An Unlikely Friend

By Stephen ONeill

Philoh and Ely must rescue the fair Belle from the treacherous Two-Leggers! Follow our intrepid squirrels, on their epic quest, through danger and discovery, as they learn about the wide world beyond their idyllic Grove. Meet Winston, a singularly snooty barnyard cat, who becomes accomplice, and an unlikely friend to our heroes in their daring rescue attempt.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen ONeill
• Release date: Sep 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301974573

Stephen ONeill

My life is not exciting; my stories are. Besides writing, I like to cook, play guitar, and oil paint (all my cover-art is done by me). FYI: all my proceeds from "An Unlikely Friend" will be going to Sandy relief.

Book preview

An Unlikely Friend

By S.J. O’Neill

Copyright 2012 S.J. O’Neill

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

creativecommons.org

Table of Contents

Chapter I -- Missing

Chapter II -- The Falling Water

Chapter III -- Caves

Chapter IV -- Winston

Chapter V -- Cages

Chapter VI -- The Plan

An Unlikely Friend

By

S.J. O’Neill

Chapter I -- Missing

The trees in the forest were very old and very tall, and from below, their leaves blazed the brilliant red, yellow, and orange of the season. The forest floor was dappled with cool color; a pastel shade of every leaf up above, except where the hazy Autumnseason Sunbeams peeked through, spotlighting dewy patches of vivid green grass.

It wasn't the least bit chilly today, but Philoh knew he had to keep working, gathering nuts and roots to store. The air was nippier every morning, and it wouldn't be long before Winterseason would come, blowing frost down out of the mountains. The leaves were still bright though, and Philoh busied himself picking and poking about. The Sun was beginning to cast long shadows on the forest floor. Philoh thought: Enough work for today, let me go visit my friend Ely.

Ely was a squirrel, (as was Philoh) who lived with his folks, (as did Philoh) a few oaks and elms and maples away from where Philoh lived. Ely was a bit younger than Philoh, and Philoh always imagined that Ely looked up to him, sort of like a big brother (which he did, but he tried not to show it too much). As he came to the oldest and tallest tree in the Grove, he saw Ely running in terror.

Philoh! Philoh! They've taken Belle! They've taken Belle!

Now, Belle was Ely’s sister, and much closer to Philoh's age, and all the squirrels in the Grove knew how Belle felt about Philoh; she loved him. She never actually told Philoh, but I think he had an idea about it.

What are you talking about Ely? Now calm down, and tell me nice and slow.

So, Ely explained to Philoh how he was gathering down by the banks of the Rushing Water when he saw an old Two-Legger walking, with a sack, through the Meadow on the other side. He did not think it very odd, for Ely had seen Two-Leggers in the Meadow across the Rushing Water