wide open spaces
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Kittys adventures

Wide Open Spaces

 

Amanda and Alex stood at the tree line, awed by the wilderness in front of them. For kitties used to being surrounded by buildings this was almost overwhelming. It was also scary.

 

“Alex, I think we should go back to the other side of the woods.”

 

“Ok, but why don’t we walk along the edge. Maybe we can find an easier way. Those trees hurt my claws.”

 

As they made their way through the edge of the trees, they saw a clearing. There was a creek running through it and it looked like the same creek that was close to Sarah’s house. At least it was a place to get a drink and maybe they could follow it back. But on their way there Alex got tangled up in a briar bush.

 

“You did it again.”

 

“I’m good at that”

 

It took some time, but Amanda finally got Alex freed. They headed for the water because all that work made them both thirsty. It also made them hungry and they decided to follow the creek back to the alleys. This time they would go in a different direction. Not bad for two kitties that didn’t have a GPS navigator built in. They did, however, make sure to stay away from the bushes!

 

As they neared the water, they saw a human family having a picnic. They went further upstream so they wouldn’t be seen. Not all humans are as friendly as Sarah. But after getting a good drink they decided to watch the bigger humans play catch with a stuffed animal. One would throw it and the little one would catch it and try to throw it back. The little girl would try to throw it real hard but it ended up just going up and back down. Then mom would get it and help her throw it to her dad. But then she tried to throw it real hard and it landed in the tree.

 

“Oh dear, how are we going to get that down? I can’t climb.”

 

“Let me see if I can throw a rock to knock it out.”

 

The dad tried several times but it wouldn’t move. Mom tried to comfort the little one but it wasn’t working.

 

“Alex, why don’t we climb up and knock it down?”

 

“You stay here, I’ll go up.”

 

Alex clawed his way up to the branch that the stuffed toy was stuck in and pushed it free. The humans smiled and thanked him. They said they had some leftover food if he was hungry. He was, but so was Amanda. He climbed back down and both kitties went over to the humans.

 

“They’re cute.”

 

“I know dear and they did get your stuffy for you but let them eat.”

 

“Yes, they might not want to be picked up.”

 

Both Amanda and Alex looked at the humans and said thank you (in kitty of course). Alex backed away, but Amanda let the little girl pet her. She didn’t want to be picked up, but petting was ok.

 

“Ok dear, we should be heading for home. It’s getting late.”

“Yes, so let the kitty go join it’s friend.”

 

“Let’s clean this up here before we go. This is not our home. It belongs to the forest creatures.”

 

With that, the humans picked up everything and walked towards their house. Alex and Amanda headed up the creek. They had gotten a drink, did a good deed and got food. All in all it was a good day.

Shell Game
Mood:  not sure
Topic: Kittys adventures

Shell Game

 

Amanda and Alex reconciled. Koko invited them to stay for a few days, but Amanda, after talking to Alex said no. It was time to get back to their travels. They did agree to wait until morning. As the rays of first light streaked through the glistening, dew-laden trees, Amanda and Alex said their good-byes.

 

“Which way should we go? I’d like to explore more of these woods.”

 

“I agree Mandy.”

 

These may have been city kitties, but thanks to all the friends made along the way, they were fast becoming countrified. The ground was getting harder to walk on the deeper in they went. Amanda was starting to get worried because she couldn’t get through the underbrush. Every time she took a step forward, she would get tangled in the briars. Alex tried to help, but as soon as she got free of a branch, Alex got caught up in it.

 

“Come up here, it’s easier.”

 

“Who that?”

 

“I really don’t know Alex, I’m as new here as you are.”

 

“I know, I was hoping whoever said that would answer.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

Just then, a squirrel that lived in the nearby trees, came scampering down. Not far behind came another.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I’m Oakley and she’s Annie.”

 

“Those are funny names.”

 

“Yeah, but mom heard some human call us that when we were little and she liked it so that’s what she named us.”

“I can see how Oakley fits, but Annie?”

 

“The human said something about a historical figure, whatever that means.”

