TWIG STORIES ~ BOOK EXCERPT, CHAPTERS 1-3 LEAF & THE SKY OF FIRE

TWIG STORIES, Vol. 2 LEAF & THE SKY OF FIRE

TWIG STORIES, Vol. 2 LEAF & THE SKY OF FIRE

CHAPTER ONE

Whose Home Is It?

Tears

stung her pale, gray eyes. Star watched her father tighten his

shoulder strap, twist a braided rope around his waist, and carefully stuff poison darts in a pouch. At last he was ready to leave. He kissed Stars leafy, silvery hair. She bravely squared her shoulders. He tried to hug his pale, trembling son, but Moon angrily pushed him away, so sadly he turned to his father and gently squeezed his arm. He whispered softly to the frail, old Twig, You know what to do if I dont return. Stars father left them. He disappeared among dying trees to join the others. Soon, stick creatures armed with darts, ropes, rocks, and whips moved stealthily beside him. They spoke only in murmurs. But the brittle needles revealed their wary steps. Wavy shadows gave them away. The deadly swarm gathered in the forest and surrounded them. The North Twigs fate was decided.

Very far away from the dying North Forest, an impish Old Seeder Twig practiced being invisible. His green, leafy hair blended with the leaves of the thin limb where he crouched. Stiff fronds sprouted at the limbs tip and hid his head. He narrowed his large, emerald-colored eyes, and curled his brown toes into grooves in the rough bark. The Old Seeder where he crouched was the tallest and oldest tree in the vast forest. He was Leaf, a stick creature. A large, roomy knothole in the massive, ancient tree was Leafs home, his familys haven. Leaf felt smug. His Twig skills were excellent. If he stayed perfectly still, he looked just like the tree. This is good, Leaf thought, to hide so well. Leaf was ready to be a hunter in the forest. Yet, instead of hunting, he was stuck in his haven. He had to care for his tiny twin brothers, Buddy
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and Burba. His Mumma and Pappo had taken his little sister, Fern, to gather nuts and berries, and had left them here all morning. Leaf looked into the haven through its knothole-doorway and frowned. Taking care of his annoying twin brothers was Leafs least favorite thing to do. Buddy wasnt so bad. He was the calm one, with golden eyes and tiny, green, round sprouts that burst from his head. But Burba (who looked just like Buddy, except for his wild orange eyes) is the worst Twig ever, Leaf thought with dismay. Leaf, sighed, stood up, and reluctantly stepped through the knothole into their large hollow. He leaned against the wall, crossed his arms, glowered at the twins playing on the floor, and sulked. Feelers poked through a small, high knothole above Leafs head, and disrupted his mood. The knobby hole had been left unplugged so that the sunbeams could stretch inside the haven, and the morning breeze could swirl around. A curious, orange-speckled stinkbug was exploring. Leaf stared dismally at the slowly creeping creature then scowled and waved his hands to shoo it away. The stinkbug hesitated for a moment then crawled all the way through the knothole and squatted on the wall. It rubbed its back legs together, rolled its bulgy, dark eyes then continued to scratch its way down the smooth wooden wall to the floor. Buddy and Burba had been playing happilymaking hand shadows with the sunbeams and swatting the gold dust billows. But now they giggled with delight as their bizarre, new guest refused to leave their home. The twins scooted closer to it. The glittery bug was nearly as large as they were, and certainly more interesting than dust billows. The twins were just asking for trouble. Watch out, its a stinkbug! warned Leaf. Better leave it alone! Better leave it alone, Burba! repeated Buddy with his funny, garbled way of speaking. He rocked back and forth on his bottom, pulled his toes, and giggled good-naturedly. Burba grinned mischievously, glanced at Leaf then back at the bug. The evil twins eyes gleamed wickedly with joy. It was another wonderful opportunity to disobey his older brother. Youre gonna be sorry! warned Leaf. He glared at Burba. Burba reached out his pudgy, short finger and poked the stinkbug right between its eyes. The bugs antennae circled feverishly. It spread its legs wide in a defensive stance, rolled its bulgy eyes furiously at Burba, and
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fluttered its stubby wings. Then it squatted lower and pressed its black belly against the floor to appear fat and even more alarming. Better stop now, Burba! Leaf spoke with a low, menacing tone and cautiously stepped past the stinkbug to pull Burba away. Stop! he shouted. Burba never stopped. He rarely obeyed his older Twig brother. Burba giggled, stuck out his hand, and wriggled his fingers in the stinkbugs face. Leaf knew what would happen next. The stinkbug lifted its pointy, black butt high up in the air and bounced it vigorously up and down. It spewed a foul-smelling, invisible spray. The twins shrieked in disgust at the horrible stink! Before the stench could completely blanket them, Leaf sprinted across the floor, swept up the two howling twins, and hurtled through the knothole. He paused on the porch-branch just outside to throw Burba on his back and Buddy on his hip. Hold on tight! Leaf cried out. They were very high. Their haven was halfway up the enormous cedar. Hastily, Burba scrambled onto Leafs shoulders, perched on his head, and gripped his green leaves. Leaf held Buddy with one arm. That left him only one hand with which to climb down the tree. Buddy clung to Leafs chest and squeezed his eyes shut. Heights frightened him. After a brief, alarmed glimpse at the stinkbug which now aggressively crawled towards them, Leaf dove headlong through the Old Seeders long limbs to the mossy forest floor below. Needles whipped past Leafs head and stung his eyes, but he was able to skillfully catch limb after limb with only one hand as they fell toward the ground. Buddy moaned with fright at the speed with which they rushed through the tree. As they neared the roots, Leaf and the twins burst through a clump of fern-like fronds, tumbled off a low branch, and fortunately plopped right onto an oversized, white mushroom so that their clumsy landing was a soft one. Burbas fists had been clenched so tightly to Leafs leafy head the whole way down, he managed to yank out a few of Leafs bright green leaves. Irritated, Leaf tossed Burba onto the moss. He then gently sat Buddy on a small mushroom. The stinkbugs perfume curled its way out the knothole, over the broad branch just beyond, and around the pretty green sprays of needles. Slowly it fell down through the unsuspecting limbs of the towering tree.
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Stealthily, one by one, the stink chased away the blue jays, chickadees, nuthatches, grosbeaks, towhees, and finally the squirrels. Screee! Screee! screamed a red-headed woodpecker as the sickly smell suffocated the trees bark. At once, it flapped its wings frantically against the trunk to get away, but instead flew into a clump of needles. Its black-speckled feathers exploded in all directions. Screee! it shrieked angrily at the rude bug. The stinkbug crawled happily to the knothole and peeked out. It waved its long antennae in slow spirals, scratched itself with its bristly legs, and planted itself snugly in the doorway. Pleased with the commotion it had created in the Old Seeder, it squatted and smirked. Burba and Buddy giggled with delight. Great, Burba! Just great! exclaimed Leaf. He gazed up throu gh the branches at the stinkbug, which now occupied their haven. Wait until Pappo and Mumma get back from hunting! Theyll really be happy! Theyll have to get the stinkbug out of the knothole and the stink out of our haven! The twins stopped giggling immediately. They glanced uneasily at each other. Just as if they heard their names mentioned, Pappo and Mumma pushed through a huckleberry bush not very far away. Cheerfully, Pappo stepped toward Leaf, paused, and looked back over his shoulder with an expression of happy expectation. His wispy, white leaves barely covered his head but his golden eyes twinkled with youthful delight. Mumma followed a little more slowly, still limping from her terrible fall the season before. As usual, her golden leaves were tied into a tight knot on top of her head. Her eyes burned bright with the orange and amber colors of autumn. From the thick bush behind them, the sloppy, golden leaves of Fern s tousled hair popped out. She walked backwards, tugged at a large stuffed moss bag, and tried to free it from the tangles. Fern turned, smiled broadly, brushed her unkempt, leafy hair from her eyes, and announced, Not bad for my first outing, eh? Proudly, she patted the stuffed moss bag, and blinked her happy, orange eyes. Mumma and Pappo turned to Leaf and laughed. She is a great hunter! exclaimed Pappo. You should have seen her, Leaf!

