Bubbles and Lost Dreams
Read by Rachel Lynn Anderice
Written by Karen Backway
Chapter 9 - Some Goat Expertise
An eagle screech marked the morning. Radar came in from a short patrol.
“I think you are right, Molly. The river seems slower today, even with the heavy rain we had yesterday,” said Radar.
“Yes, I’ve noticed that too,” said Mama Bear. “This past week, the river has slowed a lot. Something strange is going on far up river, far beyond The Champlain Gate. I've not seen the river this low for a very long time.”
“Something’s just not right. It’s very puzzling,” grumbled Mama Bear. “This land will never heal, with so much mischief going on.”
“How does honey defeat The Quillza?” asked Mama Bear.
“It makes them a sticky mess. Then they cannot spin and they cannot fire their quills,” explained Molly. “We captured and disarmed a dozen of them back in spring. Then we let them return to their homes, near The Champlain Gate.”
“How did you meet Spunky?” asked Mama Bear.
“He rescued Abby and I from the river after our tree toppled in the thunderstorm that caused the flooding back in spring. We would not have survived had he not pulled us from the river.”
“Was he alone?” asked Mama Bear.
“Yes, he was and he has been with us ever since,” answered Molly.
“He is a great friend then,” said Mama Bear.
“Oh yes, the best friend ever,” Molly said smiling.
“Spunky, do you howl?” asked Mama Bear.
“Not much,” said Spunky.
“There has been some howling in the ridges these past few weeks. I wonder if a pack of wolves might have moved in,” commented Mama Bear. “The howls are usually solitary, but the other day just at dusk, there were three howls in a row, but I’ve not heard any since. You are big like a wolf, but far too kind and playful to be one.”
“Are the wolves dangerous?” asked Abby.
“Not unless you do them wrong, Abby. They keep to themselves,” answered Mama Bear. “They are not unwelcome. I just like to keep track of activity in my lands.”
“Howls from where in the land?” asked Spunky.
“It’s hard to know for sure,” answered Mama Bear. “But I would think not too far from the ridges, otherwise it wouldn’t echo quite so much.”
“My dear little friends, you are welcome here anytime. But I believe Spunky is restless to move along. He is looking for something or someone.” Mama Bear turned and lumbered away, but returned a few minutes later, with a basket full of honey.
Mama Bear gave Molly and Abby a great big hug. “You may find this helpful on the remainder of your journey,” said Mama Bear. “Use it wisely. Safe travels friends.”
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The group headed out later that morning.
“She heard the howls the other night,” Radar commented suspiciously. “She knows something she is not sharing.”
“I thought so too,” said Spunky.
“Mama Bear is very generous and would not deceive us,” argued Billy. “Maybe she is bound to some secret. She is the keeper of our history.”
“Just like Mama Owl,” added Molly. “She keeps our history for the forest too.”