 

We’ll let them chatter back and forth for a bit. Alex was asking about the best way to get through all the weeds and prickly bushes and Annie said she could lead them through the trees. It’s a good thing kitties can climb trees. With a bit of help from their new friends, Amanda and Alex were able to get away from the tangled underbrush. Annie led them to a new part of the woods where it was easier walking on the ground.

 

“Thanks you two. We’ll have to come back to visit sometimes.”

 

“Yes, please do, but bring nuts.”

 

“Oakley! That’s not nice to ask of new friends.”

 

“I was just teasing them.”

 

“It’s ok, we knew he was teasing. But we may bring some back if we find any.”

 

Amanda and Alex bid farewell to their new friends and started off through the woods. Before long they found the edge of the tree line. As they approached it, they noticed that there were a few houses here also. The yards weren’t as fancy as Sarah’s. What they found was the edge of the town. Because it was in the country, the garbage cans were quite full. The town pickup service was only a couple of times a month. This made for easy pickings for our little wanderers.

 

“Mandy, we’ll have to remember this place.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Ok, let’s not interrupt their dinner. We’ll catch up with them later.

Solitude part 2
Mood:  blue
Topic: Kittys adventures

Solitude

Part 2

 

Aesop found Alex but he looked so dejected. He thought it best to have Koko be the first to contact him. Besides, he was afraid of scaring him into running further away. He knew there was a problem but he didn’t know how to fix it. He had friends, but from what Koko and the rest had said, the connection between Amanda and Alex was more than simple friends. No, it was better to let an expert deal with this.

 

“Alex?”

 

“Hi Koko. How did you find me?”

 

“It’s hard to hide from your friends.”

 

“Friends? I thought Amanda was my friend, but she didn’t come with you I see.”

 

“No, I made sure she was distracted. I wanted to talk to you alone.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Amanda is worried to pieces. She read your note, and yes she shared it with me. Before she found it she thought maybe something had happened to you. Then when she found what you wrote, she was very upset. She is thinking she is doing something wrong.”

 

“No, she isn’t. But she is the popular one. No one notices me.”

 

“Ah, there you are wrong my friend. She isn’t the popular one, just the talkative one. You need to learn to speak up.”

 

“But she always answers the questions rainbow sends. She never asks me what I think.”

 

“Ok, I’ll give you that. She probably doesn’t realize you might have different answers. We sent her a question sheet, then we were asked to answer them also. Amanda made sure you were included.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Really. Now, come on. Let’s go back to the cave and we’ll talk with Amanda. She wasn’t ignoring you, but I can see how it might look that way.”

 

Back home, Koko got Amanda and Alex together. She explained Alex’s side and Amanda realized what had happened. She said she would make sure Alex got his side in on the questions, but told Alex he has to speak up when they are with others. He promised to try.

 

Let’s keep following these two and see how the future goes. At least for now they are back together and are ready to start off on more adventures.

Solitude
Mood:  sad
Topic: Kittys adventures

Solitude

Part 1

 

Amanda woke up to a bright, sunny day. Indeed, it was a good day to explore new territory. First things first though; Koko had given them some special treats and that sounded like a great breakfast. She got up and stumbled over the little pile of weeds she had been using as a pillow. Ok, maybe I better wake up more. Amanda blinked a few times then called for Alex to join her for breakfast. No answer. She tried again while she walked over to where he had been sleeping. He wasn’t there. Maybe he just went for an early morning walk. But then she saw the grass where he had been sleeping. There was a note.

 

“Mandy, I’ll catch up with you sometime. Right now I need some alone time. I am feeling very lonely. You’re getting all the attention. I am just another kitty in the shadows. I’m sorry. I thought it was going to be the two of us, but no one even notices me.

 

Alex”

 

A solitary cloud floated overhead. Fitting because it was a little rain cloud. The tears in Amanda’s eyes wouldn’t be seen if it rained. But Amanda didn’t really care right now. Her world had just crashed around her.

 

“You silly boy, you are my world.”

 

There wasn’t anyone to hear her. Confusion replaced joy as she wondered what to do. Traveling without Alex was not acceptable. Going home was also out of the question. She was unable to move, so she just laid down and cried.