TWIG STORIES, Vol. 2 LEAF & THE SKY OF FIRE

Shes the most eager hunter Ive seen! praised Mumma and gave Fern a warm look. Pappo added, She wanted to bring home every cappynut, berry, and seed she could find. I was so surprised! She actually brought back more on her first gathering than you did, Leaf! Fern puffed up her chest and squared her shoulders, very proud. She gazed expectantly at Leaf. It was his turn to compliment her. She waited. But Leaf didnt move or speak. Fern was immediately irritated with his silence. He said nothing at all! Fern taunted her older brother, Whats the matter, Leaf? Jealous? But Leaf didnt look jealous. In fact, he looked grim. Leaf pointed up. A stinkbugs in the haven, he stated flatly. Startled, Mumma, Pappo, and Fern jerked their eyes up to their havens knothole far above. The black stinkbug still squatted in the knothole. It rolled its shimmering, bulgy eyes around, happy and content. At that same moment, its sickening stench finally rolled off the limbs directly above their upturned faces. Leaf had had enough. Immediately, he scooped up Buddy and Burba, dove into the huckleberry bush, and yelled back, Run for it! Pappo and Mumma abruptly followed Leaf. Fern hesitated. One hand stubbornly gripped her treasures while the other waved furiously under her nose. Then finally, reluctantly, she abandoned the fat bundle and bolted into the bush too. The Twigs crowded together amid the sweet-smelling leaves and plump berries of the huckleberry bush. They stared out through the thick brambles as if some horrible beast paced back and forth, ready to pounce on them. Suddenly, they all laughedexcept Leaf. Now what? asked Pappo. I wonder how long the stinkbug plans to visit. Leaf was completely disheartened. He should have forced the stinkbug to leave or stopped Burba before he poked it. Now he wondered if they would sit in the huckleberry bush all day. Well, lets not be so sad about it! Mumma exclaimed. Lets picnic at the creek! At once, the young Twigs tumbled out of the bush, raced along a shadowy trail, and slid down a mossy embankment to a cold, clear stream

