so it is all sorted and we have a fine crop of candidates this year eager to show you their stuff and earn that special spot on the Flying Corps!”

    And with that the competition began.

------------------

    “Whew!  I wasn’t sure that lil’un was goin’ to make it!”

    “Oh, I know!  What about the second candidate?”  

    Another voice chimed in,  “He took ever so long to start I thought they were going to disqualify him for sure!”

    Conversations swelled through the crowd as it dispersed.  Everyone was sharing their takes on the abilities of the candidates, re-living the excitement and drama.

    “Well Benny ready to head home and change jackets so you can give that one to Carol?”  Jackson asked as they followed the others, making their way back down the lane.

    Benny stopped and almost got trampled by a little rabbit chattering excitedly, bouncing up and down and dragging his mother as she tried to slow him down.

    “Do I really have to give it to her?” asked Benny looking a bit pensive.

    “You said you would and besides what harm could it do?  She wants to make up for knocking you about.”

    “How about she just leave me be?”  Benny muttered as he made his way home.  His mood growing ever darker , Benny barely returned Jackson’s comment at his door.

    Muttering to himself, Benny took his jacket off and went to his wardrobe to select another.  Each one of his jackets hung neatly, lined up, and sorted by color.  Instead of the usual satisfaction Benny felt cross.  The empty hanger that the stained jacket normally hung on seemed to rub the irritation further into his brain.

    Closing the door with a snap, Benny decided there was no reason to subject his garments to more abuse.  Taking the the stained jacket, he went to the sink and proceeded to treat the fabric and work the stain from the sleeves.

    “Whatcha doin there? Jackson’s sudden appearance caused Benny to squeeze the brush, forcing it to slip out of his paws and bounce around back and forth between them until he caught it firmly.  Ignoring the question, Benny set back to gently brushing the stain from his jacket.

    “You really have no heart?  Or is this just a momentary lapse into selfishness?  Jackson pressed.

    Benny muttered under his breath and leaned in closer at the stain.

    “Are you trying to clean your jacket or your conscience?”  Jackson asked.  “I find it hard to believe that even you could be this clueless about what you are doin’.”

    Benny just continued to scrub.

    “Fine, but I hope you are prepared for what happens.”

    Slamming the brush down, Benny snapped, “I AM CLEANING MY COAT!”

    But the only response from Jackson was the faint click of the front door latch.

---------------------------------

    Since Benny was a methodical and habitual being, the day after the Flying Corp tryout was Tuesday and for Benny, Tuesdays were shopping days.  Though he still felt like wanted to stay as far away from everyone as possible, he donned on his freshly cleaned jacket and picked up his Market basket.

    Just as he rounded the first corner and approached the edge of the village shops, Benny’s sensitive ears picked up a familiar bark of laugher.  Surely not? he thought to himself.  Soon his worse fear was realize as he caught sight of the twins between stalls, chatting animatedly with XXX XXXX.  Looking left and right for a possible escape, Benny only found a store for children’s clothes and and one for balloons, neither which would provide him with easy egress.  Sighing, and gripping the handle of his basket tightly, Benny forged ahead, hoping that by dashing past, he would make it along to the Grocer’s.

    Head down and moving around other shoppers to keep himself out of the Twins’ view, he felt victory was his, when he heard his name, “Benny!” Carol called.  “I thought you were going to bring your jacket by.”

    The twins approached and stood on either side, Carlton with an easy friendly smile and Carol with her usual gushing gaze of adoration.  Her beaming smile, however, faltered as she caught a better look at the jacket Benny was wearing.  Everyone knew Benny’s jackets, each a distinctive color and pattern, there were no two alike.

    “Is that the jacket you wore yesterday?”  She queried, her once ecstatic expression dissolving into one of confusion then pain.

    Benny looked down, then right, left then up at Carlton, as if searching for the answer.  “Um...yes,” he finally answered after a long pause.

    Carol reached out and plucked the sleeves where the stains had been, almost as if they were still visible.  “But they’re gone...you...cleaned...it...yourself?”  Her face was now set in a mask of disappointment and sadness.  She looked to Carlton, like Benny had, imploring for an answer he couldn’t give.  

    “You were supposed to bring it by.  You promised, you said accepted my apology, you...”  she trailed off, paw to her mouth as if stifling a cry and turned away from the two guys.

    “Hey Carol,” Carlton reached out to pull her back.  “I’m sure he has a reason.”  Turning to Benny, “Right, Benny?”  Carlton’s usually easy going expression was now staring to look a bit fierce.

    Startled that this was going worse than he had imagined, even after Jackson’s warning, Benny just stood there, basket hanging loosely from his paw.   He looked back and forth from Carlton and Carol as Carlton patted and murmured to Carol, not really understanding the scene.

    Just at that moment, Nelly Shellspot came up to the trio and oblivious to the atmosphere started chatting with Carol about some new ribbons at the stall near where they were standing.  Much to Benny’s relief, Carol seemed to come out of her funk and smiled and responded to her friend and they drifted off down towards the Ribbon stall.  Thinking the unpleasantness was over and the issue of who cleaned his jacket at an end, Benny started to continue his task.  He looked to give Carlton a nod goodbye, but was stopped in his tracks.

    Carlton, grabbed Benny’s arm and pulled him toward an alley, out of the main path.  “Look, I know my sister has this fondness for you that you don’t return or like, and honestly I don’t understand.  But even someone as witless as you can find some compassion and be NICE!”  This last word was almost barked between clenched teeth.  Carlton was clearly trying to follow his own advice and be nice to Benny when he did not want to.

    “I, I ,I, I don’t understand,” Benny stammered.  “I just wanted my jacket to be perfect again and your sister had already done damage, I didn’t want her to ruin it.”

    “Why didn’t you trust her to clean it?”

    “Well...” Benny wasn’t sure how to say what he was thinking.  Carol was so clumsy and boisterous, how could someone like that handle such a delicate job of lifting stains without damaging the jacket fabric?

    “Yes?”  Carlton was not going to let this go.

    Taking a deep breath “She’s so clumsy and rough, I just knew she’d ruin it!”  The words rushed out in the exhale all pressed together.

    Carlton was shocked, “Clumsy?”  Carol wasn’t really clumsy and since she had taken over the household chores when their Mum passed away, regularly cleaned, polished and took care of everything they needed.  Benny really didn’t know anything about her, after all these years.

    “She isn’t clumsy, Benny.  Carol just gets really flustered around you.”  Carlton sighed and turned to leave. 

    “But she’s always so loud, and jumpy and bumpy, and...” Benny trailed off when Carlton turned back.

    “Look you fastidious dolt, would have it been so hard to put her before your stupid jacket?  To care about a living thing, more than some possession?  It shouldn’t matter that she wouldn’t have ruined your precious jacket, she’s quite good at laundering.  It should have mattered that she was really upset about the whole embarrassing moment and wanted to know you forgave her and would still like her, be her friend.”

    Benny had no reply, not really sure how he had gotten to this point.

    Carlton continued, “But you’re not her friend are you, you don’t like her.  You don’t care about anyone, but your precious clothes!”  And with his anger building again, Carlton stormed off before he planted a paw in Benny’s smug face.

    Benny’s face wasn’t really smug, at least not to him, his expression at that moment was the one he put out there when he was truly puzzled and was unsure how to proceed.  He gazed out as if looking for the answer in the distance.

    Since the answer didn’t seem to be appearing soon, he gathered up his basket and headed back into the crowd of shoppers.  The bright sunny day belied the turmoil that was churning inside of him.  Was he wrong for choosing his jacket over Carol’s feelings?  It was a VERY good jacket, one of his favorites, which is why he chose to wear it for such a special day.  Should he have let her fix it?  Was it such a big deal if she damaged it, though according to Carlton there was little chance of that happening?  These and other thought swirled in his brain as he made his way down toward the Grocers.  Everyone he met seemed to greet him as they always did, so maybe Carol was just over-reacting.  He wasn’t the baddie she was making him feel.  But doubt kept creeping in, just maybe Carlton had a point.  Yes, Carlton loved his sister, but Benny always admired his even temperament and calm demeanor.  Everyone recognized Carlton’s easy ways, he was always called to settle disputes and mediate disagreements, all recognizing that Carlton could understand both sides and see the right outcome.  This character, this impartiality, was what was really getting to Benny.  There was nothing for Carlton to gain if Benny were to change his ways, to decide that he was wrong in going back on his word and cleaning the sleeves instead of taking them to Carol.  Was it really important to let someone correct a mistake?  Was it really a big deal to choose the value of a favorite item over another’s feelings?

    All this thinking was giving Benny a headache and he just wished to get his carrots and other food for the week and head back home to the calm and quiet peace of his home.  Peace seem far though as he went through the door of the Grocer and immediately beheld both Carlton and Carol in the shop gathering goods and settling their bill.  Smiling wanly in their direction, Benny pushed his way into the shop and made his way down the isle picking up various fruits and veggies he might need.

    Once he had gone over the whole shop and made his selections, he took up position in line and waited as each before him settled their business.  Things seemed to go slower than usual and Benny could almost swear others were talking about him.  He’d caught some murmurs behind paws and furtive glances whenever he caught another’s eye.  It didn’t help that Carol and Carlton didn’t seem ready to leave the shop but hang around visiting with others.  And it seemed so hot and stuffy, Benny pulled at his bow tie, wishing the line would move faster, or Carol would leave or that he had just stayed home.

