A Basket Full of Magic
Read by Rachel Lynn Anderice
Written by Karen Backway
Chapter 17 - Sticky Battle
Mama Owl was right. A long eagle screech, at dawn, broke the silence.
“Dust tornados coming across the fields,” called Galen. “Headed straight this way.”
“Radar, alert the hive. Spunky, hide and keep Molly and Abby safe,” instructed Mama Owl. “Everyone else, take your posts and hide as best as you can. Do not do anything until I say buttercup.”
Mama Owl stood alone on shore. Ten Quillza swooshed over the river and landed in front of her.
“We have no quarrel with you old lady owl. Where are the orange rats? We want their buttons. The magic ones,” demanded Gruff tossing two small buttons at Mama Owl’s feet. “These ones don’t work.”
As soon as The Quillza landed, four of them fell into a gopher hole, deep and snug enough to stop them from spinning or climbing out. They were stuck.
“Buttercup,” called Mama Owl and she flew out of firing range.
Chipmunks, foxes and squirrels hidden in nearby trees and bushes threw small rocks at The Quillza. “You are not welcome here. Go away and never return,” they hollered.
Moments later, hundreds of hive-bees arrived and started stinging. The Quillza did not know where to fire their quills.
Six Quillza swooshed back across the river to a nearby ridge.
Just then, Bizzie, Bart and Buster arrived.
“I hope we are not too late,” called Bizzie. “Missus heard one of the lodge guests say they cannot spin when sticky.”
“That’s it. Honey. It’s sticky,” cried Molly. “It will stop The Quillza from spinning. Quick, everyone, make honey balls.”
“Beavers have terrific aim with their tails,” Bizzie explained. “Load them up with honey balls. When The Quillza get close enough we will knock ‘em down. They will not know what hit them.”
Bizzie punched the air he was so excited.
“Hey careful, you almost punched me Bizz,” complained Bart.
A few minutes later, Galen called, “Here they come again. They are upon you!”
“Ready boys?” called Bizzie. “Hold… and FIRE!”
All three beavers flung their honeyball loaded tails. Three dozen honey balls flew through the air and smacked into three Quillza. Stickied-up, they fell to the ground.
“YESSS! That’s three more down,” cheered Bizzie, punching the air again. “Load us up again. Let’s finish the job.”
Spunky with Molly and Abby on his back, watched The Quillza fall. Spunky’s pendant rattled, <<BACK ONE TURN>>
Mama Owl flew overhead, trying to stop the remaining three The Quillza from leaving shore. The beavers fired another round of honey balls. The Quillza fired their quills directly at Mama Owl.