TWIG STORIES, Vol. 2 LEAF & THE SKY OF FIRE

just deep enough for playful Twigs to stand knee-deep and splash each other. Mumma leaned on Pappo as the two followed happily, and much more slowly, after them. Since the fall from the cherry blossom tree, Mumma often crept along like a slugsteady and sure, unhurried. Pappo patted her hand as they walked on the faint forest path, and she smiled sweetly at him. The stinkbug stayed all day.

CHAPTER TWO

Mook of the North

The creek splashed a merry melody to the Twigs.

Fern and Leaf scooped

up cool water in cappynut shells and tossed it at the twins as they giggled, ran off, and hid. The morning blossoms drooped in the afternoon heat. The brilliant butterflies floated on silent wings amid bushes with leaves glowing like emeralds in the sun. Sunbeams danced with pollen dust in the air. Pappo threw his and Mummas long, braided ropes over a low hanging limb of a cherry tree and fashioned two swing-cradles for the twins. It was so lovely and lazy, Leaf half-wished the stinkbug would invade their haven every day. Fern created tiny, stick Twig dolls for the twins. Burba watched intently as Fern pushed one thin stick through another for arms, stuck on green leaves for hair with a muddy paste, and then bent another smooth, flexible stick though the tangle for shaky legs. She mashed up the toes to be very curlylike teeny roots. She even twisted a thin vine over the shoulders and around the waist to look like the rope which Twigs always carried. She stuck a strong, long stem across the back to be the hunting tool. The stem resembled the strong walking stick, called a saver, which Twigs carried. She made a doll-Twig for Burba first, then another for Buddy. The twins carried their little dolls with them everywhere in the glade. As Leaf lay down in the shade, the twins bathed their new toys in the creek and giggled with delight as the teeny Twig-dolls floated along, rolling over and over in the slow, swirling currents.
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Leaf felt sleepy. He lay back on the warm moss in the roots of the cherry tree, breathed in the rich scents, and napped. In his dream, he rode his sweet, speckled chipmunk named Whisper through the forest. Her whiskers and nose twitched from the pollen. Her curly, bushy tail was held high and her spotted back gleamed in the sun. He rode to a strange, rocky place. The hillside was full of dark caves. He slid from Whispers back and she suddenly disappeared. Worried, he looked for her. Then he saw a frightening hole fall away into the hill before him. He pulled his saver from its loop on his back and held it across his chest to defend himself. He felt a creeping terror lurking in the cave. Leaf felt cold and afraid, yet took a deep breath and shoved his saver into the hard earth. With the clear stone at the top of the saver, he caught a bright sunray and directed its piercing beam into the deep black cavern. He peered over the dark edge. Far below, he saw starsdrifting starsthat glimmered in the dark shadows. There were so many. As he stared at them, an uneasy realization grew. They were not stars! They were eyes! Silvery eyes stared up. Huge eyes pleaded for help! Horrified, he saw they were the eyes of Twigs! Twigs were trapped deep within the cave! Leaf struggled to wake up. He felt groggy and strangely cold. He shivered and shook his leafy head. For a moment he was uncertain where he was. Was it just a nightmare? How horrible it was! Before he could make sense of the dream, sharp, urgent cries startled him fully awake. Buddy! Burba! Pappo yelled at the top of his voice. Leaf saw Mumma and Fern jump quickly to their feet. Pappos voice was greatly concerned. Buddy! Burba! Mumma and Fern shouted anxiously and searched for the twins in nearby bushes. Leaf sprang up and joined in the hunt. Walking in ever larger circles, they pushed apart glossy leaves and peered deep into the bushes. They searched the lush ferns and tangled tree roots. They peeked anxiously behind moss-covered rocks and under mushrooms. The twins could not be found. Are they only hiding to play? Leaf wondered. Only teasing us? No. Leaf shook his head. It is far too quiet for a game. They would have popped out giggling by now. Leaf slid down the creek bank. He found the stick dolls abandoned just before the stream plunged into a dark, leafy tunnel. Leaf bent down to look into the shadowy hole and saw a small circle of light far down at the
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other end. At once, he crouched low and quickly waded into the tunnel. Had the twins gone exploring here? Leaf worried at the disturbing idea. It was very dark, the water ran swiftly, and dangerous creatures hid in these slimy places. A grating oock! startled Leaf. A burping, green-spotted, goliath frog guarded his mud pile. Its eyes glistened. Its tongue licked its wide mouth as it sat on top of the muck, waiting for a gnat to fly by. Leaf frowned and carefully circled around the slimy frog. He didnt want to dodge a long, sticky tongue just now. In these shadows, he could easily be mistaken for a praying mantis or some other tasty frog treat! Leaf examined the frogs belly to be sure it had not swallowed the twins. Were they stuck inside, kicking around and struggling? He saw only its sagging belly. The giant frog had not eaten for a while. Relieved, Leaf splashed on. When Leaf reached the end of the tunnel he was blinded for a moment by the streaming sunlight. His eyes soon adjusted and he looked out at a wide clearing. A few willowy trees brushed against the edge of a grassy meadow. White, fluttering butterflies zigzagged above blue blossoms. Leaf knew the twins loved to chase butterflies. He wondered if they chased one here. Leaf crouched instinctively in the shadow of the tunnel and searched the open skies for danger. Hawks hunted from the sky. Their sharp eyes quickly spotted their prey and in an instant they would dive. Twigs were good to stuff in their nests, and the nests were usually built in the highest limbs of the tallest trees. Once stuffed in one, it was difficult for a Twig to escape. Leaf scanned the sky but saw no danger. Then he heard giggling. The twins were here! But where? Across the meadow, Leaf saw a holly bush rustle and shake. A tiny porcupine baby popped out of the glossy leaves. Then Leaf heard more giggling. With a sigh, Leaf knew at once that the twins were chasing the poor harmless creature out of the holly bush. The porcupine waddled hastily into the clearing, stumbled in the moss as it tried to stop, defiantly looked over its shoulder, rustled its stubby quills, and squeaked a warning to the twins. It sniffed the air with its pointy nose. Anxiously, it wrung its gray hands together. The spikes on its back swished back and forth, ruffled and stiff, as if ready to pierce the Twigs. At least the twins knew enough to stay far away. Finally the porcupine shuffled toward the roots of a cappynut tree where it could hide from the annoying Twig babes.