 

“Amanda? What’s wrong?”

 

“Hi Rabbit. Alex is gone. See the note he left?”

 

“You two were very close, weren’t you?”

 

“Yes”

 

“Come on, let’s go see Koko. She’ll know what to do. If nothing else you’ll be surrounded by friends.”

 

Rabbit held on to the note as they walked to Koko’s place. Amanda didn’t say much, it hurt to talk. Friends, she thought, but Alex is my best friend, doesn’t he know that? Rabbit tried to talk to her, but she was crying too hard to hear him. It was a silent, sullen pair that entered Koko’s place.

 

“What’s wrong Amanda?”

 

Rabbit handed her the note.

 

“Oh dear. We must find Alex. That poor boy doesn’t understand. Come on, we’ll have some refreshments and I’ll see what I can do.”

 

Koko left Rabbit with Amanda. She went into the other great room and gathered her brood.

 

“Kids, we have to find Alex. He thinks Amanda has abandoned him because everyone pays more attention to her. Those two belong together, but we have to convince Alex of how important his role is. Any ideas of where to start looking?”

 

“We could spend all day looking. Why don’t we contact Aesop. He can see all over?”

 

So, with that, Aesop was on the hunt. It didn’t take long because Alex’s tail gave him away. Aesop flew down and told Koko where he was. She in turn put Rabbit in charge of keeping Amanda busy while she went out to talk to Alex.

 

Next up, Alex’s story

Eagle-eyed and odd
Mood:  mischievious
Topic: Soaring Eagles
The Eagle has not landed

“I see it, but I just don’t believe it. Not only doesn’t that boy like fish, but he uses silverware like humans!”

Aesop was rather an odd bird. They knew there was something a bit strange about the kid when he hatched. Bald eagles are supposed to be, well, bald. But Aesop had pinfeathers that went every which direction. From day one he did things that most birds don’t do. Ok, he did things that NO other birds do. Flying wasn’t a problem, but how many other birds do you know that put a stick in the ground with a feather attached to the top with a piece of spider silk? This is the only known instance of a weather vane built by a bird, for a bird.

“Look at that Ma, do you see any other birds that build a fire to cook?”

“Now Pa, give the kid a break. He claims to be a born again human. He’ll be old enough to live on his own soon enough.”

“Yeah, but how do we explain him to the rest of the family? The reunion is tomorrow.”

“We could stay home, but that would probably look just as bad. Let’s just hope Aesop behaves. Maybe we can get lucky.”

It was a strange reunion indeed. There were only four families involved but each one had their own odd chick. Let’s listen in on the parents.

“You say Aesop uses silverware like humans? That’s nothing. Marcus likes to fly in squares and other strange shapes. He claims there is a special meaning to it. I’ve tried and tried to teach him to just fly around in a circle when hunting but he insists on being different.”

“Ha! At least yours fly. Max walks. I told him he’d starve to death that way. I asked him, how are you ever going to catch anything if you don’t fly and spot them from the air? He proceeded to show me. That crazy kid walked over to a log, pushed it out and as it floated down the river, he had a string he found dragging in the water behind him. It actually worked because afore long, he pulled the string and there was a fish on the other end.”

“You guys have it made. Artemis has really got me concerned. I took him out for his first flight and to show him how to fish. Once we got back home I sat down to rest knowing he would be ok. But after a bit, I couldn’t find him and Pa said he had gone over to that little ledge by the home place. He was gone for the longest time and I was beginning to worry. But then he came home and started gathering up branches and string and some odd pieces of metal. I asked him if he was planning on building his own place already.”

“Well, did he?”

“No, and that is what was so strange. He took all those things and made the darnedest contraption I ever saw. He said it was a better way to catch fish. He asked me to join him over on the ledge. What he had done was make a picture of the thing!”

“Did it work?”

“Yep”

Aesop Makes First Fable

“Ok, now where did the kids go? I swear this is the last egg I lay!”

“I agree. I’ve never had this kind of problem with any of the other chicks.”

“Now, Now ladies, they’re good kids. A little strange, but good.”