    Lily the grocer greeted Benny and others milled about chatting, smiling and going about as if nothing was unusual.  But Benny just couldn’t shake the unease and things got even worse when Lily saw his basket as he set it on the counter.

    “Did you bring that in?” Lily asked.

    “No, it is what I’m picking up.”

    “Did you not get my message?”
    Panic now gripped Benny, “Message?  When?  What was it?”

    “Oh Benny! I am so sorry” Lily’s voiced dropped and she glanced around at the crowd in the shop.  “I sent you a message about your plot.”

    “My plot, what is wrong with my plot?”

    Again Lily looked around clearly trying to keep the conversation private for Benny’s sake, but knew she couldn’t really with so many hanging around and all starting  to show interest in her comments.  Making a decision she said, “Here step aside and I’ll get these others taken care of and then we’ll talk.”

    Benny moved aside as if in a fog.  Normally he would’ve demanded that she explain herself, but since he was already off balance from the ordeal with Carol and Carlton, he meekly followed Lily’s direction and went to stand along the side of the counter in a corner made by the barrels of flour.  He stood among the barrels watching others go about their shopping and making careful effort not to catch Carol’s or Carlton’s eyes as they mingled among the shoppers.

    After what seemed an eternity, the shop emptied of shoppers, those that remained were off in the back talking quietly, giving Lily the privacy she wanted to explain things to Benny.

    Motioning Benny to join her, Lily began her explanation, “I don’t know what happened, but when I went to check your plots, most of the plants were wilted or dead.”

    The enormity of her statement didn’t sink in at once.  “Wilted?” Benny repeated.

    Lily went to pat him on the back, but remembered who he was.  “Yes, others had some damage, but yours were the only ones that were a complete loss.”  Lily added, “I’m sorry,” and then moved on to help someone that had come in.

    Benny couldn’t believe it, loss, everything ruined.  What would he do?  What would he eat?  It was early enough in the season, he might re-plant and get a crop before frost, but what would he do until then?  How would he get seed for planting?  He was sure he planted everything this Spring, though his Dad had always told him to hold a portion of seed aside.  Benny had disregarded this advice, he was sure the summer would be mild and Benny wanted extra so he could sell the excess to purchase a new jacket he had his eye on.  What now?  Maybe Jackson could loan him some seed and would have enough to share for Benny’s meals until the crop came in.  Benny couldn’t think, the heat and the buzzing in his ears was making it impossible to think.  Unable to deal with all that had happened he darted for the door and sped as fast as he could home.

----------------

    Morning light filtered through the curtain, lighting dust motes as the floated about in the air.  Benny sat at the table, head in paws, staring into the distance, barely awake after a long night of little sleep.  He had come home yesterday and in a rush rummaged through all his cupboards and bins, taking count of the food he had on hand.  He also turned over all the contents of his gardening trunk, hoping beyond hope that he would come across a packet of seeds, any seeds would do, something he could grow and sell if it wasn’t something he could eat this winter.  But alas, no matter how many times he went over the contents he couldn’t turn up a a packet of seeds.  What he did turn up was what amounted to a handful collected from the corners of the trunk.  Benny wasn’t sure how old these scraps were or what they were let alone if they would even germinate.  After gathering what he had found and tools to work his plots, he headed out to assess the damage.  Honestly he didn’t really believe it was that bad until he saw the plants for himself.  Lily hadn’t exaggerated.  Most of his crops were dead, a few still standing weren’t going to make it and though others also had damage, his was by far, the worst.  Benny spent the rest of the day until dark, clearing the old plants, re-tiling the soil and preparing it, then planting what little seed he had gathered.  Old XXX had been at the plots and lent Benny a small amount of seed he could spare, but it still didn’t amount to enough for Benny to survive on.

    Benny sighed and wondered if he should go down to the plots again.  It wasn’t as if he could really do much now, it was really up to the seeds he had planted, but he really didn’t know what else to do.  He had tidied his house after the rummaging.  He couldn’t go to Market and the thought of being around others just seemed appalling.  He really only had one hobby, his jackets.  Brushing out his jackets held little joy at this time.  Especially when it seemed his love of his jackets had gotten him into more than one mess lately.  Benny sighed again, “Oh dear...” he muttered into the table top.

    A knock at the door stirred Benny from the table and he opened it to find Jackson on the stoop.

    “How ya doin?”  Jackson peered at Benny with concern.  Benny turned to lead him to the house and just sighed in response.

    “Now, now, it isn’t hopeless, we’ll think of something.”

    Benny plopped into the chair he had been in earlier, “I’ve spend the whole morning AND most of the night,” Benny added with a gesture.  “Thinking is all I have at this point!”

    Jackson was alarmed, he had never seen his cousin this dejected.  Benny was someone that always seemed to take things as they were and keep plugging along, no matter what.

    “Don’t lose hope.  We haven’t heard from my mum yet.  Maybe she didn’t need all I sent her and has enough for her needs as well as enough to let you borrow,”  Jackson tried cheering Benny.

    But Benny just sighed and shook his head.  “No, no, your mum has too many depending on her to give me charity.  I know she needs what you send to make it work for everyone.”

    Jackson knew he was right, but ever the optimist, he wasn’t ready to give up hope.  Looking around, he thought Benny just needed to get his mind off things.  But the more he looked around the sparse dwelling, he realized Benny didn’t have or do much.  He got up and wandered over to a long cupboard in the corner.  Sure enough, there were books and a stack of games.  Jackson remembered from their childhood how much Benny like to play board games, cards and other thinking games.

    “How about a game?” Jackson held out a deck of cards in one paw and a box of dominos in the other.

    Benny looked up from the table, sighed and laid his head back down.

    “Now, now, don’t be like that.” Jackson turned back into the cupboard and pulled out another box.  “Ahhh, here we go.”  Setting the box on the table and pulling up a chair, he began setting the game up.

    “I never knew you to turn down a chance to beat me at checkers.”

    Benny’s ears twitched.  

    Jackson took two pieces and hid one in each paw, “Pick.”

    Benny’s head lolled on the table and without really looking, reached up and tapped Jackson’s left paw.

    “Black, right,” Jackson set the piece on the board closest to Benny and resumed setting the other pieces out.  With each click of the pieces finding their places on the board, Benny’s ears twitched and as the last piece clicked into place, he suddenly sat up.

    “Oh, all right,” he sighed as Jackson made the first move.

----------------------

    “Ha!” the sound came out of Benny in spite of himself.  He looked at Jackson sheepishly.

    “I knew you couldn’t resist.”

    “Well, we’ve played 12 games, and I just beat you for the seventh time!”

    “Yeah, but I made you work for it that last game.”

    Benny smiled, “Yes, I had to chase you down!”  Jackson laughed as they put the pieces away.  Suddenly, the smile left Benny’s face.

    He looked hard at Jackson and said, “I’ve made a mess of it, haven’t I?”

    Jackson paused his movement and studied Benny.  Then he shrugged and got up to put the box back in the cupboard.

    Glumly, Benny got up to get his supper ready.  “I would ask you to stay, but I’m kinda eating light lately.”

    “Oh, no, you’re eating with me tonight!”  Jackson smiled broadly.

    “Really, that isn’t necessary,” Benny protested, shaking his head.

    “No, not necessary, but I WANT to.”  Jackson said and went over to his cousin.  Standing there awkwardly, Jackson thumped Benny on the back and then hobbled over to the door.  “Get yourself cleaned up and head over in a bit.  I’ll have it ready.”  And with that went out and left Benny standing, unsure of the relief he felt.

    “Well, this is new,” Benny said to the air as he went about his grooming.  The unease was almost unbearable. He wasn’t used to others helping him and now this sense of being obligated, indebted was overwhelming.  He really shouldn’t feel this way, this was Jackson after-all, a cousin he had practically grown up with.  But still, he had prided himself on being independent, doing for himself and not relying on anyone.

    Benny opened his wardrobe and surveyed the tidy row of colorful jackets.  There was no joy in the perusal.  No excitement in choosing which he would don.  How silly he has been!  They’re just clothes.  Why had he always made such an ordeal of dressing?  

    Frustrated, he closed his eyes, reached in, wrenched a jacket from its hanger and slammed the door.  Without looking in the mirror, he shrugged his way into his jacket, grabbed his house key and headed to the door.  Taking a deep breath, Benny opened the door, went through, locked it and holding his head high, headed out towards Jackson’s house.

---------

    The days went by slowly, Benny spent the time keeping his home tidy and drafting a list of various things he might do while he waited for the seeds to sprout.  Evenings he spent with Jackson, playing games and sharing what food they had.  Benny went out of his way to avoid everyone, keeping to the meadow and lesser used trails.  He hadn’t been back to the plots, knowing that he could do little and watching the dirt was like waiting for a kettle to boil.  Nothing was going to happen while you watched.

    About 3 weeks into this new routine, Benny awoke one morning and just could not stand it any longer.  He knew Jackson couldn’t keep hosting him indefinitely, no matter how much Benny helped him around his little place.  The fact was Benny needed seeds and he needed them soon.  So he gathered up his gardening tools and headed to the plots.  He was just going to have to barter somehow.  The only thing he had to exchange was his quick wit and willingness to help out.  Surely someone could work something out with him.

