Journey Through the Woods
By coolcatcool2 (Not showing real name)

Chapter I: A Heart-Breaking Incident

“Chetmunk, don’t go outside. You know how dangerous it is out there when it is snowing.” warned Mama Chipmunk.
“I know. But I want to just have a look.” I protested. Mama Chipmunk was always stern when snow starts raiding the forest.
“OK. But just one small look. Then come back here immediately.” replied Mama Chipmunk. “Yes, Mama.” I sighed. I started heading toward the exit. It was so cold! I was shivering so much my stripes might of looked like they were moving on their own! Wait! What was that strange shape moving behind a large bush? I moved forwards an inch. Then I suddenly realized what it was!! A cat!
I quickly ran into the burrow and lay down behind Mama and softly said “A cat was watching me.”
“I told you not to go out there. Cats are VERY dangerous.” Mama scolded, looking at the cat’s eye peering into the burrow.
But the cat would not leave us alone! I guessed that it wanted to eat me for his supper; so he would not, absolutely would not, give up until he got me out of the safe, cozy burrow and into his mouth full of humongous teeth.
After a while, the cat left (probably bored to death); leaving paw marks in the snow.
Luckily, the den was much more interesting than outside; so I still had a lot to explore.
About ten minutes later, with nothing to bother me, I fell asleep dreaming about four-leaf clovers.
The next morning, I woke up shivering. I looked around. Where had Mama gone?
Just then, I saw prints in the snow outside the burrow leading to the same spot I saw the cat pounce yesterday.
“Mama?” I asked. Inside I felt like she was never going to come back; so I decided to investigate.
The tracks look like they were going into the deepest part of the forest. After I passed through a large bush, the tracks stopped and the body of a small animal lay there.
I gasped. I recognized the scent. It was Mama’s body frozen in the snow!
Was it the cat’s doing? There was no blood. Maybe it scared her to death? Who knows? Maybe it was too cold to survive this morning. Maybe a squirrel dropped an acorn on her head and she passed out. I was so horrified!!!
I quickly ran to the den. What I just saw was heart-breaking. What would I do without Mama?
I had no idea what to do. Stay here, of leave the burrow in search for food? I finally chose my answer: Stay; at least until the snow melts enough to go food hunting.
I also decided to hum a tune that Mama used to sing to me. It went like this:

♪♫ Chipmunk sitting in an old oak tree; ♫♪
Sees a cat, and he ran to flee.
Chipmunk sitting in an old oak tree;
Now he’s safe and sound.

Chipmunk sitting in an old birch tree;
Sees a monkey, and he ran to flee.
Chipmunk sitting in an old birch tree;
Now he’s safe and sound.

Chipmunk sitting in an old ash tree;
Sees a bird, and he ran to flee.
Chipmunk sitting in an old ash tree;
Now he’s safe and sound.

I stopped humming. I thought I heard someone humming that song.
When the music stopped, I saw a slip of paper slide into the burrow. It read:

ENOLAUOYERAYHW

YNITERAUOY

And on the back it read:

LLERIUQSMORF

Then I realized that the letters were backwards. Here is what it read now:

WHYAREYOUALONE

YOUARETINY

And on the back it read now:

FROMSQUIRELL

Who was this Squirell (pronounced squirrel) guy? Was he my long-lost neighbor? Was he one of Mama’s friends? Who knows?



Chapter II: Squirell Nutty

I decided to ignore the slip of paper and search the burrow for some food.
There was nothing in the burrow for what I could see; so I decided to go outside. I know, it’s outside. But I need some food!
I scampered out and found bunch of nuts at the exit. There was another note that read “ YOU ARE WELCOME ” in a much neater, not in code, but still in capitals. I thought it was from Squirell. It was his type of writing; but it wasn’t. It was from this guy called Squirell Nutty. Was he the same guy?
I didn’t care right then. I gathered up the nuts and gobbled them up as quick as a lightning bolt.
Suddenly there was complete darkness in the burrow. Had some snow fallen and clogged it up? It couldn’t be because it said “Did you crack the code?”
I had to reply. So I said without thinking “Yes. And thank you for the nuts.”
“You are welcome.”
“What is your name? Are you Squirell or Squirell Nutty?”
“Squirell Nutty. But everyone calls me Squirell.”
Sense it was so dark, I asked him “Can you get out of the way? You are blocking all the light out of here.”
“Oh, sorry.” apologized Squirell, moving out of the way, “By the way, what is your name?”
“Chetmunk.” I replied. “BURP” I guess I ate to many nuts at once, “Sorry about that.”
“That is OK. I do it all the time.” said Squirell.
I wasn’t sure about this thing. Maybe he was trying to be friends because I was alone. Wait, I remember him asking me in the coded letter why I was alone!
“Do you want to be friends?” asked Squirell, interrupting my thoughts.
“Why?” I asked him back.
“Because you are lonesome and you are in need of a friend.”
“That’s a good reason. Sure. I’ll take the offer.”
“OK. First things first.” Squirell said, “We need a place to stay together.”
“OK. Where is that?” I asked him.
“ In my tree. It is big enough for six squirrels.” He reassured me.
Maybe I should stay home for one last night so I could say goodbye so I could let some other rodent take over, I thought. “Let me stay one last night here. Then I’ll move into your tree that is big enough for six squirrels.” I said to Squirell.
Squirell rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to be so literal. But OK. You can stay here one last night. Then you can live with me and not be alone anymore.”
“Thanks.” I said as I headed back into the burrow to pack up anything I might need.
Then Squirell left me and headed home (to wherever that was).
I once again felt lonely without Squirell Nutty or Mama, but I once again tried to ignore it. I wish I had a brother or sister to live with; that way I didn’t have to move out.
I decided to go right to sleep, hoping that I won’t find Squirell waiting for me and trying to rush me to get packing and settling into his tree.

