The Hibernuats - a Tale of Human Hibernation

By Dandy Ahaoma Ahuruonye

In the snug corner of Snoozeville, where snowflakes pirouetted like sugar-dusted ballerinas and the air was thick with the scent of hot cocoa, a captivating caper began to unfurl. "Hibernation," our storyteller declared, "is nature's clever way of hitting the pause button. Think of it as pressing snooze on an animal's hustle-bustle." "Alrighty, mates," she chirped, "let's snuggle up and conserve those nibbles!" So, the critters of Snoozeville (including humans, thanks to Groccolli) readied themselves for the Grand Winter Snoozefest. Bears guzzled honey as if it were going out of style, squirrels crammed their cheeks with nuts quicker than a squirrel on a sugar rush. And the hedgehogs? They munched on bugs as if tomorrow was a myth! Barry Bear, puffing out his chest, bragged, "Hibernation's a piece of cake! Just munch, snooze, and repeat!"

But hang on, my little dreamers, it's not all about snuggles and Zzz's. Inside their cosy dens, something wonderful stirs. Their bodies morph into energy misers, saving every ounce of vitality. Heartbeats slow, breaths become scarce, and their inner warmth dims to a gentle glow. "Keep your spikes on!" grumbled Hazel Hedgehog, curling into a prickly sphere. As they snooze, their reserves turn into lifelines, powering their systems with the strength of a nut's essence. But don't be fooled; this isn't mere idleness; it's a lesson in resilience!

The hibernuats often faced puzzles. Take, for instance, Snoozeville's Dreamscape, where occasionally, a youngster's dream would twist into a frightful vision, casting a shadow over this dreamy domain. The skies would darken, the breeze turned icy. The younglings realised that nightmares sprout from fear and worry, and conquering them meant facing and understanding these fears. United, they delved into these eerie dreams, wielding the glow of camaraderie and insight, turning terrors into blissful visions by tackling the root of their unease. During one frosty peak, they stumbled upon a secret nook within Groccolli's digital realm, dubbed "Dreamscape." A sanctuary for lost aspirations and neglected notions, Dreamscape shimmered with life, yet faced peril from an enigmatic bug that threatened to erase dreams, plunging the world into a drab abyss. Once, even Groccolli hit a snag. The youngsters had to brainstorm fixes to preserve the hibernation harmony.

As spring made its grand entrance, it seemed as though the snooze alarm had been pressed once too often. The fauna stretched, yawned, and with a flick of their tails, they were primed to frolic, bound, and leap into the fray. "Blimey!" guffawed Simak the Squirrel, squinting at the daylight. "I reckon I've dozed off for an age!" And so goes the saga of how Snoozeville's inhabitants triumphed over the chill, armed solely with their savvy, a gut full of grub, and dreams as billowy as candyfloss clouds, all thanks to the ingenious automaton, Groccolli. Next time you spot a dozing squirrel, tip your hat. It's likely scheming for its forthcoming escapade fuelled by peanuts!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dandy Ahuruonye
• Release date: Apr 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224757183

Book preview

CREDITS

Illustrated by

dandyahuruonyebooks

Original lifetime tales from the children’s storyteller

‘HIBERNUAT:’ A LINGUISTIC INNOVATION

This article presents a linguistic innovation in the realm of zoological classification.

Abstract

In the intricate labyrinth of the English language, where every facet of human existence finds its linguistic counterpart, a conspicuous void has lingered—an expression that succinctly captures the quintessence of beings that yield to the tranquil allure of hibernation. This scholarly discourse advocates for the incorporation of ‘Hibernuat,’ its plural form ‘Hibernuats,’ and the adjective ‘hibernuatic,’ as essential augmentations to the English lexicon, addressing a lexical void that has long yearned for completion.

The Imperative for Nomenclature

Language, akin to a perpetually evolving entity, thrives on the necessity to christen the unnamed, to classify the unclassified. The act of hibernation, a phenomenon as primordial as life itself, has intriguingly remained a linguistic orphan in the chronicles of English terminology. The term ‘Hibernuat,’ a linguistic amalgamation of the Latin ‘hibernare,’ signifying ‘to winter,’ and ‘nauta:’ Dutch (Friesland): Translates into Latin from Dutch ‘schipper, meaning ‘boatman.’ The Dutch word nauta itself means ‘sailor;’ Italian: In Italian, ‘Nauta’ is possibly a professional name for a sailor, from ‘helmsman’ (related to Latin ‘nauta). So, depending on the context and language, ‘Nauta’ has connections to seafaring and maritime activities; that explains why we at times say that a creature has gone, or is going into hibernation. Therefore, Hibernuat, denoting ‘winter sailor,’ emerges as a much-desired epithet for these seasonal navigators of slumber.