    Trails that led to the plots were well traveled and today many were out and about, tending the plants, harvesting early crops, or just visiting and catching up on the latest news.  Those that Benny came across as he made his way to the area where his plots were, greeted him warmly and with each passing “How ya do?” Benny grew more confident that he could overcome his past mistakes and make a new start.  The town didn’t seem to be ready to throw him out at first sight, he thought to himself wryly.

    Benny was so caught up in this thought that at first he looked about and thought he had made a wrong turn somewhere.  The plots he was looking at were covered in row upon row of bright green seedlings.  He could see that some of the rows were different than others, but they were all new plants rising up to meet the sun.  This wasn’t his area, he knew Ol XXX hadn’t given him that much seed.  In fact he would swear, he hadn’t planted more than 3 rows, probably prepared 5, just to be hopeful.  But no, there was the stump off to the side, his initials carved right there, marking this as his.  Where did all these plants come from?  He walked to the stump, dropped his bundle and slumped down in disbelief.  He rubbed his eyes and looked around.  Nothing looked different, but he did notice some looking over toward him with kind smiles.  Benny smiled back tentatively, not fully comprehending.

    Afraid that he was really dreaming and that he would soon wake up to an empty plot again, Benny sat and basked in the sun, keeping an eye on the plants.  He had been sitting there awhile when Jackson arrived.  He could tell his friendly cousin had arrived way before he saw him, everyone greeted him with loud, happy voices.  And it suddenly hit Benny as to the answer to the mystery of the plants.  Jackson must have used his influence and gotten the seed.

    “Hey Benny!”  Jackson hobbled up to the stump.  “How ya...”  Jackson trailed off as he caught sight of the plots and understanding sunk in.  “Where did all these plants come from?” he asked.

    Benny stood, “You mean, you didn’t do it?”

    “What with this bum leg?” Jackson asked as he eased down to a log next to stump Benny had been sitting on.

    Of course, Benny had forgotten about Jackson’s leg.  He always did, to him his cousin was larger than life and capable of anything.  Almost identical frowns settled over both their faces as they stared out over the area.  Each looked down, around, back at each other, then back at the seedlings.  Neither came up with an answer.

    “Afternoon, gentlemen.”

    Benny jumped at Carol’s voice.  Unable to look at her, he mumbled “Hello.” to the ground.

    “Hello, Carol,” Jackson said, standing.  “How are you today?”

    “I’m fine, Jackson and you?”

    Benny continued to stand and stare at his feet while Jackson and Carol chatted back and forth.  Occasionally he tried to sneak a look over, but worry kept him from succeeding.

    “So, Benny, sorry about your plants.”

    Forced now to reply, Benny looked at Carol quickly and said “Thanks.”

    “You heard about that huh?” Jackson asked her.

    “Yes, I was in the Grocer’s and it was hard not to hear.  Carlton and I came out here afterward and saw for ourselves how bad it was.”

    “Huh,” Jackson grunted.  “Interesting.”  Then suddenly he turned, patted Benny on the back and started off.  “Nice talking to you Carol, see ya later Benny.”  Jackson made his way off down to the paths, stopping to chat with others as they hailed him.

    Benny startled at his sudden departure, stood and finally faced Carol.

    “Your plants look good now.”
    Benny looked over at them, “Yes, they should make a good crop before frost.  Probably need to thin the radishes and carrots next week or so...” he trailed off as his gaze returned to Carol.  He looked at her, the sun glinting off her glasses, the calm smile on her face.  Today she wore a red ribbon around her ears.  Has she always worn a ribbon? Benny wondered, and then wondered why he wondered.  Then he jumped when her realized she had been speaking to him. “Huh, what?”

    “I’m glad it will work out for you.”

    “Yes, I’m...” Benny trailed off as a thought hit him.  “Uh, Carol...”

    “Yes?”
    “I didn’t do this.  I mean, I need to find out who did it.”

    “Why?”

    “Well, I want, no...I need to thank them.  Pay them back somehow.”

    “What if they don’t want you to?”
    Benny was puzzled, “What do you mean?”

    Carol smiled, “What if they don’t want you to thank them or pay them back.”

    “Why wouldn’t they?”

    “What if they just wanted to help you.”

    “But WHY?  What’s the point of helping someone, if you don’t let them know?”

    “There’s Carlton, looks like he’s ready to head home.” Carol moved off, “Bye Benny.”

    Thinking that his life couldn’t be anymore confusing, Benny picked up his gardening pack and headed down the paths to Jackson’s to discuss this latest development.  Since everyone seemed to not know or care about his latest mistakes, he took the main paths and was at Jackson’s house shortly.

    He knocked on the door and Jackson called out for him to come in.

    “I don’t get it.”  Benny started right to the point.

    “What?”

    “Why would someone do something for somebody else, but not want the other to know?”

    Jackson glanced at Benny and then resumed to the task Benny had interrupted.  “You can’t think of any reasons?” He asked.

    Benny pulled out a chair at the table, sat, and squinted in thought.  

    “No I can’t,” he said after a few moments.  “I guess I don’t really understand the idea.  I mean, when I help someone, it is right there and they know it.”

    “So you’ve never helped someone when they weren’t around?”

    Benny scratched his ear, “Well, if I did, it was something they asked me to do, y’know like you are now.  Something I did and then returned it or whatever.”

    “Umhmm,”  Jackson continued working.

    Benny sat and watched Jackson for a moment, thinking.  Was it just the turn of events this last month that had him questioning everything, or was there something to what Carol said.  And then it hit him.

    “Jackson,” Benny said.  “Carol was very strange today.”

    “How?”

    “Well, not strange, but definitely different.”  Benny thought some more, “Y’know, she wasn’t very jumpy or loud.  Like I’ve known her to be.”

    “You did hurt her feelings pretty bad.”

    “Oh, you heard about that?”  Benny asked, squirming with discomfort at the memory.

    “I think everyone heard, actually.”

    Horror struck Benny at the thought that everyone knew.  “So everyone knows how silly I’ve been this month and about the plants.  How am I going to figure out who helped me with the plants?  I cannot think of who would’ve helped me.  Surely with me being such an idiot, if they were to help me, they would make a big deal of it.  Really rub my nose in my mess.”

    “That is the way YOU would’ve been, Benny.  Not everyone would’ve have gone out of their way to pick at another during another’s duress.”

    “Uh...but...no...I didn’t mean to hurt anyone...”

    Jackson interrupted, “But you would have thought less of them for their mistake and therefore, you were superior and even though you helped them, it wouldn’t be out of kindness.”

    Though Benny’s face was covered in fur, a discernible shade of pink arose at Jackson’s words and he sat speechless.

    “Now, don’t get all shut on me boy,” Jackson teased Benny.  “I’m not saying all this to make you feel bad, but I did try to get you to think about what you were doing from Carol’s point of view.  Because you don’t ever really seem to stop and think what is going on with the other fellow before you jump to conclusion and judgement.”

    “Is that what you do?”

    “I don’t know if it is  and if I manage all the time,” Jackson sat back in thought.  “But when I see someone that is obviously not having a good day, I don’t automatically assume it was their fault or that they deserve it.”

    “Hmm, well, I guess I do kind of think if everyone was smarter, they wouldn’t have such troubles.”

    “Yes, that’s it.  And you might be right, we all tend to be our own worst enemies, but then again, things do happen to the best of us, despite how careful we are.  Did you intend to lose your crops?”  Benny shook his head.  “There, see.  And even though it probably wasn’t the smartest thing planting all your seed and not holding on to some, did anyone come out and say what an idiot you had been?”

    “No, can’t say.  I did spend a lot of time avoiding everyone.”

    Jackson, frowned.

    Benny sensing the reason, changed his words, “No, actually Lily was quite kind about it.  And those I have talked to lately, just treated me like they always did.”  With further thought, Benny added, “Though there were a lot more smiles at the plots today.  I guess everyone knew what happened and that the plants had been done over.”

    “Hey!  Does that mean EVERYONE helped?”

    Jackson shrugged, “Dunno, don’t think so.  Other wise I would have heard about it.  I was just as surprised as you when I came by.  I had expected to spend the day asking around for spare seed and getting it planted.”

    “Well that was nice.  I appreciate it.”

    “Yeah, I wasn’t sure you would even try to ask for help or you that would get very far, if you did.”

    “Wow, am I not liked that much?”
    “It isn’t that.  More like you rub folk the wrong way and you are so closed off most of the time around others.  You don’t exactly go out of your way to talk to others or get to know them or let them know you.”

    “No I guess not.  Anyway, can we change the subject and think about something else, like who did it?”

    “You aren’t going to leave it alone, are you.  Even though they probably don’t want you to know.”

    Benny sighed, “No, I have to figure it out!”

    “You never could leave a puzzle alone, could you.”  Jackson shook his head.  “Let me finish this up, then we’ll deliver it and see if we can do some sluethin.”

    “Thanks Jackson.”
    “Hhmm.”

    Jackson finished his task, packed all the tools away, tidied the table and packaged the item to carry.

    “Ok, let’s go.”

    The pair headed out into the lane and headed toward Norbert’s Corner.  After dropping off the repair work, they headed back, passing through the plots at the edge of the South Meadow.  Seeing the new plants once again, made Benny more resolved than he had been earlier that he needed to discover his rescuer.  Jackson knew what he was thinking by the determined way he strode down the lane, leaving Jackson further behind.

