The Scouts: Short Stories from Long Hill, #4

By Janice Wee

Destruction will come upon Long Hill. Animal residents must find a new home.

Hannah Hen, Simon Squirrel and Monroe Mongoose are sent to scout around for the massive reserve which humans are rumoured to have set aside for wildlife. 

The trio navigates through unfamiliar terrain to search for Blake Bluebird who knows the way to that animal paradise. 

Along the way, they encounter snakes, wolves and other predators.

Follow the unlikely companions in their adventures to the promised land, through this heartwarming tale of friendship, misunderstandings and sacrifice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janice Wee
• Release date: Apr 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224401710

Janice Wee

Janice Wee is Straits Born Chinese from Singapore. She is a sixth generation Singaporean, the daughter of two English teachers and who spent her childhood in libraries. Learn more about the worlds and characters in her stories in her website janicewee.com

Book preview

The Artist

Scritch. Scratch.

Hannah Hen took a step back and scrutinized her work.

From the top of the hill, she could see the entire field. Each family of chickens claimed a part of the vast expanse as their home. Mothers built nests beneath bushes or trees for shelter. From where she stood, the chicks looked like little dots, the roosters resembled bigger spots.

The softwood tree stump was the perfect canvas for her masterpiece. With her claws, she had scratched out her rendition of trees, bushes and little shelters. Tilting her head, she realized what’s missing.

Peck. Peck-peck. Peck-peck-peck.

She ran over the stump, busying herself with her rendition of the chickens who lived in the field. One peck to represent a chick, two for a hen and three for a rooster.

Ignoring her throbbing beak, she completed her masterpiece.

That’s a stunning work of art!

A loud grunt startled her.

Squawk!

Hannah fell on her tail.

Sorry, Hannah, the big boar looked sheepish.

It’s okay, Basil, she huffed. What brings you here?

You are Long Hill’s finest artist, Basil began. I want you to join our scout team. We need an artist of your calibre to draw the map.

I’m not the sporty type, Hannah protested. I have zero sense of direction.

Jasper will lead the team. Simon is strong enough to carry you if necessary, Basil assured her.

C’mon Hannah, a pair of gleaming eyes peered through a bush beside her.

Cluck!

Stop it you guys, she composed herself. You scared me so much I almost lost an egg.

Hey, a large reddish brown squirrel dropped down from a tree in front of her and walked up with placating paws. We didn’t mean to frighten you.

It’ll be fun, a cheeky little rodent climbed down the bush and offered her a nut. You, me and Simon will have a blast. We’ll go sightseeing and sample new cuisine.

What if we get lost? Hannah frowned.

Not with me around, Jasper, the smaller squirrel laughed. He had an enviable rapport with migratory birds. Jasper’s  flying buddies told him how to get to the reserve. The promised paradise thrived with wildlife and all the delightful treats birds and squirrels can get along the way. That was why Basil chose Jasper to lead the scout team.

The sparrows say we’ll go through a meadow you’ll love. There are juicy worms which are fatter than Simon’s arm, there, he pinched the bigger squirrel’s arm.

We want you because you’re the best artist in the whole of Long Hill, Basil praised the indecisive hen.

I second that, Simon chirped.

Hannah’s the best, Jasper exclaimed.

Hannah blushed. If you put it that way, okay.

The squirrels high fived each other, chattering in delight. Jasper lurched forward and hugged the hen. I knew you’d come around.

"Jasper,