The Advocacy for ‘Hibernuat’

The induction of ‘Hibernuat’ into everyday parlance is not merely a linguistic novelty but a leap towards enhanced precision and lucidity. The term ‘hibernate’ exists as a verb, and its nominal equivalent has been conspicuously absent, leading to laborious and circuitous descriptions. ‘Hibernuat’ proffers a concise and specific term that venerates the unique biological state of these beings, elevating discourse and enriching both scientific and colloquial dialogues.

The Hibernuatic Concord

The embrace of ‘hibernuatic’ as an adjective provides a harmonious accompaniment to ‘Hibernuat,’ facilitating the depiction of phenomena, behaviour, and attributes associated with the ‘hibernatory’ state. It is an expression that encapsulates the tranquillity and conservation inherent to hibernation, offering a linguistic instrument that is both poetic and precise.

Conclusion

In summation, the introduction of ‘Hibernuat,’ ‘Hibernuats,’ and ‘hibernuatic’ into the English language is a stride that rectifies a historical oversight. It is a proposition that acknowledges the significance of nomenclature in sculpting our comprehension of the natural world. As such, the English-speaking populace should embrace these terms and enshrine them within the annals of dictionaries and texts, standing as a testament to the dynamic and responsive nature of our language. This article, crafted with the utmost diligence, stands as an original piece of scholarly work, advocating for a linguistic transformation that is both necessary and overdue. This article, crafted with the utmost diligence, stands as a clarion call for linguists, lexicographers, and aficionados of language to adopt these terms, ensuring that the hibernating inhabitants of our planet finally receive the recognition they so profoundly deserve. Let us, therefore, welcome ‘Hibernuat,’ ‘Hibernuats,’ and ‘hibernuatic’ into our collective consciousness, and in doing so, enrich the tapestry of English with new threads of understanding and appreciation.

a large hibernation hall with kids engaging in friendly dialogue to discourage troublemakers, surrounded by hundreds of people and animals hibernating inside fancy pods

THE FREE HIBERNUATS

In the land of the Rising Sun,

Lived creatures, yes, Hibernuats,

When winter winds began to blow,

Into deep slumber, they would go.

"Hibernuat, Hibernuat, oh so wise,

Dreaming beneath the winter skies.

In your sleep, what do you see?

Is it a world full of glee?"

"Hibernuat, Hibernuat, oh so grand,

In a winter wonderland.

With dreams as sweet as a honey bun,

Underneath the sleepy sun."

"Hibernuat, Hibernuat, oh so free,

In your dreams, what do you see?

Is it a world where dreams fly,

In the soft and gentle moonlight?"

The Hibernuats, big and small,

Slept through winter, spring, and fall.

With dreams full of fun and play,

In their own Hibernuatic style.

"Hibernuat, Hibernuat, in your den,

Will we ever see you again?

When do you wake from sleep so deep,

And out of your cosy burrow leap?"

Then one day, to everyone's delight,

The Hibernuats woke up, oh what a sight!

They stretched and yawned, and with a cheer,

Announced, The Hibernuats are here!

"Hibernuat, Hibernuat, welcome back,

From your long and dreamy track.

Your hibernation is now behind,

It's time to rise and have some fun!"

So remember, when winter comes,

And you hear the distant drums,

The Hibernuats are going to sleep,

In their burrows, so dark and deep.

"Hibernuat, Hibernuat, oh so bright,

Sleeping through the cold winter night.

We'll see you in the morning light,

Sweet dreams, Hibernuat, and goodnight!"

IN THE FOREST, WHERE the whispers hush,

And snowflakes falling in a silent rush,

Lives a creature that is quite astute,

Known to everyone as the Hibernuat.

Goodnight, you, says the bat with a flap,

"I'll wrap up my wings for a long winter's nap.

In the cave, where echoes bounce around,

I'll snooze away my time, ounce by ounce."

The turtle nods, "I'll dive deep,

In the mud, where dreams are cheap.

As a Hibernuat, I'll take my time,

Until the spring's first chime."

The snake hisses, "It's my turn,

To coil up tight and let time burn.

In the den, I'll lay quite static,

Dreaming of hibernuatic life."

The frog croaks, "I'll bury down,

In the pond, where frost does frown.

As a Hibernuat, I'll rest my legs,

And dream of dancing on water's edge."

So let's give a cheer for the Hibernuats,

For their winter's sleep in cosy spots.

They remind us all, with every snore,

That spring will come, just like before.

a large hibernation hall with kids engaging in friendly dialogue to discourage troublemakers, surrounded by hundreds of people and animals hibernating inside fancy pods

1: HIBERNATION MECHANICS

Acaptivating and enigmatic phenomenon exists in nature's grand theatre, where every creature has a role. This is the story of hibernation, a remarkable strategy programmed into some animals to survive the harsh winter months. It’s a tale of endurance and adaptation, a testament to the resilience of life in the face of adversity. Hibernation, dear children, is a state of deep sleep that some animals enter during the cold winter months. It’s a bit like a long, cosy nap that helps them conserve energy when food is scarce. Imagine, if you will, a bear curled up in its den, its breathing very slow and steady, its heart beating lightly. This is hibernation