    Head down, ears flattened and deep in thought over the possibilities of who it might be, Benny rounded the clump of bushes at full speed and careened right into Carol.

    “Ooof!”  Down the pair went, packages flying.

    “Oh my goodness!”  Carol straightened her glasses and then seeing it was Benny, tried to get to back to her feet more gracefully than she fell.

    “Here, let me help,” Benny grabbed both her paws and pulled her up, then started to gather the strewn packages.  He stacked them neatly together, dusting the dirt and grass from them and re-folding the few that were starting to come apart.

    “Hey, that’s ok, just hand them over,” Carol protested.

    “No, no, let me make sure no harm is done, since it was my fault.”  Benny continued to fuss about the packages and didn’t notice that at his words, Carol had started and was now staring wide eyed at him.

    She was still standing that way when Jackson finally caught up to them.

    “Whew, boy,” he gasped. “You need to slow down!  It isn’t a race!”  He stopped and took a handkerchief out of his pocket to mop his brow.  As he returned it, he noticed Carol and took in the scene of neatly stacked packages and Benny dusting everything off.

    “Can I help?”  Jackson looked back and forth.

    His question seemed to snap Carol out of her trance, “No, its fine.”  Then she thought a minute, “Unless you can make him stop.”

    At that, Benny stopped and looked over at Carol confused.  “I’m just trying to correct my mistake.”

    Carol approached him and laid a paw on his arm, “They’re fine, Benny really.”  Then she looked down and noticed a stain on the jacket sleeve.  Blushing, she removed her paw and turned to Jackson.  “Actually, could you hand those over, please?”
    “Hey Carol, why don’t you just let us help you carry them?” Benny asked.

    Carol glanced at Jackson’s lame leg, “No that’s fine, you’ve helped enough, really.”

    “If we each carry some, it will be no trouble.” Jackson assured her and while Benny was bent over the pile, gave her a wink.

    Startled and not sure what he meant, Carol decided it would be just easier to let them help her.  So after distributing the load fairly, they set out down the lane toward Carol and Carlton’s burrow.

    At the click of the gate as Carol closed it behind them, Carlton came out the front door.  Seeing Jackson, he let out a hearty “Hey there,” took some packages and shook his paw.  It was at the moment he was going to speak to Carol that he noticed Benny kind of lurking behind.

    “Hello, Benny,” Carlton said slowly, through his teeth, trying to smile.

    “Hey, Carlton,” Benny responded quietly, smiling uncertainly, not sure just how welcome he was going to be.

    Carlton raised a questioning eyebrow to Carol who just shrugged and continued to the door.  “Here, just hand them through the door and I’ll set them inside.”  The guys did as she bade and Carlton took the last ones from Benny before following Carol inside.  Benny and Jackson were about turn and leave,  when Carol returned to the front garden carrying a tray with glasses, pitcher, plates, napkins, and a platter of nibbles.

    “Let’s sit over here under the tree,” She led them to an area populated with tables and chairs.  She set down the tray and gestured for them to sit.  Completely surprised by this, Benny sat quickly before she could change her mind.  Jackson took longer, finding a chair more suited to the comfort of his leg.

    Easing into his chosen spot, he sighed, “Ahh, now that’s nice.” And after accepting a glass and plate, took a sip, then leaned back with his eyes closed.

    “Are you ok?  I knew that would be too much for you,” Carol queried, concern crossing her brow.

    Jackson opened one eye, “Nah, I’m fine, just enjoying myself.”

    Benny snickered, more from nervousness than humor.  Carol looked down on him as she handed him a glass and plate.  Benny blushed and murmured, “Thank you.” and quickly took a sip, which went down wrong and sent him coughing.  Jackson sat up, looked him over and asked, “Y’alright?”

    Benny nodded, still coughing, then finally choked out a “Mm, fine,” in a harsh whisper.

    Carlton, who had approached un noticed, smacked Benny a couple times on the back, startling him so bad, he nearly leaped over the next chair.

    “Hey!” he exclaimed and then doubled up in another coughing fit.  After a couple of more coughs, he returned to his chair and cast a weary eye towards Carlton.  Who had, while Benny choked, helped himself to plate of goodies, glass of lemonade, and had taken a chair next to Jackson, across from Benny.  Settling back, he proceeded to eat as if there was nothing out of the ordinary.

    Carol, smoothed her skirt, noticing a tear and a bit of dirt that wouldn’t brush off.  Benny watched in silence, not daring to risk a drink for fear of another choking fit.  Jackson continued to lean back appearing to be asleep, but in reality was watching Benny out of the corner of his eye.  Carlton finished his snack, stood, brushing the crumbs from his front.  As if appearing to make a decision, he called to Jackson, “Hey want to come out to the workshop and see that piece I told you about?”

    “Sure!” Jackson stood up, placed his glass and cup back on the tray and turning to Carol, “Thanks for the tasty treat and comfy seat.”  Then leaning in close he sad under his breath so only she could hear, “Go easy on him, I think he’s finally growing up.” And with that he stood up, winked at her, and followed Carlton down the path around the burrow.

    “Remember that project Mr. Mossback had for us last year?”  Carlton’s voice faded as they disappeared from sight.

    Carol avoided Benny’s eye as she tidied the tray, pushing items back and forth.  Thinking he might chance a sip, Benny carefully drank his lemonade and when it seemed safe, finished eating everything on his plate.  The entire time he was eating he sat silently, staring at a patch of ground between himself and Carol.  When he had finished, he folded the napkin and placed it on the plate, rose and went over to put the dishes on the tray.  

    “Thank you Carol. I suppose Jackson is going to be awhile, so I guess I’ll be going.”  Benny turned and made for the gate.

     “Would you like me to clean the stain off your jacket?”  Carol asked suddenly.

    Benny turned and looked at Carol as she looked down at her lap.  “I beg your pardon?” He asked.

    She looked up slowly, “Its just that you are here and well...”
    Benny looked down at his sleeves, found the stain and then looked back at Carol.  “Yes, please.”

     Carol held out her paw as Benny removed his jacket and handed it over to her.  She went into the house and Benny stood there not sure what to do with himself.  Not really sure of anything any more, he sat.  Leaning back, he looked up into the tree and wondered why Carol was still nice to him.  The breeze drifted through the branches, shifting the sunlight as it shone down.  Benny jumped back upright when a spear of sun suddenly pierced the canopy and blinded him.  Blinking rapidly, eyes watering, he tried to clear his eyesight.  He sensed movement and faced towards it.  Slowly his vision returned and Carol appeared to him.

    “Here you are,” She held out his jacket.  When he didn’t take it, a frown crossed her brow. “Are you all right?” She asked sitting down next to him.

    “It was you.” He said sadly.

    Carol stared at him, paw holding the jacket drooping.  She pulled it into her lap, almost hugging it.

    Benny looked down at his paws, “Why?”

    Carol still just sat, holding the jacket, staring into it.

    “Why didn’t you want me to know?”  He insisted.

    “I thought you would hate me more.”  The answer came out muffled.

    “But, I don’t hate you.”

    “You don’t like me.”
    “That’s not true, I just,...oh, I dunno, what.”  Benny threw his paws up helplessly.  “I guess to some I was hateful, but to me, I just wanted to be left in peace.”

    He looked over at her, “And it wasn’t that I didn’t, don’t like others, I just don’t understand most of what everyone is on about.”  He added lamely, trying to not sound like such a stuffed shirt.  Or maybe he really was a snob.

    “So what are you saying?” Carol asked confused.

    Benny reached over and grabbed both her paws and said “Thank you,” he said squeezing her paws.  “I am saying, Thank you and I’m sorry.”

     Carol suddenly wrenched her paws free and threw them around Benny’s neck, “I knew you weren’t so bad!”  She squeezed him happily.

    “Oh hey now,” Benny gurgled, pulling her paws from his neck and sitting back.

    “Sorry,” Carol blushed and looked away.

    “May I have my jacket now?”

    “Oh certainly,” she stood up and held it out to help him into it.

    She brushed down the back and out over the shoulders, “There, no harm done.  Good as new.”

    Benny looked the fabric over, “Better, I’d say.  Carlton was right you are quite nifty.”  Turning to face her, he said, “You still haven’t said why you helped.”

    “I thought it was obvious why I did.”

    “I mean, why did you help me after I had been a jerk?  Most would not have lifted a paw, let alone, plant an entire field!”

    “Let’s just say, I forgave you and believe in helping those that need it regardless of how they have been behaving.”

    Benny shook his head, “I just don’t get it.  Jackson has been trying to explain it, but I still...” He trailed off, still shaking his head downcast.

    Carol laughed, “Yes, Benny, your cluelessness, is part of your charm.”  And with that she picked up the tray and went into the house.

    Sensing she wasn’t coming back out, Benny left out the gate.  Turning to close it, he glanced up toward the barrow.  There was Carol, at a window, gazing out at him.  She smiled and waved.  Smiling broadly, Benny waved and made his way home, down the lane, whistling and happy for the first time in a very long time.

Rick Springsquirrel  the Little Squirrel That Could

    “Derry!”

    Rick shrunk down and ducked into his backpack.

    “Derry, come here!”  

    Sighing, Rick looked back and saw his mom waving frantically at him.  Seeing there was no way to ignore her call, he looked back toward the others and hoping they wouldn’t look back, ran quickly down the branch to his mother.

