Friday, December 24, 2010

Napkin 48


Suddenly, the cracking stopped with one loud crack, the whole room shook violently, and the back half that the rats were standing on began to slide down the hill toward the river. “Good-bye and good riddance!” yelled Abernasty. “Quickly, Mezzo, you gotta get the keys to the cages from Soot!” ordered Bandy. “I’m on it!” she said and sped down the hill.


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Napkin 47


“Well … it looks like we have worn out our welcome here boys,” scoffed Abernasty. “Your escape mechanism better work the way you have bragged about it, Soot.” Then Soot reached over and pulled down a lever on the wall. Suddenly, a crack started to form on the floor between the two opposing forces. Then it continued up both walls and all the way across the ceiling.


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Napkin 46


“How dare you come into my lair and give me orders!” retorted Abernasty indignantly. “Get him boys!” At that, the creature raised his arms and seemed to double in size as the wings all over him expanded and he was lifted to the ceiling. “I am the Changemaster,” he said in a calm but strong voice. Then hundreds of woodland creatures of all kinds flooded into the room ready to fight.


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Napkin 45


Everyone in the rats nest became quiet and stood still as the mysterious figure hovered into the room. He was very large and seemed to have black wings all over his body. Under a dark hood, all that could be seen were two large glassy eyes. “Abernasty!” he said in a strong commanding voice. “You must stop violating the Laws of the Changeling!”


Monday, December 20, 2010

Napkin 44


Suddenly, Pearl gasped and grabbed Quincy’s arm to show him that one-by-one each hummingbird was losing their beautiful shimmering color and dropping lifelessly to the floor of the cell. Then, to everyone’s great astonishment, there came a loud thunder-like rumble and billowing white smoke from the entrance of the rats nest, as a dark figure emerged.


Friday, December 17, 2010

Napkin 43


Suddenly, Abernasty began to stand up and shafts of light seemed to cut outward from him into the room. His entire appearance seemed to be changing as his ears shrunk and flopped down and his snout shortened and rounded. “Now it’s all mine!” he said as he raised the glowing scepter stone. And all the black jacket rats began to chant wildly.


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Napkin 42


“Alright Abernasty, I’ll do it, but I guarantee that you will regret this day as long as you live,” said Quincy as he prepared the Changeling elements. “First, eat this scroll …” “Aaayck!” choked Abernasty. “Now, drink this potion quickly,” ordered Quincy. “Everyone … stand back!” exclaimed Quincy as Abernasty screamed loudly and fell to his knees.


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Napkin 41


“I’m begging you, Abernasty. Please don’t do this. I’m trying to help you,” pleaded Quincy. “You have no idea of the power of being a Changeling and the awesome responsibility that accompanies it.” “Get that pudgy possum out of the cage and tie the weight around her neck!” ordered Abernasty. As the black jacket rats tied Pearl up she said, “Don’t do it Quincy, dear. I will be … I’m not afraid.”


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Napkin 40


“Please don’t make me do this,” pleaded Quincy. “The powers of the Changeling are intended to be used for good, not evil.” “Just shut that old fool up, father!” snapped Soot, Abernasty’s sniveling son. “I’m warning you Phitch. If those hummingbirds don’t change into vile poisonous black spiders, your mate will take a one-way trip to the bottom of the river,” threatened Abernasty.


Monday, December 13, 2010

Napkin 39


Meanwhile, deep in the rats nest, Abernasty angrily paced back and forth. “Alright Phitch,” he demanded. “It better work this time or your meddling mate will meet her Maker! I just know she had something to do with the blackbird fiasco. They are a flock of useless idiots! The hummingbird change better be a different story.”


Friday, December 10, 2010

Napkin 38


“You are correct, of course, Bandy,” replied Hedgie. “I don’t want to put my father and mother, or anyone else here in the forest in any more danger than they already are.” “Hmmm, speaking of my father gives me an idea,” thought Hedgie. “Rats tend to be a little gullible and superstitious, right Bandy?”


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Napkin 37


“Those are my father and mother!” exclaimed Hedgie. “I just know it’s them! We have to get them out of there now!” “Hold on, hold on now!” ordered Bandy. “Our plans have had to change a bit since you two came along and it is way too dangerous to just go barging in there without a new plan,” said Bandy.


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Napkin 36


“We were about to go in and rescue the hummingbirds when you two stumbled into the tunnel,” said Bandy. “We did not know what to think, but figured it had something to do with the other two hedgehogs who are locked up in the rats nest.”


