Outdoors in the Forest

 

It is a fine, clear day in November at the forest by the Deep River.  Our talking Moles, Ursa and Aster, are pulling out their barbecue.  They have been saving some special crickets that were brought to them by the red birds.  Ursa has a special spicy sauce that she puts on the crickets.  It is a recipe adapted from the book “Locust Recipes” that Jean Batiste Locator left behind after the locust infestation.  Boy those locusts were sure good, thinks Ursa.  But they are gone now, and these plump crickets look mighty tasty today.  Aster loves to light the barbecue coals, and it is understood that this is always his job.

 

“We’re going to have company, you know.” Says Ursa.  I am glad I thought ahead and made extra.”

 

Geo and Pigmet are digging in the garden.  The garden looks totally dead, but Pigmet is still sniffing out potatoes.  He is going to find every one.  Geo looks down toward the Moles, who are sitting on a log next to their barbecue. 

 

“I have an idea,” says Geo.  He takes the potato from Pigmet, and dashes up into the house.  He returns with the potato cut up into wedges.  “Look at this, ‘Met.”  I am going to ask the Moles if we can put this potato on the barbecue.  That way we will all have something to eat, and I will not have to eat a barbecued cricket just to be polite.”

 

“Those crickets were good, Geo!”  Pigmet says.

 

“Yes, but even though the Moles are generous, they need to eat those crickets themselves.  You can eat a cricket, but let’s try these potatoes too.  We will put some of Ursa’s spicy sauce on them.”

"Spicy potatoes!" Pigmet says "Yes yes yes yes YES!" and he hops straight up in the air.

 

"Okay, let's go," says Geo. He and Pigmet walk down the hill, and approach the Moles.  “Hi guys” says Geo.

 

“Hi back,” says Aster.  "Yo!" says Ursa. 

 

“You’re having a picnic” says Geo, “and it’s a fine day for it, too.”

 “Come and join us, “says Ursa,  “You know there is always plenty.”

 “I had an idea, Urs” says Geo.  “Look! We cut up a potato, and we would like to barbecue it along with your crickets.  Do you think you could put some of your sauce on it?”

Ursa smiles widely.  She likes this idea.  “Oh yes!” she says.  “What a great idea!”

 

The potatoes are put on the grill.  Ursa gets out her special red-checkered napkins for everyone to use.  Geo did not have to eat a cricket.  Ursa gave him a knowing look, with glowing, merry eyes.  Then suddenly, a large gray bird with a bright red crest came down, landing on the hood of the barbecue.

 

“Look!” said Ursa.  “It’s the bird who brought us the crickets in the first place!  He has come back to share in the feast!”  And she held out a cricket, which the bird snatched and ate, a bit more slowly than usual, to show his appreciation.  The bird then cocked his head to the side, looking right at Ursa.  And then he flew away.  As he did, the chorus song that the birds sing all in unison began.  It was one of those special moments everyone would remember.

 

Geo smiled.  He knew that the bird was really Shiara.

3:42:21 PM