Everyone had to agree they weren’t ‘bad’ kids. Just odd. Actually, for birds, they were quite intelligent. As it turned out, Aesop, Max, and Artemis became good friends and realized that by putting their talents together, they would be an awesome team. Artemis had found a small cave, high up on one of the cliffs by the river. The three of them decided that would be a good place to make their own. This was their ‘playground’ so to speak.

“Ma! Oh dagnabit, we’ve been together for a long time and I never did get your name. Anyway, Aesop said he and the other two were going over to that cave one of ‘em found. I told him to get back home afore supper.”

“Pa, my name is brighteyes. I told you that so often you’d think you’d remember. Hitting that bridge that was taller than you though musta adled what little you had between the feathers.”

Meanwhile, back at the cave.

“Max, you made it!! According to the old birds, you don’t fly, just walk.”

“Flying ain’t hard, I just prefer to walk when I’m after something to eat. It’s a neat trick because the fish are watching high up for predators so I can easily catch them with a line.”

“Hey guys, look at this! I came up with a neat idea.”

“Neat drawing, but what is it?”

“It’s a simple code to let the family know where we are.”

Ok, I know, they could just go home and tell the parents where they’re going. But, you know eagles, they tend to be out and about a lot. This way the kids can tell mom and dad where they are without having to worry about some other critter learning their whereabouts. Remember, safety first. Now all they had to do was teach the old birds this code. Let’s check in with the parents to see how the lesson is going.

“Ma, keep this paper under your wing, or someplace safe. It’s the code Artemis worked out to leave messages.”

“Why not just tell us?”

“Uh, like how often are you home? You’re always out flying around looking for food, or trying to make sure there are no bridges for Dad to run into.”

“Good point.”

Back at the cave.

“How did it go Aesop?”

“It was easier than I thought. How about you guys?”

“It was the same for us. Now we can go where we want and do what we want and the old birds won’t have to worry so much.”

They were right. Now the kids can explore or do whatever Eagle kids do, and the folks knew where they would be. It did make life a bit easier, except for the fact that what these kids could and would do, was NOT normal eagle things. The adventures have just started.

Alex disappears
Mood:  not sure
Topic: kritter kapers

Alex Disappears

 

Amanda had awed all of Koko’s charges with all their adventures. Even Rabbit was impressed. As Amanda was finishing up, Cocoa and Cora, the two baby squirrels were nudging closer and closer.

 

“More stories”

 

It took Amanda a moment to understand Cocoa’s squeaks. But finally she realized they wanted to hear more adventure stories. Unfortunately every story Amanda knew had been told.

 

“Ok everyone, it’s snack time. Rabbit, would you do the honors?”

 

“Sure. Cocoa, Cora, could you help me?”

 

Between the three of them, everyone was given a snack of their favorite food. But there was a problem. Where was Alex? In all the commotion, no one noticed that he had slipped out.

 

“Koko, did Alex say where he was going?”

 

“No, I didn’t even notice he was gone. That bothers me since I’m supposed to be able to keep an eye on everyone.”

 

“Well, he isn’t one of your charges, but I can understand what you mean.”

 

“I have an idea of where he went.”

 

“Can I come with?”

 

“If it’s ok with Koko, you can Rabbit.”

 

With Koko’s permission, Rabbit and Amanda went in search of Alex. The logical place of course was where she had first met him. They retraced the route they used. But when they asked some of the other alley cats, no one had seen him. Amanda admitted to Rabbit that she hadn’t noticed any signs that he had gone back that way, but she was really hoping that he had. Rabbit suggested going back to Koko’s a different way. Maybe they could pick up some traces.

 

It was a very scared and nervous Amanda that walked into Koko’s place. Even the other animals they passed on the way back hadn’t seen Alex, or any other kitty for that matter. Koko suggested a search party. Something was not right. She divided her charges up into groups of two and had one of the crows go with each group. If Alex was found, the crows could sound the alert.

