June 11, 2018
Meet Eric
Eric is a squirrel in the Landmark Tribe. They live deep in the Wooded Lands in some big ancient trees.
Eric is the eldest son of Mama Nut and Kahoona, the leader of the Landmark Tribe. His grandfather is Grappy and his grandmother is Granny Pecan. Granny Pecan makes the best hazelnut pie in all of the Wooded Lands!
Eric has a sister (called a squirreless) named Magnolia. He and Magnolia are of courting age, but Magnolia hasn’t found her mate yet. Eric is courting Hazel.
Eric is just old enough to consider himself out of the Crunchies (the word for “teenage squirrels”), although most of the younger Crunchies consider him the eldest of them.
He orders his thoughts carefully before speaking. He is considerate of others and gentle to the squawlers (babies or very young squirrels). Eric is always respectful. He helps lead others in what is right.
Here is an excerpt from “The Busting Berry Bath,” in which Eric tries to encourage Chip, who is narrating the story:
“I was held in the spell of newness that encased the nest. I’d never seen an egg hatch. The mama bird showed up and settled on the nest, feeding the older baby birds and preening the hatchling. Precious.
“You saved it,” I heard a voice as I tried to slip away. It was Eric. I grabbed my baskets and quickly started filling them with berries. Eric came near me and helped. He tossed berries into the basket without missing just like Granny with the nuts.
I shrugged.
“All life is worth fighting for,” Eric nodded as he gently placed the last berry to crown one basketload. “Even if it’s just a bird.”
I knew he was using Woody’s words to make a point, but I missed it.
“Thanks for helping,” I offered. He gave me the basket and I carried both to Granny Pecan. The image of that tiny little bird hatching out of his shell – I didn’t even know if it was a boy baby or a girl baby – was so neat. Maybe I did save it. I felt blessed. And we hurried back for the best pie in the whole wide wonderful world!
So, that was the story of how I, Chip, Crunchie of the Landmark Tribe in the wooded lands, was rained on by the Busting Berry Bath while harvesting toppings for a heavenly hazelnut pie.”
Oh, oops, Chip forgot, the full story isn’t here! You have to read Chip tell the whole story in “The Busting Berry Bath!”
Thanks for reading!
Type at you next time…
~Nancy Tart