Chapter III: Squirell’s Treehouse

I guess that my hope did not work, for in the exit of the burrow sat Squirell, eating nuts and looking bored to death. Maybe the complete opposite of perplexed.
Just then he mumbled something that I could not make out. “What did you say?” I asked.
“Oh, it was nothing.” he mumbled back. He was sure grumpy about something, but I couldn’t figure it out.
I finished packing up my things and went with Squirell to his house. It was huge! Like he said, it was big enough for sixteen chipmunks!
“Where would I sleep?” I asked. It was so huge I wouldn’t of made it around without a guide to help me.
“In the guest bedroom.” replied Squirell.
OK. That was reasonable. “OK. Where is it?” I asked.
“ You are standing in it. This place is one big room.”
Seriously? That was the most humongous room I have ever saw. Maybe he was the only one living here. Well, this is one nutty squirrel. Of course his name is Squirell Nutty. That was also the most literal name I’ve ever heard.
“OK. Do you have a hole near your tree? That is where most chipmunks sleep.” I said. “I’d like something like my own burrow instead.”
“Sure. There is one.” Squirell replied, “Do you know your way?”
“I’ll find out myself.” I said, turning my attention to the corridors that stretched out in every single direction.
Once I got to the hole, I looked around. It was huge! I’ll say almost as huge as Squirell’s house up above!!
Just as I was getting used to the hugeness, Squirell came up to me and asked “You like it?”
“Yeah, sorta.” I replied. I was getting used to his kind of speech that usually said what I was thinking.
“Great! I’ll see you at dinnertime!!” he said as he ran off.
“When is that?” I asked, although it was too late, ‘cause Squirell already ran off and was out of sight in his one-room treehouse.
I guessed he would come to tell me, but he didn’t.
When I decided to go up to the treehouse, it was (according to the sun) about three o’clock. I guessed that that was a squirrels’ feeding time.
When I finally got up to the room, all kinds of assorted nuts lay on the table ready to eat. There where chestnuts, almonds, acorns, all the nuts you could imagine!
I stuffed my cheek pouch with as many nuts I could fit in and raced out of the treehouse into the makeshift burrow.




Chapter IV: Kittens and Hunts

When I was full, which took a long time, I decided to take a nap. It was tiring going to Squirell just to get nuts and then over and over again! What a day!!
When I finally got to sleep, I replayed today’s events around in my head. From the time Squirell and I made friends, to this very moment. It was a very crazy day!
I slept through the next day probably because of exhaustion.
OK. Now the morning after that I woke up. I stretched and yawned. I was fast asleap last night for sure!
I wonder if Squirell had any more nuts for breakfast. They were so delicious! Maybe some walnuts or some acorns will be good in the morning!
I decided to go up to Squirell’s and see what was for breakfast. Oh, how I wanted to have some nuts!
When I got up there, nuts where everywhere! I was in nut heaven! I think I’m turning into a squirrel with all these nuts. Was I losing my mind?!
I took the nuts and scuttled out of the treehouse and hurried into a bush to privately eat my nuts. I hoped no one spotted me. But, one thing was. It was a kitten that looked like the cat that tried to eat me awhile earlier.
As usual, I was terrified to death. Stuffing my unfinished nuts in my cheek pouch and trying to run away; but getting nowhere. Why weren't my paws moving? It was strange enough to be living with a squirrel.
Anyway, there was a kitten staring at me with curious eyes and it was pretty distracting watching how it bobbed it’s head toward me and retreated and toward me and on and on and on it went.
After about five minutes, the kitten decided to lay down next to me and take a nap. What cat or kitten would decide to not try to chase a chipmunk?! “Hello?” I asked, trying to get the kitten’s attention. “Hello?”
The cat ear twitched. Still no answer.
“Hello?!” this time with more determination.
Finally the cat’s eye opened a tiny slit. “Yes?”
Yes! I had an answer! “Who are you?”
“My name is Tibbs.” answered the kitten, “Who are you?”
“Nice to meet you, Tibbs. And my name is Chetmunk.”
“Nice to meet you too, Chetmunk. Where do you live?”
“Nowhere.”
“Nowhere?! That’s an awful place to live! Do you want to come home with me?”
“I don’t know about that. There may be other cats who would want to eat me as soon as they see me.” I was already scared out of my skin thinking about cats. This kitten was an exception, but no one else so far.
“I’ll hide you, promise.” replied Tibbs, interrupting my thoughts. “You can sleep in an old can that is hidden somewhere near where I live.”

