Adventure Book:
Reynard's Secret Fox Hole |
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Maggie tiptoed down the stairs and peeked around the the corner to see what perfectly fabulous, magnificent, “over-the-top” birthday presents were there on the table from her Mama, Papa Joe and her two sisters.
Sure enough, there in the center of the table was a bag of poly-fil® and a very large box with an enormous green bow.
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Maggie had never been very good at patiently waiting, so she stomped on the floor and banged the cupboard doors, hoping to wake up the family— gently. She was successful.
Down they trooped to see if someone had let in the dog, or who was making all that racket.
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“Since you are all here,” she said sweetly, “let’s open my presents.” And they did.
Out came four fluffy, flat animals—
a fox, a bear, a beaver, and a moose. Along with them Maggie pulled out a pad of paper and some colored pencils.
“There you are,” said Papa Joe. “Now stuff those animals, wake them up, and give them each a story with some illustrations.” Papa Joe was inclined to give orders. The others headed back upstairs to take a nap.
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Maggie stuffed each animal. First the feet and head and then the belly. She pulled the drawstrings at the belly and tied them off. The animals stood about, looking sleepy and wondering what came next.
“Just imagine,” said Maggie, “new friends. Let’s go out into the deep dark woods and have an adventure.” So out they marched, Maggie in the lead, carrying her pad and colored pencils.
“Bracing!” said Maggie, taking a breath of fresh air.
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“What will you write about me?” demanded Reynard the fox, for that was clearly his name. “I have been featured in story and song you know, THE FOX AND THE GRAPES by Aesop The Greek and
THE FOX WENT OUT ON A CHASE
ONE NIGHT— a well-known folk song.”
“Then there’s the saying about ‘The fox in the hen house,’” said Maggie.
“Bad Press!” interrupted Reynard. “I do not steal chickens... well not often. One has to eat you know. Wild berries, eggs of all sorts, that’s my specialty. So what will you write?”
“Hmm” said Maggie. She gave it some thought.
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“You’re quite handsome, Reynard. Your senses are keen and you are very quick in your movements.”
“Ah, yes... that has been said.”
“You could have been a magician, but who would have believed you?”
“I beg your pardon, Miss?”
“Oh,” said Maggie, “it must be more bad press. They say you’re clever but a little sneaky.”
“I prefer to think of it as stealthy,” sniffed Reynard.
“AH,” said Maggie. “Stealthy... hmm.”
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“I could tell them where you live,” said Maggie.
“Not a word... that is entirely my affair!” snapped Reynard and he turned his back on Maggie, leaving her to wonder what she said to insult him.
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“Ugh” said Reynard, looking into the sun. “This is hardly my time of day. I hate all this light. I like my corners dark. I love the night and the evening.”
He headed into the woods for the shade. “Tell where I sleep indeed! She probably thinks I live in a hole in a tree like that squirrel scurrying round.
Ridiculous!”
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“And I don’t fancy that dog house either. Imagine telling people where I
live. And imagine the bother of moving when I have lived there for years.”
Reynard continued to fume.
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“And I don’t live in a log either, like a skunk, or a cave like a bear!”
Suddenly Reynard stopped. Up went his ears. Reynard had keen hearing. He looked this way and that and quick as only a fox can be quick, he vanished into a hole, once owned by a local rabbit and then claimed by his mama when he was yet a pup. The hole was then enlarged to accommodate his whole family.
“HOME SWEET HOME,” said Reynard. And he curled up and went to sleep.
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“I'll let him think his secret is safe,” mused Maggie as she peeked out from behind a tree. Then she sat down on a rock to draw the door of Reynard’s house because Maggie herself, was as clever as she could be.
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| Written and illustrated by elinor peace bailey |