    “Derry, what took you so long?” Mrs. Springsquirrel asked.

    Rick whined, “Mom, I asked you to NOT call me that baby name anymore!  I’m going into the gymnastics class this year.”

    “I know, here, hold still,” Mrs. Springsquirrel threw a scarf around Rick’s nect and tied it securely.  “There no, even though it is getting warmer, there’s still a chill in the air, especially in the morning.”

    Rick stood whlle his mom wrestled with the scarf, all the while casting about furtive glances, hoping no one he knew would come along the branch.

    “What is wrong with you today?” She asked, now reaching out to comb his head.

    “HEY, mooom!” He lurched sideways in a an effort to elude her grooming.  “Awwww, I really need to go now!” He struggled.

    “All right, all right, go!”  She laughed and patted his shoulder.  “Have a good day!”

    And with the release into freedom Rick, scampered along the branch, hurrying to catch up.

Rick Springsquirrel  the Little Squirrel That Could

    “Derry!”

    Rick shrunk down and ducked into his backpack.

    “Derry, come here!”  

    Sighing, Rick looked back and saw his mom waving frantically at him.  Seeing there was no way to ignore her call, he looked back toward the others and hoping they wouldn’t look back, ran quickly down the branch to his mother.

    “Derry, what took you so long?” Mrs. Springsquirrel asked.

    Rick whined, “Mom, I asked you to NOT call me that baby name anymore!  I’m going into the gymnastics class this year.”

    “I know, here, hold still,” Mrs. Springsquirrel threw a scarf around Rick’s nect and tied it securely.  “There no, even though it is getting warmer, there’s still a chill in the air, especially in the morning.”

    Rick stood whlle his mom wrestled with the scarf, all the while casting about furtive glances, hoping no one he knew would come along the branch.

    “What is wrong with you today?” She asked, now reaching out to comb his head.

    “HEY, mooom!” He lurched sideways in a an effort to elude her grooming.  “Awwww, I really need to go now!” He struggled.

    “All right, all right, go!”  She laughed and patted his shoulder.  “Have a good day!”

    And with the release into freedom Rick, scampered along the branch, hurrying to catch up.

-----------

    “Oh, what was that?” A student Rick wasn’t familiar with suddenly shouted to the group.

    “Where?”

    “There!”

    Everyone stared into the canopy trying to find what ever it was, when suddenly a flash of red glistened in the sun.

    “HEY!” A shout went up together, “THERE!”

    As they all stood at the base of the giant Oak, they watched a squirrel, jump, twist and careen through the branches like no squirrel had ever done.  Even those that had watched the Flying Corps all their lives had never seen such movements.  It was as if the object were more closely related to a bird than squirrel.  At times, it was so fast it was hard to keep track  and at other times, it was hard to believe that such movements were possible.  The students ooh and aah’d as the figure came lower and lower down the branches, until at last it came to rest on the branch right above their heads.

    “Morning class,” it greeted them.

    “Morning” the group chorused together.  

    “My name is Jay Greenleaf and I am the new gymnastics teacher.”  Murmurs went through the crowd, they couldn’t believe this was the new teacher! 

    “Ok, everyone, settle down, before we get started we need to set out some rules.”

    Rick and the other students who had been jostling around trying to get a better view of their new teacher had started to get a bit too rowdy.

    “First, there will be no shoving and rough housing during class.  This is very important so no one gets hurt.  I work hard to keep everyone safe.  Two, we take turns, we watch, we support each other and give encouragement.  Now I know not all of you are wanting to try out for the Corps, but a lot will and not everyone is going to be good enough to make it.  But you all can succeed at being better.  That is what we want for everyone,”  He looked around the upturned faces.  “Right?”

    “Yes!”

    “Good, now let’s have all of you line up and when I call you up, come up and I want to see your best leap to this branch over here.”  He pointed to a branch up a ways from where he was standing and much higher than where the class was standing.

    “That’s going to be a piece of cake,” Ron Rippletail boasted.

    Mr. Greenleaf heard him, “Ok, we seem to have a volunteer.”  Looking down at a notebook in his paws he asked, “And your name?”

    “Ron Rippletail.”

    “Hmm, yes, Ronald Rippletail, ok, come up and show us.”

    Ron hung his backpack on the strap and climbed up the tree until he was beside the teacher.  His gaze rose up to where Mr. Greenleaf had pointed, “There?”

    “Yes, Ron, give us your best leap.  Unless you think it it too high.”

    ‘Uh, ok,” Ron swallowed nervously.  The branch that hadn’t looked that far now seemed yards away from where he stood.  Sneaking a look at his classmates, he took a deep breath and went for it, leaping high and barely getting a couple of claws into the bark.  The scrambling and scratching could be heard all over the tree and down to the group below.  When it seemed he might not quite get up, Mr. Greenleaf had moved as if ready to jump and help.  Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Ron got a hind leg up and pulled himself up completely on the branch.  A sigh of relief escaped the group and Ron stood sheepishly looking down.

    “Ok, Ron, come back down and we’ll join the class.”

    When they had both reached the group, Mr. Greenleaf continued, “Can anyone tell me what happened?”

    The students looked around at each other.  Rick seeing that no one else seem to know the answer raised his paw.

    “Yes, your name?”

    “Rick Springsquirrel.”
    Greenleaf looked at his notebook, “Springsquirrel, hmmm, ah, yes, Derrick.”  He looked up, “So, Rick, can you tell us what happened?”

    “Yes, from down here the branch looks closer than it really is up there.”
    “Correct.  The first thing you have to be very careful about is perspective.  You absolutely have to understand how distances change in the way you see them.  Light, direction, wind, rain, everything can alter your perception.  And as Ron demonstrated, a result  that can lead to a misstep.  And that can lead to disaster, especially when you are moving at the speeds we do in Advanced classes and the Flying Corps.”  Greenleaf looked around, ok, who wants to try next?”  Paws shot up.  He looked down at his notebook, “Harold Bristly, see if you can figure it out.  Try branch 3 please.”  

    And with that the day went on, everyone trying their best to judge distances and jump more gracefully than Ron had.  

-----------------

    “Can you believe he’s our teacher?”  The class had finished for the day and Rick and the others were on their way home.

    “So amazing, I’ve never seen anyone go through the trees like that before.”

    “Me either. And my Uncle was one of the best in the Corps!”

    They continued to marvel and gush, still over flowing from the excitement of their first day.  

    “I can’t wait until tomorrow. See ya!”

    “Yeah, bye.”
    “Bye”

    The group broke up as each went along the branches that would lead them to their hollows in the trees.  Rick finally made it home and practically crashed through the door in his excitement.

    “Hey Mom! I’m home!” He boomed, hanging his backpack on the peg, just inside the door.

    “Wipe your feet!”  His mom called.  “Make sure you wash your paws, Supper is almost ready.”

    “K, hey Mom, you will never guess what our teacher did today!”  Rick bubbled with tales from class.  How marvelous Mr. Greenleaf was, all the new stuff they were going to learn, Ron’s first leap, that in re-telling came across more harrowing that it had been.

    “Goodness!”  Mrs. Springsquirrel gasped and looked to her husband worriedly.  “Maybe this isn’t the class for Derry.”

    “Awww, geez.”  Rick slumped in his chair at the table. “Mom, nothing will happen.  Mr. Greenleaf is very strict and we all will be safe.”

    Mr. Springsquirrel patted her paw, “I’m sure it will be ok, dear.”  He turned a meaningful glance over at his son, “Rick is just full of excitement and probably exaggerating a bit.  Now, let’s eat.”

    Later, after Supper, Mr. Springsquirrel took Rick outside.

    “Now Derrick, I know you have wanted to join the Flying Corps since you were a little kit. And I don’t mind so much that you want to, since we have had Flyers in my family for as long as I can remember.  But your mother, isn’t so keen on the idea.  So you need to be careful.”

    “I know, Pop, I just...”

    “Don’t interrupt, I’m not finished.  I mean don’t just be careful what you tell her, but BE careful.  The last thing I want is to loose you as well as deal with your mother if anything ever happened to you.”

    Rick looked down at his feet, “Yes, Pop, I’m sorry.”
    Mr. Springsquirrel grabbed him, “I know boy,” he squeezed.  “I’m proud of ya for trying, even though you’re not the usual size.”

    Rick pulled away, “Aww pop, I’m not so little.”

     Mr. Springsquirrel looked at him, “Ok, ok, go in and get ready for bed.  Need to get plenty of rest for class tomorrow.”

    “Ok, goodnight, pop.”

    “Nite.”

-----------

    The following morning was bright and sunny as the day before and Rick awoke before the rays broke through the slits in his curtains.  Gathering his backpack, he grabbed the doorknob ready to dart out into the day.

    “Hey, wait, you haven’t had your breakfast!” His mom called to him.  “Come sit down and eat.  You have plenty of time.”

    Frustrated at the delay, Rick dropped his bag on the floor and slouched over to the table.  Grabbing a handful of nuts from a bowl, he shoved the wad into his mouth and stood there chewing.  He was about to swallow, when he caught sight of his Dad in the doorway.  Knowing what was expected, he reached over and pulled a chair out and sat before his dad could say anything.

    His mom came to the table, poured him some milk, patted him on the head and smiled.