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Across the meadow from Leaf, Buddy and Burba rolled out from the holly bush. They were still quite a distance from Leaf but saw him at once, yet they completely ignored him. Leaf stood with his hands on his hips clearly annoyed. Buddy and Burba simply wrestled each other in the grass and pretended not to see him glowering at them. Without any warning, a dark shadow swiftly passed over the meadow. Hide! screamed Leaf. Buddy! Burba! Hide in the bush! Knowing terrible danger arrives from the sky, Leaf raced frantically toward the twins, but still they wrestled each other and ignored Leafs shouts. The shadow raced faster, grew larger, and finally smothered the tiny Twigs. A strange, high-pitched gurgling noise burst out just as Leaf launched himself through the air with all his strength. He nearly flew all the way to the twins. He skidded hard on his elbows, caught the twins in his arms, and hugged them tight. They all slid into the twisted thicket of the holly bush. The twins finally realized they were in danger and lay silent. Frightened, they held their breath and tucked their heads under Leafs arms. Leaf dared not move. He wondered if the hunter believed it had missed its prey and had flown away. All he knew for sure was that he and the twins must be silent and invisible. Leaf heard a thump on the ground. His heart sank with fear for his little brothers. Would the hunter come for them in the roots? He wondered anxiously if he could carry both tiny twins and still run fast enough to get away. He simply must flee, he decided. He crushed Buddy and Burba against his chest and raised himself up on one knee, ready to dash from the tangled bush and into the nearby forest. Then he heard a reedy gurgling noise as if a wounded creature choked on its own breath. An odd voice cried out, Sorry! Sorry! So sorry! Leaf carefully turned his head to peek out between the prickly brambles. All he could see was a tooler strutting about the clearing. A tooler did not hunt. It was only a silly bird known only for its merry whistle! It lived in thorny bushes, not trees, and was harmless. The toolers feathers flashed and shimmered blue-green. Toolers only whistled but that was a voice he heard. Could a tooler speak? Leaf studied the busy creature. Curiously, a gold braid hung from his neck and dragged between his scaly legs upon the ground. The tooler briskly fluffed out his glowing
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feathers then marched back and forth as if the clearing belonged to him. The ridiculous bird jabbed his long, yellow beak viciously into the earth and yanked out a fat worm. Then he beat the struggling worm on a rock until it was stunned senseless. Satisfied he had beaten it to death, the tooler greedily gulped it down with one swallow. At once he searched for more worms, each time stabbing the earth brutally with his spear-like beak. Maybe we disturbed his nest, Leaf considered. Perhaps he lives here. Leaf knew a toolers nature was very far from that of a hawk and most likely meant no harm. Leaf relaxed. Sorry! Sorry! the scratchy, choking voice cried out and coughed. It was only then Leaf saw the crooked figure of a Twig kneeling in the tall grass. He had the knobby, gnarled knees and crooked hands of a very old Twig. He leaned over as if he was sick or injured. The elderly Twig fell back, sat on the ground, held his head between his knees, and rocked back and forth. He spoke to the earth. Sorry! Meant no harm! Was Peskys fault! Stupid tooler never could stop fast enough! The odd Twig sat and swayed as if off balance. He pressed his head tightly as if it might fall off his shoulders. The tooler ignored him as he flipped over a flat rock, found a long purple worm, whacked it on the rock to stun it, and then instantly gulped it down. Leaf whispered to Buddy and Burba, Stay here! Be quiet! and frowned at them to be sure they would. They bobbed their tiny heads in unison. Leaf crawled out from the safety of the bush. Concerned about the weak old Twig, he stood wondering what to do. Just then Pesky hopped over and with his sharp beak gently stroked the leafy white hair on the sick Twigs head as if trying to soothe him. Leaf realized there was a strong bond between the two. Quickly giving up the effort to comfort his friend, Pesky stepped away from the sad-looking Twig, flapped his wings, and rustled his feathers to shake out the dust. Leaf eyed the bizarre bird. What a weird tooler! Even though the tooler had just eaten two worms, he now slung a fat beetle into the air, ripped it apart, and gulped it down just as if he were starving! But even so greedy, Leaf noticed that Pesky never strayed far from his sick companion.
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Leaf worried what it might do if he stepped too near, especially if Pesky were protective of the old Twig. But it was obvious the sick Twig needed help. Leaf knew he must do something. Oh, allo, said the wrinkly Twig. He had finally noticed Leaf. In a thin, gurgling voice he said, Glad we found you! Weve flown from the Land of the Dancing Sky Lights! Although Leaf didnt understand what the Twig was talking about, he answered him anyway, Allo! Im Leaf of the Old Seeder Twigs. Just then, Pappo, Mumma, and Fern burst through the tunnel and into the sunny clearing. Completely ignoring the startled tooler and strange old Twig, they cried, Did you find them? Leaf, are they here? Unable to wait in the brambles any longer, Buddy and Burba tumbled out and jumped into Mumma and Pappos arms. Both twins budding heads were smothered with kisses, hugs, and tears from Mumma, Pappo, and Fern. So sorry! So sorry! the odd Twig gurgled again. Didnt mean to scare you! Mumma, Pappo, and Fern had huddled protectively around the twins, but now they peeked through their tangled arms and, astonished, stared at the strange Twig. The old Twig tried to politely stand up. He stated weakly, Im Mook. North Twig. Flew on Pesky. Need help. Twig babes all alone! Need help! Star. Moon. Help! After this garbled and confusing rush of words, Mook promptly sank to the ground and fainted. At once, Mumma limped over to Mook. From her belt, she took a cappynut shell which was full of water. She dribbled a few cool, wet drops onto the droopy leaves on Mooks head. She patted his crooked hands. Pappo grabbed a broad fern and fanned Mooks wrinkled face. Fern, Buddy, and Burba were unconcerned about the sick, old Twig. Instead, they were fascinated by the tooler. They circled Pesky curiously and studied the tooler closely. Slowly, they reached out to try and touch his brilliant, luminescent feathers. They knew they should be very cautious. Birds often stuffed Twigs in their nests for bedding. But this tooler eyed them back with a curious expression and warm, soft eyes. He dipped his head so the young Twigs could stroke his neck and smooth, yellow beak. Then Pesky whistled!