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Napkin 35


“I am Bandy Coon, and this is my brother Bandit. We organized this resistance group here in the forest because we are sick of Abernasty and his band of black jacket rats,” said the raccoon. “When they captured the hummingbirds and threatened to change them into black spiders, that was the last straw.” Then Bandy stopped and stared at Hedgie.


Monday, December 6, 2010

Napkin 34


“We are here to help,” said the raccoon. “Your blackbird friends are being escorted back here by our sentinels.” “They are really sea otters. And they are my family,” interrupted Chester politely. “Well, that explains their awkwardness and their eagerness,” replied the raccoon. “But we must hurry if we are to help the hummingbirds! Come with us quickly!” insisted the raccoon.


Friday, December 3, 2010

Napkin 33


The otter-birds flew over the forest above the rats nest and then down into the branches of the trees to spy out the situation. As they got closer, they were quickly confronted by a band of sentinel squirrels. While Hedgie, Chester and Mezzo were waiting for the spy report, they heard a rustling sound behind them, so they turned around and saw a large group of all kinds of forest animals, led by a raccoon.


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Napkin 32


“Ok you blackbirds…” said Mezzo. “Excuse me, Mezzo,” interrupted Chester politely. “They are really otters and they are my family.” “Exactly!” said Mezzo. “Thank you, Chester. You are exactly right. Now you otters, disguised as blackbirds, can go in there and spy on the rats for us.” “They said yes,” said Chester as they flew away to the rats nest.


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Napkin 31


“Hey you guys up there! It’s me, Chester! Come down here today because we want to help you and we want to help hummingbirds and we want to help Hedgie’s mother! So come!” Amazingly, the blackbirds began to form a big ring in the sky and then spiral down to the clearing.


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Napkin 30


Soon the narrow tunnel opened into a clearing in the forest and they could see the sky again. Hedgie and Chester were glad to be out of the dark woods. “Ok, get them down here!” said Mezzo. “We have no time to lose!” Chester looked up and saw the flock of flapping squawking blackbirds.


Monday, November 29, 2010

Napkin 29


Mezzo darted quickly back up the tunnel. “Wait for us!” said Chester. She stopped abruptly and seemed to dart in every direction creating a star pattern. Suddenly, a door in the wall opened. “Quickly! In here! We have no time to lose!” said Mezzo. The door led to a narrow tunnel that climbed steadily uphill.


Friday, November 26, 2010

Napkin 28


“I thought there was something fishy about those blackbirds,” she said, puzzled. “They didn’t seem to understand me when I asked them to help me rescue my friends.” “I could ask them,” offered Chester. “I could help you, too,” said Hedgie. “Great! Let’s go make a plan,” she said. As she darted away she said, “I’m Mezzo, follow me!”


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Napkin 27

“I was just getting ready to go in there and rescue my friends when you two bumblers ambled in,” she said. “There might be bad rats in there,” warned Chester. “Um, what he means is – we have been tracking a band of mean black rats to this very spot,” explained Hedgie. “They changed my family into blackbirds,” added Chester.


[Happy Thanksgiving! KD~j~]

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Napkin 26


Hedgie and Chester turned around and saw that it was a beautiful blue hummingbird who spoke to them. “Quickly!” she said sharply. “Get over here before they see you! Are you two out of your minds!?!” she whispered incredulously. “You were walking right into the rats nest!”


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Napkin 25


As Hedgie and Chester approached the yellow light, a bright blue buzzing light darted several times side-to-side in front of them and stopped them in their tracks. “What was that?” asked Chester, startled. “I don’t know!” exclaimed Hedgie. “It was me!” whispered a voice behind them. “Now will you two please be quiet!”


Monday, November 22, 2010

Napkin 24


The forest was thick with trees and it got darker and darker as Hedgie and Chester walked, but the path was clear, like a damp tunnel, cutting its way through it. They lost track of time in the eerie darkness, but finally, the dank silence was broken by a slight yellow glow from a flickering fire.


Saturday, November 20, 2010

Photo-Op Hedgie

[Here is the stuffed animal that inspired the character in the story. KD~j~]


Friday, November 19, 2010

Napkin 23

As Hedgie and Chester saw more yellow flowers and got closer and closer to the forest, they both noticed a flock of blackbirds squawking and flapping above it. “Is that another clue?” asked Chester. “Yes, Kelpy. I think it is,” said Hedgie. “I think I am afraid of forests. Yes,” said Chester. “Me too,” said Hedgie.