    “Believe me, you’ll do much better with some food in you.”

    “I can’t eat too much though, or I won’t be able to leap.”  Rick grumbled into his glass.  He finished his milk, while he watched his mom fuss over his younger sisters.  The twins were chatty and soon Rick’s mood lifted a bit.  

    “Bye mom.”

    “Scarf,” his mom said, holding it out.

    Rolling his eyes, Rick took it, secured it around his neck, picked his backpack up from the floor and left for class.  When he got to the big oak, just about everyone else was already there, they too were full of anticipation to get back to learning anything Mr. Greenleaf might teach them. 

--------------

    “Woah!” No, no, no, Stephen, stop!”  Mr. Grenleaf shouted at branch 10.  The class had been working for three months and today those that had passed the first test on basics were moving up to intermediate level.  Mr.  Greenleaf had demonstrated a three leap maneuver and each student was attempting to replicate it.  For most, a three part jump, was beyond anything they had tried before, ever.  Stephen, had started off right, but after the fifth attempt still couldn’t add in the third trick and had been pushing so hard he was dangerously close to the tips of the branches.

    Mr. Greenleaf approached Stephen, “I appreciate you trying so hard, but don’t focus so hard that you lose track of where you are.”  He patted him on the shoulder, “You are not ready to be beyond the half mark, if you continue to pass the line, I will have to flunk you.”

    He turned to the class, “Remember that class, safety first.  Ok, Stephen, back to the end of the line.  Who’s next?”

    Rick’s paw shot up like a shot.  Mr. Greenleaf smile, “Ok, Rick, let’s see how ya do.”

    Taking a deep breath, Rick climbed up to branch 10.  He moved out a bit to give himself room to gather speed before he ricocheted off the trunk for the first part of the trick.  As he did so, he thought of all the things he had learned over the last couple months.  How far til the Too Far Line at the end of the branches, where was the sun, was it casting shadows or would it be shining in his eyes, and finally, how hard was the wind moving through the tree?  He stood letting these questions pass through his brain and absorbing the answers through his senses.

    “Any time you are ready,” Mr. Greenleaf spoke softly so as not to distract.

    Then as if a switch was flipped, Rick took off as fast as he could towards the trunk, the ricochet had a perfect angle so that he had the momentum that he needed to spin and set up for the last movement, the one that had alluded everyone so far and had given Stephen so much trouble.  He arched his back, tail flying, helping him to guide...There!  His front paws grazed the branch and he got enough power to push off and flip backwards before making a landing.

    “YAY!”  The class let out a cheer.  

    Mr. Greenleaf smiled and clapped his paws for everyone to be quiet.  “Nice flip, Rick.  Your landing needs some work, but that will come.  I can see you have a pretty good eye.”

    Breathing hard, from the exertion as well as the excitement at executing the trick correctly, Rick could barely whisper, “Thanks, sir.”

    “Ok, go sit on the observation branch for a well deserved break and let’s see who will do as well.”  He looked at the class, “Who’s ready?”

    Now that Rick had succeeded, others were clamoring for the chance.  Mr. Greenleaf chose the next student and Rick made his way over to the designated branch.

    By the end of the day, over half of the class had been able to complete the trick, including Stephen.   They were, as they always were after class, tired, but excited and happy about what they had learned and how much they were accomplishing.  Their chatter could be heard all over and the surrounding communities always joked that they could tell time by the noise the youngsters made on their way home from class.

    Rick reached home and barely stayed awake during Supper.  He did manage to stay awake long enough to eat and regale the Twins with tales of who had and hadn’t been able to complete the assignment, including his own triumph at being the first.

    “Ooo Derry, I can’t wait until I’m old enough!”

    “Dahlia, please, call me Rick!” he protested!

    “What does it matter, you’ve always been Derry.”  Dolores asked.  “Anyway, Dahlia, girls rarely make it, it is too difficult for most boys.”

    “Pooh, Pop says some Aunt or Cousin So and So made it once.” Dahlia pouted.  “Just because you have no interest doesn’t mean I can’t have any.”

    “Now, now girls, that’s enough,”  Mrs. Springsquirrel interrupted.  “Derry, take your plate to the sink, you’re about to fall asleep in it.”

    Rick started, “Huh? Ok, mom.”  And scooting back his chair he picked up his plate and left it on the counter to be washed.

    “Don’t forget to wash you face and paws and brush your teeth!”  She called down the hall after him.

    “Mmmm,” Rick mumbled and flapped a paw to his mom to show he heard.

“Well, you all seem to be catching all the lessons and passing your tests.  We only have a couple more moths of practice before we have Winter break.”
    “Awwww,” disappointment rose from the class.

    Mr. Greenleaf held up a paw, “I know, I’ve really enjoyed our class so far, but you need to help your families store up for winter before you hibernate.”  He looked out over the class. “Once we come back in the Spring, we will review, then learn the last few things you will need to be able to do before your big test.  But before you do, we are going to have a competition to see who can incorporate the most of what they have learned so far,”  He held up his paws against the tide of murmurs.  “Shush a minute, let me make the rules clear.  I do not mean for you to go out there and show us the most complicated thing you can, mashing all the moves together.  What I want to see is some understanding of the moves and a demonstration of your own ability to create tricks.  That means someone that may do a simple combination or one we have done over and over may win over a convoluted execution.  Put too many moves together and it can end up looking sloppy and the audience won’t be impressed.  Any questions?  OK, class dismissed.  Come back Monday ready to show us what you came up with.  Everyone have a good weekend!!”    

    Rick plucked his back pack from the rack that held them all, slipped it on, and wandered  over to the path he normally took home.  He was lost in thought, planning what he would do Monday that he first didn’t hear, Sam call out to him.

    “Hey, are you in there?” Sam asked reaching out to tap Rick on the back.

    “Huh, oh yeah, just wondering what I could possibly do for Monday.”

    “Oh yeah, at first I thought I was all set, and I heard Tom, Ron and a few others talking and it sounded like they were planning what I had in mind.”  He shook his head, “Now I’m rethinking and so far, it isn’t much.”

    “Uhmm,” Rick was still far away in thought.

    “Well, see ya later,” Sam gave up on trying to talk to Rick and sped ahead to catch up with another group from class further up the trail.

    Head down, lost in thought, Rick just trod along until he made it to his front door.

    “Hey, watch what you’re doing!” Daphne yelled.

    “MOOOOM!” Dahlia hollered trying to push Rick off the dollhouse he had just trod over.

    “Uh, oh, sorry,” he muttered still in a daze.  He took his backpack and hung it up and then wandered down the hall to his room and sat at his desk looking out the window.

    “Derry, I asked if you had a good day.”  His mom pushed open the bedroom door peering anxiously in.  “Are you ok?”

    “Yeah, I’m fine, just thinking.”

    “Oh, ok, well Supper will be ready soon, wash up and come help.”

    The meal was a subdued affair.  Dahlia and Daphne were still a bit putout by Rick’s trampling of their doll’s things so they took turns glaring at him through out, but he didn’t seem to notice as he stared at his food, pushing it back and forth.  Any questions posed to him were met with little response and so everyone finally gave up trying to engage him, except for his mom.  Her worry was growing by the minute.

    “Did something happen today?”

    “No, not really, just have a lot on my mind.”

    “I noticed you’ve been quiet a lot this week.”

    “I’m fine, may I be excused?”  Rick picked up his plate and looked expectantly to his dad.

    “Yes, you may, go get ready for bed.” his dad said.

    After Rick had left, Mrs. Springsquirrel started to say something, but Mr. Springsquirrel held up his paw and shook his head.  When he had finished his supper, he got up and went to see Rick.

    “Knock, knock.  Rick, may I come in?”  He called in the door.

    “Yeah.”

    Mr. Springsquirrel went in and found Rick sitting at his desk, staring outside, not dressed.  In fact he looked like he had just came in.  “Would you like to talk about it?”

    Rick got up and laid on his bed, letting his dad have the chair.

    Mr. Springsquirrel sat, “So, hard week.?”

    Rick looked at his dad and shrugged.

    Mr. Springsquirrel turned to the desk and looked at the items there, “I remember the first time I tried out for the Flying Corps.  I had worked so hard that year, we didn’t have a teacher like Mr. Greenleaves, but he was pretty tough non the less.”

    Rick sat up, “You tried out?”

    His dad looked over at him, “Yeah, I did, twice, actually.”

    “Wow, but wait, you never made it, did you?”

    “Nope, I don’t think I was ever close,” he answered wryly.  “It is a hard thing to face to want something, and work at it, and then not be able to get it.”

    Rick down looked at this paws, “Yeah.”  He swallows and sighs, almost as if he’s fighting back tears.  “At first, it seemed I was going to make it.  I was the first to do most of the tricks, Mr. Greenleaf seemed to be impressed with the way I did them, and I could figure out how to make it work.  The fellas in the class, seemed to look up to me even.”

    “That’s a big deal, given that most are bigger than you.”

    Rick grimace, “Yeah, I really like it when everyone cheers and talks to me and...” He trailed off and snuck a peek at his dad and then ducked his head.  

    “Doesn’t notice that you are so small?”

    Rick nodded.

    “But it isn’t like that anymore? Or something else going on?  I thought it was going well.”

    “I dunno, it just seems like I can’t do it anymore.”

    “That comes with everything and sometimes you have good days and bad.”