 

Since Amanda was new to that part of the forest, it was suggested that she team up with Koko. Although it was early in the day, it was hard to see because of all the foliage. Thanks to Koko’s eyesight and knowledge of her home territory, the trek was relatively easy. They steered clear of as many brambles as they could but they also checked each one as they passed by. Amanda kept her nose in the air, in hopes of picking up Alex’s scent.

 

It only took about an hour before Amanda picked up a familiar scent. She pointed out the direction to Koko and hurried towards their friend.

 

“Alex!!!”

 

“Hi”

 

Koko had JuJu, the crow sound the alert and he also found Rabbit and had him take everyone back to the cave. Koko and Amanda could take it from here.

 

“Why did you leave?”

 

“I was just in the way. You were having so much fun that no one even noticed me. I was with you, but everyone looked at you as the great adventurer. I suddenly just got very lonely and unwanted.”

 

“We came and found you, didn’t we?”

 

“Yes, but only after you had dazzled everyone and told the whole adventure.”

 

At this point, Koko intervened. She could see that Alex was very hurt inside. Amanda had indeed taken center stage and Alex wasn’t even mentioned. She pointed this out to Amanda who did apologize to him. But Koko went one step further.

 

“Amanda, have you stopped to consider Alex’s feelings? From what you told us about your adventures, it was where you wanted to go. Maybe Alex might have wanted to go someplace different sometime. I’ll let you think on that while we head back to my place. I don’t want both of you lost out here.”

 

Once back at Koko’s, Amanda and Alex stayed outside for a little bit talking. Amanda admitted that most of the adventures were her ideas. Alex said he didn’t mind that, but it hurt him that she never even bothered to ask him if he might have wanted to go someplace different.

 

Amanda sidled up next to Alex and said she was sorry. They went in to Koko’s to say goodbye.

 

“Ok you two, go have some more adventures, but next time, tell me about Alex’s travels.”

Spine tingling
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Kittys adventures

Spine Tingling

 

Amanda didn’t know Koko but Alex had met the matriarch. Actually it was more the other way around since Rabbit was playing with Alex and missed curfew. Koko sent him straight home and reminded Alex that little bunnies can’t stay out real late like kitties can!

 

“Do you know where Koko lives?”

 

“No, but I don’t think we’ll have much trouble finding her place. Everyone in Forestland knows her.”

 CRAACKKK!!!!!!!      

“Mandy, we better find a place to hole up until after the rain.”

 

It’s a good thing they are still little kitties since the only place nearby was a small cave. Well, the entrance was small but there was quite a bit of room inside. Both Amanda and Alex found a ledge big enough to lie down on and stay off of the wet floor. The storm didn’t last long, but it sounded like every tree in the forest was collapsing. Every crack of thunder echoed inside their little hideaway. The noise finally stopped but neither one moved for a long time. They would have stayed where they were but first an acorn then a squirrel came flying through the entrance.

 

“Where’d it go?”

 

“Where did what go?”

 

“My nut. It rolled in here, now I can’t find it.”

 

Amanda found it and batted it out of the cave. As she did so, she noticed the rain had stopped. Waking up Alex, they headed out towards the middle of the forest to see if they could find Koko. A short distance away they entered a clearing where a human family had been camping. The rain had ended their fun and they were packing up to leave. But before they finished, one of the human children spotted the kitties.

 

“Mommy, look at the cute kittens. Can we take them home?”

 

“No, they don’t look like house kitties, but since we’re leaving, you can leave them some of the leftovers. They look like they’re hungry.”

 

Neither Amanda nor Alex heard this exchange, but as soon as the humans left, they walked over to the food that was left behind. Both kitties were concentrating so hard on finding Koko that they forgot to look for food. After filling up, they headed back into the woods, but had no clue which way to go. But, a loud commotion in front of them drew their attention.

 

“What’s all the noise about?”

 

“Didn’t you hear the loud noise from the sky earlier? It knocked some big branches in front of Koko’s home!!”

 

Amanda tried to find out the name of the little fox that explained the ruckus, but he was off and running too fast. At least they knew they were headed in the right direction. It didn’t take long to get to the source. Indeed there was a large branch right in front of Koko’s door. You could hear her inside, wondering how she would get out. The animals on the outside were trying to move the branches, but they were just too big.

