Squirrel and Possum were moping around in an old hollow log
one rainy afternoon. “Possum, I am bored. Let’s go out in the rain and have
some fun. Let’s explore!!” “Well, I was just going to try a nap, but OK, I’m
with you.”
Off they went in the rain down a path that eventually took
them to a small stream. After having a long drink, they decided to climb an old
dead tree nearby and see what they could see from the top. About half way up,
they found a dark hole and decided to explore inside the tree. Squirrel went
first since he was the smallest and by far the most inquisitive. They poked
around for a bit, and then were startled and frightened when a voice called “Help!
Help me please” and the voice got weaker. They cautiously looked into a cavity
and there was an old woodpecker, weak from starvation and no water, and nearly blind. “Oh” cried possum! “You frightened us.
Can we help?”
Well, the woodpecker was surprised that the furry ones would
even think of helping her, but felt a spark of hope. “I am thirsty and very
hungry, and can’t seem to fly to find food or water. I don’t think you can
really help me, but at least I can die with someone with me.”. “Die? We won’t let
you die. We will get some water and food and take care of you.” And so their
work began. First the friends had to find something to bring in some water, and
then find some food. There was plenty of water outside the tree because it was
raining, but nothing to collect it in. Then, Squirrel spotted a large acorn. He
chewed the nut out and left a perfect cup where the nut had been. Carefully,
the friends filled the cup with water and climbed the tree. It spilled out.
Then they took the nut cup up to the hole and filled it with rain running down
the trunk. IT WORKED!. Now, they carefully carried the water to the back of the
hollow where the woodpecker had her first drink in days. “Oh thank you children” she said, and fell
into a deep sleep.
The friends then went out and found seeds and some grubs.
Squirrel packed the seeds into his cheeks, while possum made a pouch from a
leaf and loaded it with grubs.
When they got back to the hollow, the woodpecker was awake,
and as she ate for the first time in many days she thanked them again. “I never
thought furries would help an old bird like me. In fact, I have never even had
a furry friend. I am so lucky.” “And you don’t have to worry. Every day we will
bring more food and water for you until you get well enough to go out on your
own.” Woodpecker thought “But I am blind, and may never be able to fly again.” But
she didn’t say anything. After the boys left, she crept to the opening in the
tree and realized she could still see shadows and smell the woods around her.
She flew away to a distant tree, and there rested until she was strong enough
to hunt for her own food. Old age and weakness caught her, though, and she died
peacefully in her sleep a week later.
When the friends got back to the tree the next afternoon,
they found the hollow empty and wondered where the woodpecker went. “Do you
suppose she is alright Squirrel?” said Possum. “Yes, she has probably has found
her family and is at peace.”
And one week later she was.
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