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Surprised, the Twig twins stumbled backward, and Fern crouched instinctively. Pesky gingerly stepped right over the tiny twins and Fern to Mook. He insistently nudged Mooks limp body and whistled softly in the twisted ear of the unconscious old Twig. Leaf realized Mook must faint a lot because Pesky seemed to know just what needed to be done and, indeed, it worked. Mook moaned a little and sat up slowly. Sorry! Not well. Am I here? Pappo and Mumma exchanged worried glances. This frail old Twig needed much care. Pappo looked up and searched the sky for danger. They needed to get out of the clearing. Leaf, said Pappo, you and I will help Mook to our haven. The rest of you go home and prepare a bed and mint tea for him. Well be there soon. Now go at once! Mumma and Fern nodded. Each took one of the twins hands and led them away from the friendly tooler. Together, they walked back through the tunnel and waded up the creek. Pappo and Leaf gently placed Mooks arms over their shoulders. They moved slowly and carried Mook securely between them in an arm cradle. Carefully, they splashed into the cool, dark tunnel. The slimy, goliath frog still guarded its mud pile. But seeing so many Twigs enter at once, it decided to hurry away. It splashed clumsily into the stream and only its bulgy, wet eyes could be seen floating just above the water. Pesky was suspicious of the dark tunnel. He flapped his wings and took a running leap into the sky. For a moment, he hovered awkwardly above the three slow-moving Twigs as they entered the dark hole. Then the tooler clumsily spiraled higher and watched closely as Mook, Leaf, and Pappo disappeared. After a while, the three Twigs re-emerged from the other end of the tunnel, climbed carefully up the creeks bank, and gingerly stepped along shadowy paths toward the Old Seeder. Mook continually groaned and muttered, but Leaf and Pappo could not understand his words. They simply murmured soothingly in reply. Pesky kept a wary eye on his dear friend as Pappo and Leaf carried him up the massive trunk of the Old Seeder and into their haven. Then the tooler landed just outside the round door of their knothole, peered through its small window, and studied the scene inside intently. Pesky knew Mook was in loving hands, so he turned away to search the deeply

