Raven Hoppersocks Iii and Granola's Bedtime, or Anytime Stories

By Michelle Zik-Grabow, Miranda Vitulli and Taliya Vitulli

Children crave a sweet, happy story at bedtime or anytime. These twenty-five delightful stories are filled with animals, mysteries, nature, adventures, and happy endings. Set on a farm surrounded by mystical forestland, one never knows what surprises await Raven Hoppersocks III, a very dignified cat, and Granola, his sentimental and free spirited companion—brother really. Come along on their grand adventures and get ready to have an indubitably delightful time!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796035803

Book preview

RAVEN HOPPERSOCKS III

AND

GRANOLA’S BEDTIME,

OR

ANYTIME STORIES

Michelle Zik- Grabow

Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Zik- Grabow.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2019942705

ISBN:       Hardcover             978-1-7960-3582-7

                 Softcover               978-1-7960-3581-0

                 eBook                    978-1-7960-3580-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are mo dels,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/24/2019

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

791968

CONTENTS

The Pocket Watch

Shadow Dances

Sipping Sap and other Woodland Pleasures

The Wee Prize

Finding Buggy

The Winter Journals

Essy and Bessy Moo Cow’s Orange Candlesticks

Something Sweet

The Lost Puppy

The Wishing Stick

The Visit

Balloon Messages

The Hidden Tree Swing and Scented Butterflies

Grammy’s Goodnight Tea

The Tadpole

The Cricket Parade

Discovering the Unseen

The Good Family Chickadee

Winter’s Quest

Cresco and Dragon

Saltwater Taffy

Owlina’s Dilemma

Evod Dove

Centipede Swirl

Bathtime and Bedtime

To my father, Howard Zik, with much love. Your bedtime

stories are legendary, and will always be an inspiration to me.

THE POCKET WATCH

This is the story of a curious, yet serious young cat named Raven Hoppersocks III. He often went by the name Hoppersocks. Now, Hoppersocks always thought this name suited him splendidly, for he was all charcoal gray, with four white paws that looked like socks, and a white chin with only half of a white mustache. He often wished he had a whole white mustache, as he felt this would make him look more distinguished, and very intelligent. Alas, half of a mustache would have to do. Hoppersocks was fond of scratching his half-stache when pondering something or solving a riddle.

One day, Hoppersocks was sunning himself near his favorite rock when he heard a noise in the thicket. Unable to concentrate on a riddle that he was trying to solve, he called out towards the green bush beside him,

Who is there? Is something the matter?

Just then, a frazzled response came from within the bush,

Oh yes, there is something quite the matter! came a reply, and a gray squirrel with kind, mischievous, and rather worried eyes appeared.

I am Granola, an ordinary gray squirrel. You see, I was on my way to my friend Hedgehog’s pickles and licorice birthday party when I lost his gift. It was a lovely gold pocket watch, and I can’t seem to find it anywhere!

Oh dear. said Hoppersocks, trying not to laugh at the squirrel’s name. Despite the squirrel’s dilemma, Hoppersocks’ thoughts kept coming back to what an absurd and comical name Granola was. Wasn’t granola some sort of breakfast cereal? thought the good cat. Anyhow, Hoppersocks tried to be of help in this most unfortunate situation.

Perhaps we can retrace your steps. I shall help you.

Granola’s expressive eyes seemed less worried and more hopeful as he thanked Hoppersocks over and over again.

Well let’s go, then! said Hoppersocks in his most encouraging voice. We will need to be very logical. Let’s start at the very beginning. Where did you start your journey to this pickles and licorice party? asked Hoppersocks while scratching his half mustache.

At my tree home just over there. replied Granola, while pointing to a large oak.

So the two of them, Granola and Hoppersocks, started their search at the large oak tree. They followed the path Granola had taken towards hedgehog’s party. First, the path led to a meadow. It was a beautiful meadow with soft blue and yellow wildflowers all around. Bordering the wood’s edge, purple and red wildflowers reflected the soft golden sunlight that shone from above. Granola suggested that it may be helpful if they asked the wildflowers if they had seen a pocket watch lying about.

Hoppersocks stared at Granola and simply stated,

Granola squirrel, every creature on this good earth knows that flowers cannot speak.

To that, Granola replied,

Yes they can. We just need to listen carefully, as they do speak ever so softly. Come with me, friend.

Hoppersocks followed Granola, feeling an odd sensation that Granola would be helping him, as much as he was helping Granola. He followed the squirrel to a sunny patch of the blue and yellow flowers.

Granola bent his head to the left and whispered, Lovely flowers, have you seen a golden pocket watch anywhere? It was meant to be a gift for my friend hedgehog’s birthday, and I lost it on my way to his pickles and licorice party.

Hoppersocks was quite sure that he and Granola would certainly not get a reply when he heard a whisper unlike any other that he had ever heard. It was like air and breeze mingled with sound and voice. Indeed, it was a most wise and melodious sound that whispered,

The high trees seem to sparkle more brilliantly today. Your lost treasure may be at the top looking down at its owner.