    “But it seems more than that.  Not just this week, but the last couple weeks, I either have been the last to do the assignment or not at all.  This week I haven’t been able to complete the sequence, no matter how hard I work at it.”

    “Maybe you have been working too hard.  You might just be tired.  Winter break is coming up and you’ll get a good rest.”

    “Yeah, but we have a competition Monday and I don’t think I’ll be able do anything.  I mean I can do stuff, but nothing that will get me on the board.”
    “What do you have to do?”

    “We have to create a combination and it isn’t enough to do something, he wants it to really demonstrate what we have learned.”

    “Haven’t you learned a lot?”

    “Yes, but I can’t include the last bits, I just can’t get anywhere with the last lessons.”

    “Why, is it the difficulty or what?”

    Rick almost seemed to shrink down into himself, “I’m to small,” he almost whispered.

    Mr. Springsquirrel leaned toward him, “What?”

    “I’m too small, Pop, I’m just too small...” just then, his voice broke as if the tears couldn’t be contained.

    His dad grabbed him, and hugged him.  “Now, now. I know it is disappointing, like I said, I too have wanted and not been able to have.  The question is, do you enjoy it enough to stick with it, even if you aren’t perfect or get exactly what you want?  Sometimes, it has to be the ‘doing’ that motivates.   Besides, I also think, that you might just be able to succeed.  I’ve seen you and you are quite good!?”  

    Rick looked up, “Really?  You really think so?  You’re not just saying that?”

    “No, son. I do really think that if you like it enough to tolerate the disappointment and hang in there, you might be able to over come your challenges.”

    “Wow...”

    “Now, I think it is time you went to bed.  You need all the sleep you can get if you are going to figure out a combination for Monday.”  Mr. Springsquirrel stood.  “See you in the morning.”

    “Night.  Oh and Pop...”

    “Yes?”

    “Thanks.”

-------------

    Morning arrived grey and windy and though as it wore on, the sun joined the day, it was a precursor of the season to come and remind the critters that Summer would soon give way to Winter.

    “Morning dear.”

    “Morning.”  Mr. and Mrs. Springsquirrel exchanged kisses.  “I guess Derrick is sleeping in after his rough week?”

    “Oh no, he’s been up since dawn.”

    “Really, doing what?”

    “He went out and has been doing all sorts of flips, and twists and stuff.  I have been barely able to watch.  I’m not sure what he is trying to do.”

    “I’m sure he’ll figure it out.”  He gave his wife another kiss and went out the door with a big smile on his face in search of his son.  It didn’t take him long to find the branches Rick was using for his practice runs.  Before he saw the exaggerated shaking and bouncing, he could hear Rick talking to himself, fussing and cajoling, working harder and harder to make his little body move in such a way that he could still cover the same ground as the bigger boys and look as impressive or more so.

    “AAARGH!”  Rick’s frustrated yell broke through the leaves.  And though he had fallen past the branch he had aimed for, he didn’t feel the pain of the bruises he was sure he was creating.  He was sure that he was so close to getting it right, in fact he was getting closer and closer.  He felt deep down, that it was just a matter of figuring the last piece.  How, how, how was he going to get this sorted?

    “Hey.”

    “Oh, hey Pop.”

    “You are looking pretty good.”

    “I don’t know, it just won’t click.  I can’t tell if I’m not reaching far enough or the combination is too complicated because I’m trying to compensate for the fact I can’t reach it or what.”  He collapsed in a dejected heap on the branch beside his dad.

    “Well, take a break,” he patted him and sat down beside him.  “Then when you are ready, show me the different pieces and then put them all together.  Maybe between the two of us we can sort it out.”

    Rick laid back with his paws over his eyes, “Ok, let me catch my breath.”

    They sat for a bit enjoying the quiet moment, when it became clear to Mr. Springsquirrel that Rick had fallen asleep.  He shook him gently, “Derrick? You awake?”

    Soft snores were Rick’s only response.  His dad smiled, leaned back against the tree and dozed a little himself as he waited for Rick to rouse.

----------

    “Ready to go Derry?”

    Mrs. Springsquirrel asked Rick as he finished off his breakfast, Monday morning.

    “Yeah, mom, just let me clean this up.”

    “Oh that’s ok, go ahead and get your stuff.”

    “Thanks mom, guess I better go.”

    Reluctantly Rick handed the bowl to his mom and turned to collect his backpack.  Knowing that he should go, but not looking forward to class, he took the time to say good bye to his sisters.

    “Good luck,” Dahlia whispered when he bent to give her a kiss.

    “Thank you.”

    He left home and made his way to class.  As he got closer to the tree, he could hear the others, joking and pushing about, excited for class to start.  Not feeling up for this joviality, he hung back a minute when Sam saw him.

    “Rick!” Sam called and waved.  “Com’on over here.”

    “Hey.”

    “Hey, I think I figured something out.  Did you?”

    “Yeah, not sure it is going to be enough though.”

    “Me either.  I spent as much time as I could the last couple days.  My mom was so mad I had to leave my cousin’s birthday party early so I could practice.”

    Paul came up to the pair, “You too?  Neither my mom OR my dad were too thrilled with all the practice.  I don’t know how I am going to convince them next Spring that I want to try out for the Flying Corps.  We have never had flyers in the family, so they don’t get it.”

    Sam agreed, “Yeah, Rick, you have it so easy, since your Dad’s family has had Flyers.”

    “I guess, but I wish that made it easier.” He turned to Paul, “You’re lucky you are so long. And you Sam, you don’t seem to have to figure out the extra sequences.,”  Rick sighed.  He wish his family’s experience could make it easier on him.  Though he did have to admit that having his dad’s support was helpful.  The time they had spent during the weekend working on his routine meant the world to him.  Even if he messed up and couldn’t overcome his issues, his dad’s unfailing faith in him made him feel much better about having to perform his routine.

    He was still mulling all this over when Mr. Greenleaf showed up and started organizing the class for the line order.  Rick found himself last in line.  At first he was happy with his placement, but after the 5th student to fail, he started to get nervous.  

    At last, his turn came.  Only a third of the class had been able to completely get through their routines and of those only two had routines that approached the standards they had been given.  Rick hadn’t even watched the last few due to the nervous flutters that kept going through his stomach.  He was sure that if he didn’t do it soon, he would be terribly ill.  Mr. Greenleaf called his name.

    “Rick, you’re up. Remember, be safe, but give it your all.”

    Rick’s “Yes sir” was barely audible as he approached the take off branch and prepared to start.

    “Whenever you’re ready.”

    Rick started with his favorite attack angle that helped him overcome his short stature and give him the extra oomph that he needed to clear obstacles and get the extra twists in.  He was doing his routine perfectly when he got to the second to last trick and he caught his foot on a small twig branch.  It wasn’t enough to stop him completely, but since he needed every bit of momentum, this was enough to take the extra he had built up with the previous trick.  So as he turned his body to glance off the branch and make a successful landing, he pitched straight into it, and skidded down the branch until he came to a halt in a heap.

    Mr. Greenleaf rushed over, “Rick,” he called bending over the crumpled form.  “Rick, can you hear me, are you ok?”

    Rick sat up, “Yes, I’m fine.”

    “Very good.  Too bad you caught your foot, it looked like you had gotten the assignment right.  It was very impressive up to that point.”  Mr. Greenleaf patted him reassuringly on the shoulder and turned to the class.

    “Well everyone, that is our last class for this season.  I think it is clear, who needs to work and what needs to be worked on.  Wish you all a pleasant hibernation and I will see you in the Spring!”

    Some of the excitement that the students had had before the class had diminished since so many of them had struggled with the assignment, but at the thought of hibernation and a long break, perked up many of them and they dispersed along the trees to their homes chattering as they had many times over the last months.  Rick fiddled with the straps on his backpack, acting like they were broken, so he didn’t have to look at anyone and he had an excuse to hang back.  He unbuckled and buckled until the last student could be heard, far past the leaves in the next tree.  Deciding he had waited long enough, he finally put his pack on and started home.  As he rounded a clump of vines, he saw his dad and just when he was about to call out, he heard Mr. Greenleaf call.

    “Hello Mr. Springsquirrel. How are you?”

    “Fine, fine, just thought I would check on Derrick and see how class went today.”

     “Well, you just missed him.”

    “Yeah, I was really wanting to talk to you about him.”

    “Oh, what’s up?”

    “I wanted your honest assessment of his chances at making the Flying Corps next year.”

    Mr. Greenleaf sighed and looked down, “Hmmmm....”

    “I really want your honest opinion,” Mr. Springsquirrel insisted.

    “I don’t know if it is just Rick or your family’s back ground, but he had a really good talent for the sport.  Some students can be spectacular, but Rick is consistent in his ability to see the terrain and work with it.”  Mr. Greenleaf stopped.

    “And......?”

    “And, he is very small.  And with the trees we normally work with, this is a big issue.”  Mr. Greenleaf finished gravely.

    “I was hoping that it was just me.  We worked together this past weekend and it was really hard for him to over come some of the reaches.”

    “You worked with him?”

    “Yes, oh, I didn’t make up his routine.  That was all his planning.  I just watched and was able to tell him how far he missed a landing or a paw hold.  Or how a combination would look to the audience.”

    “Ah, that’s good.  I thought, that if you were helping him, then the decision would be easier.”

