“Wilford, do you think it’s coming to eat us?” asked Toby.
“I’m not sure. The last time something big came this way, we lost Artie,” replied the Woden.
Imagine being small and on the ground out of sight of anything over a foot high. That’s the life of a forest floor folk. Many of these folk are mushrooms, flowers, or magical creatures such as Wilford.
“I wish the outsiders would follow the code and leave us well enough alone,” said the shroomie.
“Toby, they don’t follow the code because they are from outside,” Wilford remarked.
A bobcat might eat a rabbit, or a fox might snatch a mouse. Because of the code, the forest folk live in peace.
“Do you think it could be a two-legger, a human? They are the worst,” bemoaned Toby.
“It sounds wrong to be a human. Most likely is a bear or one of those spotted beasts the humans keep,” Wilford said.
“Not a cow, they’re clumsy,” muttered the shroomie.
Grandfather Stump, the oldest tree in the woods, tells of how a simple mushroom once saved the life of a great bear.
“If it is a bear, I hope it’s Patrick. I so love his stories,” Toby offered.
Once, a pack of wolves chased a wounded bear through the forest. A little shroomie shot a cloud of dust spores into the eyes of the pack.
“You may be in luck today. I can hear Patrick’s humming,” said the woden.
After the wolves cleared their eyes, the bear had hightailed it back to the safety of his den.
“Hello, my friends, I’ve missed you so much and have come with gifts,” boomed the bear’s voice.
“Patrick, I’m so happy to see you,” cried Toby
“I see your wolf bites have healed,” remarked Wilford.
“Indeed, they have. Let’s have some honey cake I brought, and I’ll tell you a story,” said the bear.
Grandfather Stump reminds all the forest children that when they work together, they can surpass even the largest of the beasts.
Folksburywoods 
Leave a comment