Heroes and Friends

By Rod Mortenson

In the heat of the summer, when Blueberries are at their finest, you should wander down the path that crosses the Big Meadow. If you are careful and quiet, you will see the strangest party you can imagine.

Animals of all types now gather at the far end, near the creek bank. They bring food of all kinds. But everyone agrees that their favorite snack is the Blueberries!

For a day or two they forget the cares and troubles of the world. They enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other. And I think that with each passing year, the Big Meadow becomes a better place to live.

The Big Meadow: Home of Heroes and Friends!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728339511

Rod Mortenson

Rodney Mortenson, also known as Grampa Rod, was born and raised in northern Minnesota. He grew up among the trees, lakes, rivers, farms, and wildlife found in the north woods. The stories found in the Big Meadow book series are based on things, places, and situations he experienced in the northland. They were told and written for his grandchildren and are now being shared with you. He hopes you will enjoy these few minutes we spend together visiting the many characters we find in the Big Meadow!

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 Rod Mortenson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

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Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3950-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3951-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019920628

Published by AuthorHouse 12/18/2019

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About the Author

Rodney Mortenson, also known as Grampa Rod, was born and raised in northern Minnesota. He grew up among the trees, lakes, rivers, farms, and wildlife found in the north woods.

The stories found in the Big Meadow book series are based on things, places, and situations he experienced in the northland.

They were told and written for his grandchildren and are now being shared with you.

He hopes you will enjoy these few minutes we spend together visiting the many characters we find in the Big Meadow!

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One

Into the Big Forest

Chapter Two

Tree Trunk Trouble

Chapter Three

Sudden Danger!

Chapter Four

To Camelot!

Chapter Five

Monster Berries!

Chapter Six

Blueberry Barge!

Chapter Seven

Wiggins Creek!

Chapter Eight

BRUNO!

Chapter Nine

Heroes and Friends!

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The Big Meadow

The Big Meadow

Introduction

Out in the country, where the farmland ends and the forest begins, there is a very special place known as The Big Meadow.

The Big Meadow is nestled between Farmer Smith’s pasture and the edge of the forest. Among its many residents, there is a large family of field mice.

The Big Meadow Book Series tells the adventures of three of the most interesting young mice in the entire meadow as they live and interact with the fascinating world around them.

Spike is the oldest and bravest of the three. If a leader was chosen out of the group, it would probably be him. His real name is Steve, but his friends call him Spike because of his unruly crop of hair.

Curly is slightly younger than Spike, but is actually a little bigger. His real name is Chester, but his friends call him Curly. He seems to be the brains of the bunch.

Squeeky, whose real name is Mike, is the youngest and smallest of the group. He gets his nickname from the sound of his non-stop voice.

Come with me as we join the trio on an adventure that took place one hot summer afternoon. They found themselves face to face with danger and opportunity. With courage and cunning they not only made their way through the challenges of the day, but also found themselves among Heroes and Friends!

Together we can visit their little corner of the world. It’s a lovely place that I return to again and again. I hope you will, too. Perhaps someday we will meet down near Wiggin’s Creek, in the corner of The Big Meadow.

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Under the Fern Leaves

Chapter One

Into the Big Forest

Spike lay in the shade of a big fern leaf with his two buddies. They were hot, and they were bored. They had no idea what kind of an adventure they were about to experience.

What do you think, Spike? Want to chase a beetle? Huh, Spikey? Squeeky seemed to chatter non-stop, and it was beginning to get