    “Decision?”
    “Yes, I am afraid that at this point, despite Rick’s obvious gift, he will not progress with his talent, due to his size and I will not be able to advance him, so that he will be able to test and qualify to try out for the Corps.”

    Mr. Springsquirrel shook his head, “That’s a shame.”

    “Yes it is, Rick could offer a lot to the program if he could continue to advance and grow his talent.”  Mr. Greenleaf shrugged, “But if a squirrel is too small, they are a danger to themselves and others.  And I cannot let that go on.”

    “No, no, I see your point.  I understand completely.  It is just going to be a huge disappointment to him.”

    “I know, which is why it is a difficult decision for me.  Usually, I would let the student and family know before hibernation so they have time to prepare for a class change in the Spring.  Even if they grow, if they haven’t been doing well, they usually won’t with their new size.  By the time they adjust and get over the gawkiness, it is too late to catch up.  The rest of the class had advanced far beyond the late bloomer.  But in Rick’s case, he does have talent and I have hope that it would carry over if he grew.  He also has a dedication that I believe he would work extra hard to make sure he over-came any lag he experienced while he adjusted to a growth spurt.  It all hinges on whether he grows between now and trials.”  Mr. Greenleaf exhaled slowly, “So do I tell him now or wait and tell him later?”

    “Is it taking up a spot for someone you know qualifies?”

    “No, we had enough vacancies come open to allow for new entrants.  That isn’t a problem, “ Mr. Greenleaf answered.

    “Then please leave him in.  Let’s wait and see how the winter goes.”

    “Ok, I think if you think that is best, I will hold off on making a formal decision on his status.”

    Mr. Springsquirrel held out a paw, “Thank you.”
    They shook paws, “Certainly, I am happy to give Rick a chance.”

    Mr. Springquirrel left and headed back the way he had come.  Rick let the bark go that he had been clinging to in panic, when he had heard what the two had said.  He was so afraid that Mr. Greenleaf was going to dismiss him before hibernation. He was overjoyed that his Pop had convinced his instructor to wait.  But he wasn’t sure what he was going to do about needing to grow.  There was a chance he hadn’t had his final growth spurt yet.  It happened to some.  He heard stories about some of his uncles that had a giant spurts before they stopped growing.  Rick chewed a stick in thought.  What had they done?  Maybe he should visit and have a little chat before they got too busy with their hibernation preparations.

    Plotting on how he would get a chance to visit his uncles, Rick sped along the path to home.  Much to his surprise when he got there, his Aunt Wilma was sitting at the table shelling nuts and talking, “I never saw such a color in all my life!” She exclaimed.

    “Oh Rick, there you are!” His mom said as he came through the door.

    “Come here Derry and give your Auntie Wilma a kiss!”  Aunt Wilma threw wide her paws and then bundled Rick into a great hug while she kissed.  “MmWah!  I’ve missed you so much.  How’s school going?”

    “It is fine.  We are out for hibernation.”

    “Ah, good, that means we will have more help with these nuts!  Come sit by me and tell me all you have been up to.”  She patted the chair next to her and resumed shelling.

    Rick glanced at his sisters as he sat down.  Neither one said anything as he sat and for that he was grateful.  He wasn’t really ready to talk about how the day’s class had gone.”

    “So any big gymnastic students this year?  I do love the Flying Corps and the tryouts are always so exciting.  I like to know who to route for.” She turned to Dahlia, “I love  to see the underdogs beat them,” she winked and turned back to Rick.  “Hmm?  Anyone stick out this year?”

    Rick squirmed a little in his chair, especially when he caught his mom’s and Daphne’s eye. “Um...”  He was saved from having to answer at that moment when his dad came in and with him was a couple of his younger cousins.  As soon as they saw the twins, squealing filled the room and the adults ushered the girls outside.

    As soon as peace settled once again, Mr. Springsquirrel called to Rick, “Come Derrick, we have work to do.”

    “Yes, Pop,” Rick rose, leaned over to kiss his Aunt Wilma goodbye, and followed his dad out the door.

    “Bye dear, see ya later,” his Aunt waved as he closed the door behind him.

    “Ready for some work, Derrick?”

    “Sure Pop, what are we doing?”

    “First we need to get the girls back to the trees and picking up nuts, then we will go over to Uncle Albert’s and clear some branches.  The storm last week brought some down and you know he’s too old to move them himself.  A bunch of us are going meet up and see if we can’t get it all cleared before more comes down and hurts someone.”

    Rick couldn’t believe his luck, now he wouldn’t have to make up a reason to go see his relatives during the busiest season of a Squirrel’s life.  He surely would find some way to ask some questions and this way he could do it without making it obvious what he was doing.

    Mr. Springsquirrel called to the girls, “Ok girls, that’s enough, time to get those buckets back to the trees.  We need those nuts gathered quickly!”

    “Ok, Pop,” the girls picked up the buckets and went chattering down the path that led to the nut grove.  Mr.Springsquirrel and Rick followed for a bit, but veered off to head down towards the river where the larger, older trees lived and the home of his Great Uncle Albert.

    Uncle Albert’s tree wasn’t the largest or the oldest, but he was one of the largest and oldest squirrels along Wren Dale River.  Many couldn’t remember a time when Albert hadn’t been in the old Oak tree.  As they approached, Rick could hear shouts ring out.

    “HEY, THIS WAY, YOU LAME BRAIN!”

    “WATCH OUT!”

    “TIMBER!”  The crack of wood split through the air, raising the fur on Rick’s back.

    When they finally got close enough, Rick could see not only his relatives and other squirrels wrestling with the limb damage, but a few Beavers from Norbert’s corner were on the ground.  One Beaver stood at the base of the tree that must have been what caused the great cracking sound and another was busy chewing the larger pieces into smaller more manageable chunks that could be drug through the forest to the dam.  A few others were already wrestling branches down the freshly made path toward Norbert’s corner.  The big logs though were being pushed into the river and floated where they would be picked up in the pond.

    “Let’s see why don’t you check on Uncle Albert first and see if he needs anything and if he doesn’t then go over to your cousin Robbie and see if you can help with the limbs on that side.”

    “Sure Pop!”  Rick took off scampering over the branches making sure to keep clear of the freshly broken pieces.  He heard others calling out directions and occasional bark of “Clear!” and had just found his Uncle when he heard someone yell and instead of taking cover, Uncle Albert just stood there.

    “Uncle!”  Rick yelled and dove to pull him down, just as a branch fell from above.

    “HEY!” Uncle Albert wrenched his arm from Rick.  “What do you think you’re doing?”  Then he saw who it was.  “Ya didn’t have to tackle me boy!”  He ruffled Rick’s head and continued walking along.

    Rick followed along keeping an eye on the work being done overhead.  “Uncle, I think we should go inside and get something to drink.”

    Uncle Albert looked at him, “Yeah, even though Fall’s on its way, it is a bit warm today.”  He turned around, “Let’s go.”

    Rick sighed relief as he closed the door just as another “Clear!” rang out.

    “So much dab burned racket, ya can’t think, can ya?”  

    Aunt Missy set glasses on the table, “Now Albert, how else are they going to get it all cleared?”  

    “How are you Derrick?”  She kissed him as she went by.  “Ready for winter?”

    “We’re getting there.  Mom and Aunt Wilma were shelling when I was at home.  Is there anything you need while I am here Aunt Missy?”

    “No Rick we’re fine,”  She led him to the front door and lowered her voice.  “Thank you for bringing him back, I was a bit worried while he was out.”  

    Rick smiled, “Sure thing.”

    “Make sure you tell your Dad, Hi and Thank you, for us.”

    “Will do.”
     “Bye.”
    “Bye!”  Rick scampered high over the damage and down to where he could safely get to where his cousin Robbie and others were busy clearing debris.

    “There he is, come over here, we need some extra pull.”

    They worked until dark, pulling all the damage out, trimming what was left, and dropping it down for the Beavers and other ground animals to use.  Many were out preparing for the coming winter’s chill.  As they worked Rick found many chances to ask different relatives that had been in the Flying Corps, how they had worked to get there, trouble spots they had had to over come.  He had even talked to a few that had wanted to get in, but failed and heard their words of advice.  A few others had even told the old tales of those that had grown and the rumors of how they had managed to grow what they had done.  Rick’s head was spinning by the time someone had declared it too dark to do much more.  By the time they had made it home, he was too tired to eat and he went to bed and dreamed of all the possibilities.

    Fall gave way to the first frost and before the animals knew it Winter was upon them.  Rick wished he could have had a little more time.  Whenever he wasn’t busy helping his dad prepare the tree for winter or his mom and sisters prepare the food stores he spent time trying out all the things he had discovered at the clearing.  Each available opportunity, he ate the herbs he had heard about, did the exercises, anything he could remember, he tried.  As his dad sealed up the door and went around for one last check, Rick wished he had one more day.

    “Ok, Derrick, in your bed.” His Mr. Springsquirrel stuck his head in the door.  “What were you doing?”

    Rick ducked his head as he climbed in bed, “Oh, you know, some exercises...” he trailed off embarrassed.

    “Oh well, probably a good idea. See you in the Spring.”

    “See you in the Spring,” Rick echoed, snuggling down in his bed.

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    The frost sparkled out over the trees, but Rick could see little patches of green starting to peep through and their tree was covered in little fat buds, just waiting to burst through.