The Squirrel Friends Adventures: The Monster and the Great Storm

By E. Douglass

Tommy and Lisa always spend summers at their grandparents cabin in the woods of New Hampshire, where they swim, fish, hike and sail. During the rest of the year they live in Columbus, Ohio where they have a lot of friends but they really miss their grandparents. Tommy and his friend Greg, who lives on Mirror Lake near the cabin, fish all summer long for lake trout and bass. Lisa and Gregs sister Rita also join in on the fun. All the children enjoy playing at Reflection Cove, where theres a very big oak treeso big that they could build a fort in it!

But the oak tree is home to something special. Inside the great tree lives a large community of squirrels of many colors and types, ruled by a good king and queen. The squirrels all call each other friends, and they live very happily.

When a hurricane hits the coast of New Hampshire, the childrens fun has taken a new direction, and the old oak tree is badly damaged. Now the human children must help their new squirrel friends, who might find themselves out in the cold when winter arrives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781475966398

E. Douglass

E. Douglass spent most of his childhood summers on an island 2 miles off the coast of Maine or in New Hampshire’s woods. As an adult he has traveled throughout the United States, incorporating his adventures in his stories. He has called Columbus, Ohio, his home for the last thirty-two years.

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Copyright © 2013 E. Douglass.

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-6638-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-6640-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-6639-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013900783

iUniverse rev. date: 2/13/2013

Contents

Chapter 1.   The Woods

Chapter 2.   On the Other Side

Chapter 3.   Sailing

Chapter 4.   Rough Night

Chapter 5.   Reflection Cove

Chapter 6.   A New Day

Chapter 7.   Save Our Home

Chapter 8.   Working Together

Chapter 9.   It’s Morning

Chapter 10.   It Was Time

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The Woods

THE MORNING SUN had just broken through on the horizon and there was still a fog that lingered over Mirror Lake. You could hear the loons calling out to one another with their haunting songs. The forest was just waking after a peaceful night’s sleep and the noises of all the chattering squirrels in the forest echoed around the huge old Oak tree.

No one knew how old the giant Oak tree was but it has been told that it has been there since the beginning of time. Most of the other trees in the forest were white Birch which made them glow when the moon was full and visible. All the squirrels that lived in the giant Oak, lived and played in harmony together.

There were many different types of squirrels that lived in the giant Oak, Red, White, Gray and Black. There were even squirrels that knew how to fly and for great distances. All of the flying squirrels lived at the very top of the giant Oak so they could soar around the forest and sound off an alarm if there was any

Trouble approaching the friends tree. A friend was the way that all of the squirrels that lived in the Oak tree referred to one another.

There was also a King and Queen that ruled over all that lived in the friends Oak tree. Queen Ann was a beautiful red squirrel that was admired by all for her beauty and gentle qualities.

Her husband King Daniel was thought of to be a wise and extremely well spoken gray squirrel. He had a bit of a pouch about his belly which was well earned Queen Ann would say. It showed that things have been prosperous for a good many years.

The friends at the old Oak took care of a new Oak grove that was newly planted just on the other side of the white birch forest.

They were always planting some of the gathered acorn nuts in the rich dark soil of the forest. It may have been a task but they would always have a plentiful supply of the delicious acorn nuts that the Oak trees produced.

The great Oak tree where all the friends lived, stored enough acorns in its belly the King thought for years.

The houses that the friends lived in looked just like huge Acorn Nuts hanging off the large branches. There must have been at least a hundred of these types of dwellings that were passed down from generation to generation.

Of course the younger squirrels played most days chasing each other up and down and all around the massive tree. Like all children they sometimes got under foot while their parents tended the new Oak grove so the Queen, and her ladies would often take the youngsters down to Mirror Lake for an afternoon of fun and exploration.

With sunset just a few hours away Queen Ann called to the children to gather their things. She told them that it was time to return home to the great Oak. Sara, a pretty white squirrel, was asking to stay just a few more minutes as she and her brother Liam were having so much fun.

The Queens ladies explained to the children that, there is a time for play and that time had now ended. Also that tonight there was going to be a special event and that the King was going to hold court with everyone.

What is hold court? Sara asked one of the Queens ladies.

Before she could say anything the Queen began to speak to all the children telling them that when the King holds court it is to let everyone know how well the kingdom was doing and if there were any changes that would effect all of the friends at the great Oak tree.

Sara and Liam jumped up and down with excitement. I can’t wait to go to court tonight, Liam said to his sister.

All the rest of the young squirrel friends began to talk amongst themselves with the anticipation of this evening’s court. They weren’t old enough to remember when the last time that court was held by the King.

When they had returned to the great Oak tree there were banquet tables set up with colorful banners that were hanging from all the white birch trees surrounding the great Oak.

All of the young friends’ parents were there, Sara and Liam both ran to their parents who were standing up in front of the great Oak waiting for the King and Queen to appear.

Suddenly the trumpets started to sound announcing that the moment had arrived, the King and Queen would be in view any second. Anticipation was great and all the squirrel friends started to cheer when they saw the King and Queen descending the great tree in a large colored acorn.

The King and Queen waved to all the friends that were present and smiled at each other. The Queen gave the King’s hand a gentle squeeze; he turned and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The King held up his hands to quiet the friends so he could speak.

Friends, Friends the King called out. Welcome, Welcome! As always, it is our pleasure to see all of our loyal friends and subjects!

I would like to thank everyone for all of their hard work in getting our acorns planted so they’ll be ready for next year’s harvest. We shall celebrate all of your hard work with a feast and music. Our storage bins in the great Oak are full for the coming winter. With everyone working together it will make the winter easier for all, Our Friends.

The crowd of squirrel friends all cheered for the King and Queen and the trumpets started to sound once again to announce the start of the feast. The children were running and climbing on the great tree chattering and laughing and having a grand ole time. But all too soon for the young friends the day faded into night and the feast came to an end. All the friends went home happy and feeling everything was as it should be before a long winter.

Come morning the children were still talking about the grand feast the night before and what fun they had. Their mother and father were still sleeping when the children went out on the branches to greet the day. Sara and Liam could see that their friends were also out on the branches running and playing tag.

Roxie who was Sara’s best friend was waving to her and