 

“Hey, where is that beaver? He could chew through the larger parts.”

 

“But what good would that do? We still can’t move these!!”

 

“You can’t, but we can. These claws aren’t just for looks you know.”

 

Rabbit had been out gathering up grass for supper and as soon as he got there, he was sent off to find beaver. To make the work easier, beaver brought his whole family. After cutting the branches into smaller pieces, Amanda and Alex used their claws to move them away from Koko’s entrance.

 

“Thank you, everyone!! It took a lot of work, but at least now I can go in and out of my home. Alex, bring your friend and come in for a spell. I haven’t had company in a long time. Tell me all about the outside world.

 

“Ok, but let us first help beaver get these branches over to his place. He can use them to build homes for the kids.”

 

“Sounds fair. Thanks for being here, your claws came in handy.”

 

Between Amanda, Alex, and the beavers, the area around Koko’s place was quickly cleared. All the other forest kritters helped as much as they could also. When they got back to Koko’s place, she looked a lot better. The excitement had scared her so much her quills were standing straight up. But, now that the problem was cleared up and no one had gotten hurt, she was back to her jovial old self. After accepting Koko’s invitation, they walked in and made themselves comfortable. All of Koko’s charges gathered round to hear about their exciting adventures.

Bunny with an Attitude
Mood:  mischievious
Topic: kritter kapers
 

 

The Attitude Adjuster

 

"INCOMING!!!!"

 

Bob had just gotten the G out when the missile with the chipped blue coloring smashed into the door inches away from Lisa.

 

"Ewwww, What is that smell? Mustard gas?"

 

"No Lisa, that is the unmistaken odor of Sulphur. We've been egged!"

 

Indeed, on the cement below where the ‘bomb' had hit was the broken shells of what appeared to be, of all things, an Easter egg! Who has been saving their eggs this long? It was the middle of July and the town was going through an epidemic of rotten eggs and they had all been decorated.

 

Meanwhile, across town, a mother is concerned. Her youngest has not returned home.

 

"What's with that boy? Ever since Georgy saw that picture in the paper, he's been acting like a total stranger. I am going to have a talk with his father when he gets back from his food run."

 

Toonis used to be such a quiet place. There was no crime to speak of, but lately, there had been a rash of egg throwing. No one could figure it out. What made it so odd was that it was Easter eggs flying in July! Who would save them that long? And why?

 

Georgy's dad got home first.

 

"PC, you have got to talk to your youngest. He has been acting real strange lately."

 

"Yes, I know. He seems to be gone a lot lately also. I'll talk to him when he gets home."

 

About an hour later, Georgy wandered in. He looked like he had been ‘rode hard and put away wet'. Momma sent him to bed. In his condition talking would have been useless. Meanwhile PC, as momma called him, went back to his desk to get ready for the upcoming season. Although he only worked out of the home one day a year, it took a lot of preparation.

 

"Momma!!!"

 

"Yes?"

 

"Has Georgy been using this computer? I've told all the kids that I can't have them playing in here, there are a lot of names and address's and I can't lose them!"

 

"Well, I heard the printer going the other day, but I thought it was you in here. I was fixing supper and not really paying much attention."

 

The next day, Georgy and his sisters and brother (ten sisters, one brother), were heading out to play. Momma stopped him and told him his dad wanted to speak to him in the den. Poor Georgy, he looked like he had just lost his last friend. He knew what papa wanted. It had to come out sometime.

 

"Georgy, have you been playing on this computer? You know I need it for work."

 

"Sorry Papa. I just needed a copy of the deliveries."

 

"Why georgy? Why do you need to know who I deliver to? You're too young to take over the business."

 

"I don't want to take it over. I saw this picture in the paper and I got very upset. Every year you hand out all this chocolate and the first thing those people do is bite off the ears! It's not right! We rabbits need our ears, why do they do that? Since they can't understand me when I talk, I only had one way to get my message across. I've been saving those eggs for a long time."

 

Pc, or as we know him, Peter Cottontail, typed up a news release explaining that the egg thrower was just trying to convince people not to bite the ears off the chocolate Easter bunnies.

