The adventures of Little One and Friend

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There once was a little Hedgehog. She would get up every morning to see the sun shine through her window, it always said hello as she smiled back. Nothing mattered when there was that little girl, she didnt care when she was a little hedgehog because the sun always was smiling through her window.

But on this particular day when she woke up and looked out her window to see the clouds hanging over the hills and fields she was sad. Her little friend came over and said hello but she could not hide her gloom, it showed through the clothing she wore, it showed in her eyes it showed in the way her head was cradled by her hands and the way her bristles didnt rattle when he walked in as they usually did.

So he asked - why so gloomy little one?

And she said - I am not little anymore, the sun does not shine through my window past the fields and hills that I can see.

And he said- dont worry little one the sun sometimes has to make way for the clouds to keep the fields green and the trees bearing fruit. It keeps the earth moist and the rivers flowing.
You would be sad if the trees were no more, you would cry for the rain then. When the flowers are gone. When the sun shines through your window again and again.
And very soon I have heard -the clouds will be no more.....

She sat up and did not cradle her head in her hands. - I wish it would rain every day - she exclaimed! I wish to keep the rivers flowing and the trees bearing fruit, I wish to keep the soil moist and the flowers in bloom.

So they walked hand in hand to the wisest oldest man in the town.Mr Monroe....
Knock, knock said the door as they tapped it with their knuckles.

Who is there? enquired Mr Monroe.

Its just us Mr Monroe, friend and little one.

Oh of course it is - Mr Monroe said. If I did not know who you were I would not be as wise and old as I am now would I?

And they laughed at his joke.

Once inside they all had tea and half moon chocolate cookies baked by Mr Monroes wife Mrs Monroe (also the oldest and wisest woman in the town, but aside from that she was also whispered to be the town gossip )

These cookies are delicious Mrs Monroe said little one, but we have come here to find out something else. We want to know how we can keep the rain falling to keep the rivers flowing and the trees bearing fruit, the soil moist and the flowers in bloom.

Yes - agreed Friend. That is what we wish to do.

Well said Mr Monroe - what an interesting question.Let me think about a good answer for a while and with that he got out his nicotine patch and stuck it on his arm.
Hmmmmm, well what got you two thinking about saving the plants and keeping the rain falling then? Personally I agree something must be done to stop the sun shining the whole bloody time.And soon too, I have skin cancer on my hands and legs from when I was a little boy - I didnt know that it was bad for me, just like smoking - he said patting the nicotine patch again lovingly.I would be in the sun all day with only factor 5 suncream on my face and none on my body at all.

At this little one and friend both gasped simultainiously. NO!- they said.

Yes its true - he sadly sighed.

But how did you become so old and wise then? asked Friend.

Good genes replied Mr Monroe.

Ahhh said Little one -does that mean we are a lost case then?

Probably not said Mr Monroe - I would imagine if we get an answer to the rain question we will probably be around for a while longer yet.

Oh where will we ever find an answer sighed Friend looking all forlorn.

Careful Friend said Little One, if you dont watch out the smile will be gone from your face hidden behind all that gloom.

Yes, she is right said Mr Monroe - not all is lost, there is still a chance to keep the rain falling and the trees bearing fruit, the flowers in bloom and the rivers flowing free.
The chance is there if anyone would take it. A chance for you and me to make a difference .
We have to take drastic steps said Mr Monroe but you have to keep quiet about all of this because the sun can hear us if we talk too loudly....gesturing with his arms and index finger. Things arent cut and dried for us hedgehogs. We have to try our hardest to keep the balance. Even now I feel the change coming but there is one thing you can do to help, - taking a deep breath he carried on. It is a little known hole down at the bottom of the drainage system down on old mine road.

Old Mine Road they both gasped out loud! But no one goes there anymore said Little One!
They dont go because of the radiation levels.

My mommie said I would die if I went down there said Friend.

Dont worry you are young and I have a special root for you to eat - it will help protect you from otherwise certain death - it comes from the weeping willow tree down by the trinkle river.
Mrs Monroe ground it especially for this purpose he leaned forward to say. Otherwise my bristles would stand on edge at the thought of either one of you being harmed. But this must be done. Otherwise it would spell the certain end of the world as we know it. I am not denying it wont be very difficult and you will have to be very brave. But I believe in both of you because you want to make a difference to keep the rain falling, the flowers blooming, the trees bearing fruit and the rivers flowing free.

What do you say? he asked to their stunned silence.

Little one and Friend looked at each other and after Little One nodding Friend addressed Mr Monroe

We will go - he said gravely. We will go to keep the rain falling, the flowers blooming, the trees bearing fruit and the river flowing free.

Mrs Monroe came in carrying two glasses made of bark and in each was a glowing blue liquid that smelt like strawberry jam.
Mr Monroe slapped his belly and said Oh you are amazing Mrs Monroe can I also have some? .

No she said firmly - you are on a diet remember and I already gave you half moon chocolate cookies today. That is much more than one serving of fat and sugar. And besides you wouldnt eat your dinner. We both know how filling weeping willow margie potion is.
At which he sat back and sighed looking all sheepish.

Drink up Little one and Friend you will need all the strength you can get.I will give you a bottle each to drink once there again. As the effects wear off within 8 hours. But careful not to drink too much as it has strong and dangerous sideeffects that I would not wish on even a mouse.

dumdumddedum....and the adventures of Little One and Friend will continue at an indefinite date.When I am feeling silly again so you probably wont have to wait that long.