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furrowed red bark for fat bugs. There were many juicy ones in the Old Seeder. Inside, Pappo laid Mook on a moss bed in Leafs small hollow. He stepped quietly over to Leaf and Mumma who waited beside the door in the larger hollow. He shook his head sadly. Is he going to be all right? Leaf asked. Theres no telling, Pappo said. Hes very ill. He mutters all the time, but he makes no sense at all. He shook his head and shrugged. Hows that tooler doing? Did he leave? Leaf looked out of the knothole to check on Pesky. No, hes still here. Hes stuffing himself! Leaf answered with a grin. He acts like he hasnt eaten in a season! Leaf watched the busy tooler hop around with a caterpillar squirming wildly in his mouth. Pesky glanced at Leaf. He hopped near the knothole, dipped his head as if in a friendly greeting then instantly glared angrily at the young Twig. Startled, Leaf realized Pesky was warning him: Be careful with my Mook!

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CHAPTER THREE

Who Lives in a Cave?

Giggles echoed in the musty cavern where they hid in the North Forest
far from the Old Seeder. Quick! Shes coming! Hide! Six tiny stick bodies tumbled over one another in a rush to find a shadow, a hollow, or a curve along the smooth granite wall in which to disappear. They pushed, tugged, and scrambled with each other over the few places to hide until one tiny voice piped up, Act like trees! Yes! Yes! Act like trees! they whispered eagerly. Immediately, the tiny Twig babes struck crooked poses. Their hands and arms stuck out like twisted limbs of ancient trees. Their toes curled up on the clay earth like roots. Their faces froze, their eyes wide, not blinking. Still, it was difficult to control the giggles. A young, slender Twig moved from the shadows and slowly stepped among the six Twig babes. With a surprised expression, she searched the air above their leafy heads. She moved slowly and spoke in a soft, wondering voice, Where are the babes? Where did the babes go? Tiny giggles erupted. I thought they were here, but where have they gone? How did all of these trees grow in our cave so fast? she asked, puzzled. The babes could no longer tease the playful, loving Twig. Here we are! delighted voices burst out. More giggles echoed in the cave. Oh! said Star. Thank the moon! What excellent trees you were! I thought a forest sprouted in our cave! The babes gathered around her and tugged at her gentle hands. We were hiding! We were trees and you didnt see us! explained one very tiny Twig with eyes like the bright blue sky. She stood on Stars toes and held onto her knees. Yes, you were amazing, Breeze! acknowledged Star. I looked for you, but I couldnt find you! She clapped her hands lightly. Playtimes over. Now its story time!
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The babes giggled, tumbled, and rolled around on the clay floor, then finally settled down in a small circle around Star. She sat patiently waiting, perched on a slightly raised flat rock in their midst. Wheres PapaMook? asked Sand, a tiny, delicate Twig with huge, brown eyes and dust-colored buds sprouting from her head. Her wide, wondering eyes blinked quizzically at Star. The Twigs babes all stared at Star. Their eyes asked the same question. Absentmindedly, Star traced a tree in the clay earth. Wheres PapaMook? Wheres PapaMook? Wheres PapaMook? they chanted. Star raised a slender hand and patted the air to calm their voices. Now, now, she soothed them sweetly, Ive told you over and over where PapaMook went. Tell us again! Tell us again! they pleaded and scooted closer. All right, all right, Star waved both hands to silence them. Her eyes shone silver and flashed when upset. Her leafy hair curled up tight in silvery bundlesexcept for a few stray strands that hung to her shoulderslike tips of moonlit waves blown by a swirling wind. She cared for the six babes as if they were her own little sisters and brothers. In a way, they were. Now they had only her and her brother, Moon, to care for them. Breeze, the very youngest, still wobbled on her chunky stick legs. Her blue eyes were brilliant and startling. Her white, curly hair sprouted with blue tips. Moss snuggled up next to Breeze. Naturally, Moss had dark green buds for hair and oval-shaped, golden eyes. Cone and Mist were inseparable. Cones dark, glossy hair and deep black eyes were the opposite of Mists limp, light gray hair and diamond eyes. Then there was Pool. Star wondered what to make of Pool. With his white hair and silver eyes, he most resembled Star and her brother, yet they were not related, not in the same Twig branch at all. Barely older than the rest, Pool liked to pretend he wasnt part of the group. He was irritatingly stubborn. He enjoyed devising ways to annoy the other babes. He tossed tiny pebbles at them or blew dust in their eyes. He smirked whenever they looked at him angrily. Finally, they would simply turn their backs and ignore Pool. All the Twig babes played happily with whatever they could find in the cavelike pebbles, clay, cones, and sometimes hard