“That might be reasonable. I’ll think about it.” I said.
Just then I heard someone or something yelling about a mile away. “TTTiiibbbsss!!! You need to come home right now or your father will be mighty angry!”
“Oops. I need to get home. Chetmunk, would you like to ride on my back?” asked Tibbs.
“Sure. Make sure I don’’t get seen.” I replied.
“Will do.”
“Thanks.”
We ran off and Tibbs kept talking to himself too quietly I couldn’t hear what he was murmuring. All I could hear was “Keep going.” and “No pranks. Just words.” What did it all mean? Was Tibbs trying to fool his friends or me?
“Tibbs? What are you talking about?” I asked him, with curiosity controlling my mind.
“Oh, nothing. You might call it ‘none of your business.’ ” replied Tibbs.
“OK. Fine. Have it your way.” I said as we rode on into the night far, far away from my home and friend.
When we got there, Tibbs decided to shake me off and run away. What was that crazy kitten doing? Did he sniff a whiff of catnip? I don’t care what he does, but that was rude.
Anyway, where did he run off to? Oh, here he comes; but with another kitten.
“Hey! Chetmunk! Come out of there. This is one of my friends, Kathy. Kathy, meet Chetmunk. And don’t chase him, you hear me? Don’t chase him or else.” Tibbs explained. It was really confusing even though he tried his best to make me understand.
“Hi, Kathy.” I said, still nervous about this whole thing.
“Hi, Chetmunk! It’s so nice to finally meet you! Tibbs told me a lot about you in the past few minutes. What a small chipmunk. He can’t survive in the cold alone like that, right Tibbs?” Kathy exclaimed right into my face. What a talkative kitten!
“Sorry, Chetmunk; my friend is so talkative at times.” sighed Tibbs. It seemed like he was tired of Kathy, like I was. What was next, another talkative kitten who didn’t care about anything but a long, long, long conversation?
The next day, I woke up hearing Tibbs and Kathy whispering together. I creped closer and this is what I heard:
Tibbs: I know you don’t really like him, but you have to. He’s my friend.
Kathy: What about the food rations? We need food right now. If you don’t agree, I’m going to hunt him down and swallow him whole.
Tibbs: You don’t really mean that, do you?
Kathy: Of course I do. What else would keep me away for hunting something us cats are supposed to hunt?
Tibbs: I’m serious. You can’t hurt him.
Kathy: Oh yes I can!
What was going on? Was Kathy going crazy? Was she really going to try to eat me?



Chapter V: Home Again

When I woke up again after the conversation Tibbs and Kathy had this morning. I can’t believe I’m still exhausted from whatever I was still exhausted from.
I was still wondering what to do about Tibbs’ and Kathy’s conversation! Was Kathy really planning something like that? Anyway, Tibbs decided to walk up right behind me and scare me!
“Oops, sorry Chetmunk. Didn’t mean to scare you.” Tibbs said.
“Oh, that’s OK Tibbs. By the way, I overheard your conversation with Kathy this morning. Is she really planning to eat me?” I asked. Asking that question gave me jitters.
“I guess so. I don’t like the thought one bit.” Tibbs replied.
“Me neither.”
“Well, I guess we have to leave as soon as possible. In the rain will be our best choice.”
“Why rain?”
“Kathy can’t track us in rain.”
“OK. When is the next rainy day?”
“I don’t know. I think tomorrow.”
“OK. Then what do we pack? Dinner? I’m starving.”
“Oh, Chetunk. You’re always starving. We pack supplies.”
“Like dinner.”
Tibbs rolled his eyes, “I guess.”
So Tibbs and I packed. Food, water, assorted supplies, ,and other knik-knacks. “Don’t we need snacks?” I asked.
“No. We already have enough food to last both of us a whole week! We don’t need any more snacks.” Tibbs replied, giggling uncontrollably, “Anyway, why don’t you go run to see where Kathy is so we can escape without her seeing us; oh, wait. You are the one she’s trying to eat. OK. I’ll do it myself.”
So while Tibbs was off searching for Kathy, I added three walnuts, three peanuts, and five cashews just in case we ran out of food along the way.
When Tibbs returned, we head out on our journey through the woods and into a safe place where we could live in peace. We stopped once or twice to rest, and three times to eat.
After about an hour of walking, we found a clearing with an uprooted tree with vines covering the enterance. It looked like a home and we were so far into the woods that no one could find us. “Tibbs, I think we found home.” I said, admiring the clearing.
“I agree.” replied Tibbs.

The End