 

 

 

Amanda Rides again
Mood:  lazy
Topic: kritter kapers

 

Easter Secrets

 

As Amanda and Alex were walking through the woods, they happened to pass Harley's big tree. Harley was the master owl and he ran the forest newspaper. All the news fit for the animal kingdom he would always say. He made sure the paper came out once a month to keep the kritters informed of the good news as well as the human element. That is how everybody knew it was time to find a new home when the humans decided to build the housing development.

 

Since he traveled mostly at night, he could check the very early editions of the town paper. He also learned that only part of the forest would be used and the rest would be protected. He made sure everyone knew about the upcoming construction, but he also pointed out the fact that the humans valued the forest and the animals.

 

"Amanda, look at this!! Harley just issued a special edition of the Leaves and Grass Gazette."

 

"Wow!! Our very own Rabbit got to travel with the Easter Bunny!!"

 

Indeed, Koko's family was getting around. It was well known that Koko used to be Easter Bunny's sidekick, but had to retire. Rabbit was offered a chance to ride and this was big news! Amanda read the headline, then opened the paper to see the whole story.

 

**

 

Eggactly!

 

Sometimes Koko's rabbit would tell her stories. But some of them were just totally outrageous! Many years in the past, Koko would travel along to help the Easter bunny, but time and one too many quills growing in the wrong direction put a stop to it. Koko was the most senior porcupine and she adopted many of the little creatures from the forest. She had a large cave and plenty of room. Rabbit was one of the adoptee's. She tried to give him a name but rabbit said he preferred being just called Rabbit.

 

After one particularly rough Easter, Rabbit told Koko that he would take her place the next year. Koko talked to the Easter bunny and got an ok. Supplied with several of Koko's quills, Rabbit was set to go. Hiding Easter eggs is not the easy job humans pretend that it is! Especially when the order comes in to put them inside someplace. Santa Claus comes down chimneys, but bunny's use the door and some humans keep them locked. But, Koko's quills are very effective at picking them.

 

After every trip, Rabbit would fill Koko in on the latest adventure. He would hop from one story to another. He talked so fast that Koko threatened to send him to auction school.

 

"Slow down a bit Rabbit. I'm trying to keep up."

 

"But Koko, you wouldn't believe some of these places! We went to one and I almost got eaten by this huge horse!"

 

"In the house?"

 

"Yes!!!!"

 

"Did he say anything?"

 

"He just kept barking and barking. I thought he would wake everybody up! But the Easter bunny told me that the humans would be gone until later that day. I used the longest quill to protect myself."

 

"Uh, Rabbit, that was a dog, not a horse."

 

"Well he was as big as a house!"

 

This was only one of his adventures. Some of them got even more far fetched. But, nobody ever got hurt. With eight rabbit's feet, they had the luck of the Irish with them. Well, they had the luck of the Irish because they had a guest ride with them a few times.

 

McTavish, the head leprechaun, disguised himself as a well-dressed human and walked through the local village. As he was walking down the sidewalk he happened to catch an advertisement on one of the TV's in a window. They were talking about Lucky Charms cereal! He wanted to investigate this closer so he contacted the Easter bunny and made arrangements to have one of his fellow leprechaun's ride along.

 

That made deliveries much easier since now there were three of them! It was also a rather odd year considering that the Leprechaun's colored some of the eggs.

 

"Koko, we delivered some pretty eggs that had rainbows on them!"

 

"Wow! I bet the human kids were surprised."

 

"Oh, we didn't give them to the humans. These were for the little leprechaun's."

 

"Now that is unusual."

 

It was a very different year but it started a whole new tradition. So next time you're trying to catch a leprechaun, don't be surprised if he leads you over to a cauldron full of colored eggs!

 

**

 

"Alex, let's take this paper back to Mom."

 

With a nod of his head, they headed back to see mom and the rest of Amanda's family. As they were walking, Amanda suggested a visit with Koko might be in order.

indoor window seat
Mood:  hungry
Topic: Kittys adventures

Indoor Window Seat

 

Amanda was ready to go, but Mama wouldn’t let them leave until they ate a good meal.