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red berries too old to eat. But Pool, well, Pool only stirred up trouble. Star sighed. Star loved them all, but it was Sand who tugged at her heart the most. It was Sand who crawled into her lap now to hear the story of PapaMook once more. Sand curled her tiny fingers around Stars and looked up expectantly. Pool lay flat on his back and pushed the clay into clumps with his heels. He pretended not to listen. Star waved her graceful hands to quiet the babes. She spoke with a soft, chirping voice, and although her eyes seemed sad, her tone was light and cheery. Stars voice fluttered against the cave walls like a trapped swallow seeking a way out. She began, PapaMook has flown away on Pesky. Hes looking for the South Forest Twigs. When he finds them, they will all come back and help us move to a new tree home. Star paused. She knew what would happen next. Tell us about the forest! Tell us about the forest! the Twig babes cried out at once. Star cradled Sand and slid from the rock to sit on the clay earth. She crossed her legs and motioned for the babes to scrunch up closer to her. With a secretive whisper, she responded, In the South Forest, the trees are tall and magnificent and they spread out in all directions as far as you can see. There is clear running water. Forest creatures live everywhere you look. There are havens up in tall trees that are warm, safe, and welcome Twigs to their knotholes. And best of all . . . She waited as the babes held their breath. And best of allall the trees are green! Oh! the tiny Twigs exhaled together in wonder. Theyre not brown? No! asserted Star firmly. Theyre all green! Their fronds are soft, and they smell wonderful! There are no dead, brown needles surrounding them on the ground either! And do you know what else isnt in the South Forest? Star dropped her voice to an even lower whisper. There are no barkbiters! A shiver ran through the tiny Twigs. They sat silent and still, trying to imagine a world without the gruesome barkbiters. Now, Star clapped her hands to change the dreary mood. Lets all draw creatures in the dirt. Ill guess what they are, so draw them well! Even Pool enjoyed drawing. Star handed them their drawing sticks. The babes spread out, lay flat on the ground, and concentrated on scratching

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creatures in the clay. As she watched them, Stars thoughts wandered and, once again, drifted to the sad events which led them to this cave. Long ago, their forest was emerald green, not brown. When Stars mother and father were young Twig babes, a terrible change began. Slowly and methodically, ravenous barkbiters crept into the forest and devoured one tree after another. First, they ate the only the weaker trees inside out, leaving them to rot only when the brittle branches of the dead trees crashed on the ground. But as their numbers grew, the barkbiters attacked the larger, healthier pine trees. They chewed their way into the center of the thick trunks. From center to bark, from root to tip, they gnawed, leaving horrible deep scars, until the magnificent trees limbs drooped with the weight of their own dying fronds. The Twigs of the North Forest knew the freezing ice of the cold season would destroy barkbiters, so they waited and did nothing to save the trees. But as seasons passed and the cold seasons came and went, the Twigs realized the seasons were not as cold as they used to be. The barkbiters and their eggs did not freeze. Many cold seasons passed but the barkbiters survived buried deep in the trunks of the infested trees. The beautiful trees in the Land of Dancing Sky Lights became brown and brittle. It was then that the swarm of barkbiters struck the Twigs. One day in the forest, Stars mother and many other Twigs were suddenly attacked. Horrified, her father pleaded with all of the Twig branches of the North Forest to seek out the barkbiters and destroy them. But it was already too late. Merciless hordes of barkbiters overwhelmed the Twigs, the only creatures who might have been able to stop their ravenous rampage. And there were so few places to escape. After Stars father left them, PapaMook brought Star, Moon, and the babes to this cave. Then he flew away on Pesky to find help. Unfortunately, the bizarre tooler only allowed Mook on his back and viciously stabbed any other Twig who tried to ride him. Star, Moon, and the babes had no choice but to stay and wait for rescue. The poor little Twig babes had sprouted in a dangerously wicked world. Their North Forest was dying, full of evil barkbiters, yet they were still just babes, and they giggled every day, except for Pool. Star watched the babes draw their funny creatures in the clay. We are lucky, she said to them, tucking away her grim memories. We have a