Oh, thank you, flowers! responded Granola, while bowing his head. Well let’s go, Hoppersocks.

Hoppersocks found his astonished voice and bid farewell to the flowers before heading off to the tall trees in the distance. The trees were magnificent. Their trunks were so tall, they seemed to touch the sky. Hoppersocks and Granola both felt a bit daunted at the thought of climbing one of these trees.

The treetops must have interesting conversations with the clouds. commented Granola. Hoppersocks dismissed this thought, for the time being, and decided to be logical.

Their task was to climb the trees in search of a lost pocket watch.

Let’s climb the tallest one, suggested Hoppersocks. This way, we can look down at all the other treetops once we are there.

Jolly good! smiled Granola. Do you suppose we will really find the pocket watch, and I will be able to give it to hedgehog?

If we don’t, at least we will know we tried our best. Hoppersocks replied.

Granola was glad that he made a new friend as logical as Hoppersocks. Together they climbed higher and higher. Granola had no trouble at all. Being an ordinary gray squirrel, he was well suited to climbing up trees and balancing on the smallest of branches. Hoppersocks, however, was quite used to his favorite rock. He enjoyed riddles and reading, and rarely used his claws to climb.

How much higher? said Hoppersocks, trying to sound unafraid.

Just a little bit higher, my friend. encouraged Granola.

Finally, the two of them were at the top of the big fir tree. The view was so beautiful that they instantly knew that the long climb was worth it. In fact, Granola and Hoppersocks almost forgot that they were searching for the lost gift. Just as they were gazing at the open fields in the distance, a loud shriek filled their ears.

It was coming closer and closer. Suddenly Hoppersocks saw a large brown and white eagle heading towards them. Her wings must have been five feet wide, and her eyes stared at the two friends with anger and distrust.

Eagles eat squirrels, you know. said Granola, with a tremble in his voice.

Oh dear! exclaimed Hoppersocks.

Just then, the huge bird spoke to them, her voice much softer than they thought it would be.

What brings you to my nursery? State your business here. demanded the eagle.

Please, Madam, answered Hoppersocks. We did not mean to disturb you. We are looking for a lost pocket watch that was meant to be a birthday present for a hedgehog.

And why would you look way up here? asked the eagle, regarding Hoppersocks and Granola with doubt and suspicion.

The flowers led us here. answered Granola quite nervously, yet brave at the same time.

This caused the eagle to pause a bit.

The flowers are excellent judges of character. They would never send any creature to an eagle’s nursery if harm was intended.

You climbed up here to retrieve your lost gift?.

Yes, stated Granola, afraid that he may be eaten at any moment.

Very well, I shall reunite you with your pocket watch. You see, I found it on the meadow floor and brought it to my nest. It looked very interesting and I thought it might amuse my children. It shall be returned to you, since you are its rightful owners.

Thank you, Madam. responded Hoppersocks, spotting a nest a few yards away.

Hoppersocks saw seven small downy heads peeking out from the bottom of the nest. An odd feeling of amusement and protectiveness came over him.

Don’t cats eat baby birds? asked the eagle sharply.

Oh yes, but not today, and never these eaglets, never ever! Hoppersocks reassured, thinking to himself that he may become a vegetarian, and indeed, he later did.

And don’t eagles eat squirrels? asked Granola.

Oh yes, but not today, and never you. replied the eagle. I will fetch your pocket watch.

With that, the eagle mama brought Hoppersocks and Granola their lost treasure, and gave them each a feather to remember her by.

Good-bye, and thank you, my friend. The good cat and squirrel said, as they made their way down the tree.

Once at the bottom of the tree, Hoppersocks and Granola stood quietly, astonished by all that had just happened.

Well this certainly was an adventure. said Hoppersocks.

To that, Granola excitedly replied, But the adventure need not stop here, my friend! Come to the pickles and licorice birthday party. Let’s give hedgehog the pocket watch together. My friends shall become your friends, too.

Hoppersocks thought logically for a bit.

What a splendid idea, making new friends and sharing his and Granola’s story with hedgehog and the party guests.

Okay, thank you for asking me to accompany you. I would be delighted to come along. answered Hoppersocks.

Together, Hoppersocks and Granola went to the party with the golden pocket watch held safely in their paws. The flowers danced happily in the breeze that day, for they knew that Hoppersocks and Granola would become best friends, brothers really, and have many grande adventures to come.

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SHADOW DANCES

Granola was always fascinated by the weeping willow trees. They were unlike all the other trees of the woodlands. Their long, leaf covered branches would droop and dance constantly. The slightest breeze could make the willowy dance production begin, and the willow branches were not the only things that danced. Their shadows danced, too. The limbs would cast shadows that would mimic its master. Watching the willow’s shadow dance in the sunlight was always great fun for