 

“I don’t care if it’s just across the street! You don’t go til you’ve eaten. Same goes for you young man.”

 

“Al, that’s mom for ya. Always wants to make sure we’ve eaten. But it just shows she cares.”

 

“I know. Thanks mom, I appreciate it. But, we better get going so we aren’t too late getting to the humans.”

 

They promised to come back to eat. But first they had to get sissy to the humans, so with CeCe in the middle, they headed towards Sara’s. It was going to be slow going because CeCe was hurting and stopped often to rest. At least she was able to walk on her own. It would have been good if they could have gotten Sara to come to them, but neither Amanda nor Alex thought they could lead her there.

 

“How far do we have to go?”

 

“Not very far. You can make it. The little girl there will take care of you like she did for me.”

 

“Wow! A human fixed you up?”

 

“Yes, and they will you also.”

 

“They even put food out for us.”

 

As Alex was filling CeCe in on the food, Amanda told her more details of her visit to the doctor. Then CeCe looked up and froze in her tracks! When she stopped, her aides had to also. It was just in time as a couple of humans on bikes whizzed past. CeCe didn’t want to move, but Alex stepped out ahead and made sure the coast was clear.

 

“Come on Ce, It’s safe.”

 

“You sure?”

 

“Yes, there is nothing for a long ways. But let’s hurry a bit, just to make sure.”

 

Alex started guiding everyone towards the wooded area. It would be safer because humans couldn’t ride bikes through the trees. Since cats have a very good sense of direction, it didn’t take long to find Sara’s house. Alex wasn’t sure how the humans would take having three suddenly show up so Amanda said she would go up ahead. As expected there was a bowl of food waiting, but she didn’t see the little human.

 

“Miss Kitty!!! You’re back!”

 

“Hi”

 

In the ways of the kitty, Amanda rubbed her head against Sara’s leg. She even let Sara pet her. But then she started to run down to get CeCe. Part way across the yard she looked back to make sure the little human (Sara) was still there.

 

“Why did you go away?”

 

“I’ll be right back”

 

Somehow Sara understood and sat down on the steps. In the meantime, Amanda went down and between her and Alex, they guided CeCe up to where Sara was sitting. They hadn’t even gotten halfway across the yard, when Sara saw them and came running down.

 

“Kitty is hurt. You were bringing her to me?”

 

“Yes”

 

With an imploring set of meows, both Alex and Amanda guided CeCe to Sara.

 

“It’s ok sissy, this human will take care of you. We’ll be here off and on.”

 

Sara picked up CeCe and carried her into the house. Amanda and Alex followed her as far as the door. A few minutes later, Sara came back out.

 

“Mommy said we can take her to the doctor.”

 

“Thank you”

 

Both Alex and Amanda headed back into the woods after a fond thank you and found their friends. Neither kitty wanted to go very far because they hoped the human would bring CeCe back after being taken to the place that fixed kitties. But they didn’t come back for a very long time and Amanda was starting to get really worried.

 

“What if they can’t fix sissy?”

 

“She’ll be ok. Some things just take a bit longer.”

 

Alex tried to reassure Amanda but in fact he was just as concerned but didn’t want to get Amanda worked up any more than she was. It was only a couple of hours, but to a kitty it seemed like an eternity. At long last they heard the car doors close.

 

“Amanda, the humans are back!”

 

Both Amanda and Alex rushed up to the house when Sara came out. She had the same box that Amanda had been in.

 

“The doctor said she needs a lot of rest. But mommy also asked dad and they said I could keep her in the house. I’m going to leave her out here for a few minutes so you two can visit.”

 

“CeCe, you’re home!! I know you can’t move yet. How do you feel?”

 

“I’m tired. They stuck this long sharp thing in me and it hurt, but then I went to sleep. Next thing I knew I was here.”

 

“The little human is going to let you live inside with them, but we’ll come visit often, ok?”

 

CeCe tried to answer but she fell asleep. Both Amanda and Alex gave her a kiss and said they would be back later. With that, they headed into the woods to tell their friends she was home and safe.