[Did you notice the flock of blackbirds above the forest in the previous napkin? KD~j~]

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Napkin 22

“And there are more yellow flowers up ahead, Kelpy,” said Hedgie. “I think these clues are leading to that forest of trees.” “I don’t know if I like forests. No,” said Chester hesitantly.



Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Napkin 21

“I have seen these bushes before on my walks along the beach and they only have purple flowers. Not yellow ones. No,” said Chester. “Hmmm,” said Hedgie. “My mother knew how flowers worked. Hey, look! There is another one up there!” exclaimed Hedgie excitedly.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Napkin 20

As they walked, Chester asked, “What are we looking for, Hedgie?” “Clues,” answered Hedgie. “What is a clue?” asked Chester. “A clue is something that leads you on the right path,” explained Hedgie. “Well then,” said Chester. “I think I saw a clue. Yes,” Hedgie took out his notepad and said, “What was it, Kelpy?”


Monday, November 15, 2010

Napkin 19


So Hedgie and Chester set out together in search of Hedgie’s parents and any other adventure that might come their way. While they searched for clues, they each shared their knowledge of the world. (Hedgie, of course, had a bit more to share.)


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Napkin 18

“Only my mother would know that wrapping you up in kelp would prevent you from changing into a blackbird, Kelpy,” said Hedgie. “She’s alive! And maybe my father is too! We have to find them!” “I will help you. Yes,” said Chester.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Napkin 17

“What did he look like?” asked Hedgie eagerly. “Well, I thought it was you. He looked like you – apron and everything,” answered Chester. “That was no he, Kelpy! That was my mother! Hooray! You found my mother!” exclaimed Hedgie.


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Napkin 16

“I think you are a bit confused, Kelpy,” said Hedgie. “I did not wrap you in the kelp. I unwrapped you after it was all over. “Well, I was pretty banged up. And I am awfully confused. Yes,” said Chester. “But it just seems like …”


Monday, November 8, 2010

Napkin 15

“My oh my, Kelpy! That was a rather harrowing experience for you!” said Hedgie. “I am glad I came along that day on the beach.” “And I am glad you wrapped me up in kelp. I don’t want to be a blackbird. No,” said Chester.


Thursday, November 4, 2010

Napkin 14


“Then the rats started running around like crazy! I was getting kicked and trampled! Everything went dark. The next thing I knew I was in here with you. Thank you so much for saving me.”


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Napkin 13


“Suddenly, in the midst of all the commotion, someone grabbed me and quickly wrapped me up tightly in a bundle of kelp. Then I heard a lot of squawking and flapping and rats yelling.”


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Napkin 12


“Suddenly, the leader of the black rats raised a scepter in the air. There was some chanting and a flash of bright light. Then a most amazing thing started to happen. One by one, each of my family members instantly changed into a blackbird!”


Monday, November 1, 2010

Napkin 11


Chester told Hedgie the story of what happened to him. “A band of black rats came one day and captured my whole family of sea otters, about 16 of us all together. It was scary and terrible. Then something bizarre and horrible happened.”


Napkin 10

Hedgie made up a name for the little sea otter while he was taking care of him. He called him “Kelpy” because he found him all tangled up in kelp. But when the little sea otter was strong enough, he told Hedgie that his name was Chester.


[my daughter has a little stuffed otter that she named Kelpy. KD ~j~]

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Napkin 09


The young otter was barely alive. Hedgie brought the otter into a nearby cave. It took Hedgie many days of constant care to revive him. His mother had taught him about all kinds of good natural medicines.


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Napkin 08


One day, as Hedgie was walking on the beach, he heard a soft whimpering. He walked closer and discovered a small sea otter all tangled up in kelp.


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Napkin 07


For days, Hedgie wandered, searching for his parents and answers to why this happened.


Monday, October 25, 2010

Napkin 06


Sadly, one day, tragedy struck Hedgie’s world. He came home from gathering berries to find his home burned down and his parents missing.


Sunday, October 24, 2010

Napkin 05


Hedginald grew strong and kind and resourceful and generous. Everyone loved him and he loved them back. His father called him Hedgie and his mother called him Hedginald.


Friday, October 22, 2010

Napkins 03 & 04


Professor Quincy Phitch was an inventor and scientist. Pearl Phitch ran the Phitch household. She knew everything about cooking and hospitality.




Thursday, October 21, 2010

Napkin 02


One happy day, Quincy and Pearl Phitch had a baby. They named him Hedginald Q. Phitch. Hedginald was quite extraordinary in every way.


Wednesday, October 20, 2010