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lovely, safe cave to live in. The stickytoes and looksalot guard us all the time. Star waved her arm at the bright circle of light shining across from where they sat. The entrance was covered with thick, sticky webs that diffused the sunbeams. A large, dark shadow moved in front of the light. He had a long tail spiraled into a tight coil. A thin fin ran down his back, and broad, wavy stripesblue and goldcircled his green body. He swayed back and forth, balanced on his odd two-toed hands and feet. The babes eyes twinkled as they watched the curious, painfully slow movements of the looksalot, so out of place in the North Forest. Is he going to walk? Breeze gurgled in anticipation. The other babes giggled at the thought. The looksalot stepped incredibly slowly, placing each hand and foot as if he stepped on prickly seedpods. His bulging eyes rolled around constantly and stared in different directions at the same time. The looksalot was fascinating to watch when he walkedor whenever he moved at all. Not now, Breeze, Star answered. Hell stay there. Hes on guard! Is he waiting for PapaMook to come? Cone wondered. Star said firmly, PapaMook will come soon enough! Then well all take a trip to the green forest! Star clapped her hands loudly, and in a no nonsense voice said, Now its time to take a nap! Off you go! Star stood up to emphasize her words. The babes moaned in unison but obediently shuffled away to curl up in their moss beds which were lined up along the far wall of the cave and tucked into brown shadows. A slender figure, slightly taller than Star, stepped to her side from where he had been listening to the merry chatter. He said wryly, So I guess youre not going to tell them how their mums and paps ended their lives fighting the barkbiters then? It was Stars younger brother, Moon. Lately, his voice sounded only sour and bitter. He kicked a pebble at her to demonstrate his dissatisfaction with her optimistic storytelling. Star briskly sidestepped the rolling stone and answered quietly, What good would it do now? Theyre only babes. They dont even remember them, Moon! Star sounded exasperated. She brushed back her feathery, silver leaves from her face. Irritated with her, Moon shook his droopy, colorless leaves over his white eyes and retorted, One day theyll ask. What will you tell them then?
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Star turned away, refusing to indulge his grumpy attitude. Ill figure that out when I have to, she answered. Besides, PapaMook will come soon and take us out of here. Right, Moon grumbled. In the meantime, all we eat are seeds and nuts that the stickytoes bring. We never see the sky lights dance anymore. And PapaMook and Pesky are probably lost. I dont think there is a green forest in the south anyway. Barkbiters are everywhere! We shoulda destroyed them when we could! he finished, his face grim. Star turned and spoke firmly to her younger brother. We should be grateful to the stickytoes. The seeds and nuts they bring us are all they can find anymore. The magnificent dancing sky lights are there whether we see them or not. The green South Forest is there, too. The barkbiters have not reached it yet. And PapaMook and Pesky are probably already on their way back. Right now! she added sharply. Moon shrugged his shoulders. Suddenly, he spoke up, his voice hopeful. Look, Star. Veil wants you! He waved to the huge, swaying shadow of the looksalot. Star glanced over her shoulder to look at Veil. The looksalot slowly lifted his two-toed front hand and waved at her. His smoky green scales turned from green to gray as he blended into the cave wall behind him. His tail unwound as he balanced his oversized body to signal Star. His eyes rolled around, one aimed at Star and the other at Moon. Then his eyes rolled again, one aimed at the entrance and another at a bug caught in the shimmering spider web. Star stepped quickly over to Veil and patted his nose affectionately. Unexpectedly, with amazing speed, he shot out his incredibly long, sticky tongue and snatched the bug struggling in the sticky web. He pulled it back into his flat mouth and crunched it slowly and thoughtfully. Star waited patiently. Nearby a trickle of water ran down the granite wall and splashed into a shallow bowl of water. Star listened to the soft rush of the cold water as it spilled over the bowl and onto the earth, lost in a deep crack in the clay. The legs of the huge bug stuck out from Veils wide mouth and kicked frantically. Finally Veil gobbled the legs and swallowed them, too. The looksalot tossed his head at the webs. He rocked back and forth in slow motion a few times to indicate Star should look through the sticky mass.

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Star brightened at once and gazed through the thick spider strands into the gray mist beyond. She saw nothing outside, but trusted that Veil felt vibrations in the earth. He always knew if something was approaching the cave long before she did. Suddenly, Star called over her shoulder. The stickytoes are coming! Come help me! She stepped to the web and lifted it up to allow a narrow passage for the stickytoes. Moon quickly stepped over to help lift the web. A high-stepping procession of three muddy colored, orange-speckled stickytoes darted into the cave. Their eyes were moist and deep brown. They swept their tails constantly. Their mouths formed eternal mysterious smiles. Their toes were actually small, round pods that stuck to any surface they wished to climb. If the mood struck them, the stickytoes would scurry up the cave walls and across the ceiling just as if the stone surfaces were flat ground. Now the three stickytoes pressed their bellies on the ground and nodded their heads. Moss bagsstuffed to nearly burstingslipped from girdles on their backs and fell heavily beside them. Seeds, nuts, and grass spilled out. The excited Twig babes leapt from their moss beds and rushed over. Star shooed the tiny, curious fingers away from the food. The stickytoes clicked their tongues sharply, chirped a few merry whistles, and grinned at Star, Moon, and Veil. Star reached out gratefully to her devoted stickytoes, kissed each one between the eyes, and stroked their smooth, spotted heads. She grabbed some clumps of wet moss and dipped them in the shallow bowl of water. She squeezed the moss, and water dribbled slowly over the stickytoes skin. They grinned, then one at a time, licked their own eyes with a smooth, quick swipe of their long, pink tongues. Lovingly, they blinked at Star. These bizarre creatures were her dearest and most loyal friends. Veil could rest for a while. Click, Chirp, and Crunch were back. Star sighed with relief. The night guards had arrived.

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