2nd Napkin 13

Over the next few days, as Abernasty was recovering, he told his new friends what happened to him after Soot died, “I wandered and wandered in utter despair, thinking about my horrible, cruel life and the pain and misery that I had brought into the world. I was crushed and hopeless … and then, … I heard his voice.”

2nd Napkin 12

“Ebony … no … Ebonius, my son … no …” Abernasty continued. Hedgie noticed that the staff began to quiver and then it fell over on the ground. “What was that all about, Hedgie?” asked Chester. “Well, I think we’re going to find out that Soot had a brother,” said Hedgie.

2nd Napkin 11

Finally, after many days of gentle care and Hedgie’s natural healing methods, Abernasty began to show signs of life again. One morning, Hedgie was sleeping at his bedside and was awakened when he started to speak. “Eh … eh … ebony …” said Abernasty.

2nd Napkin 10

Hedgie labored tirelessly making ointments for the wound and sealing up the end of Abernasty’s arm. All the while, he kept wondering who would have done such a horrible thing because it was so obviously a sword wound and not an accidental severing.

Shakespeare

My daughter ran across this and we thought it would be appropriate to share as a weekend entry. A hedgehog showed up in Shakespeare's A Midsummer-Night's Dream, Act II Scene II Another Part of the Wood.


The Fairies sing.

You spotted snakes with double tongue,

Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;

Newts, and blind-worms, do no wrong;

Come not near our fairy queen.

Sing in our sweet lullaby;

Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby:

Never harm,

Nor spell, nor charm,

Come our lovely lady nigh;

So, good night, with lullaby.

Weaving spiders come not here;

Hence, you long-legg’d spinners, hence!

Beetles black, approach not near;

Worm nor snail, do no offense.

[ Woodland fairies play an important role in this second napkin story. KD ~j~ ]

2nd Napkin 9

“I need to get to work right away! I am afraid it might be too late!” said Hedgie. So Hedgie began to give everyone a task. They gathered supplies, re-bandaged wounds, and helped Hedgie take care of the difficult task of trying to repair Abernasty’s forearm.

2nd Napkin 8

“It is good to see you again, Hedgie,” said Bandy. “Welcome back to this side of the forest. Unfortunately, we have quite a dilemma on our paws.”

2nd Napkin 7

When Hedgie and Mezzo arrived at the other side of the forest, someone was there who was very eager to greet his dear friend. “Oh, Hedgie, it is so very great to see you again. Yes,” said Chester.

[ Happy Read Across America Day!  KD~j~ ]

http://www.nea.org/readacross

2nd Napkin 6

“Oh, my!” said Hedgie. “That’s just awful!” “Yes, and the real concern back in the forest is about who would do such a horrible thing,” said Mezzo. “Yes, I agree. We are going to have to be on the alert,” said Hedgie. Suddenly, the staff began to quiver slightly in Hedgie’s paw.

2nd Napkin 5

“Tell me how you found Abernasty while we travel, Mezzo,” said Hedgie. “Well, amazingly, we discovered him in just about the same spot where we last saw him by the river where he buried Soot. He was badly beaten and … well … his right paw is cut off.”

2nd Napkin 4

So, Hedgie packed up some things that he thought he might need, and the two friends started off for the other side of the forest. “I’m in the mood for a good adventure,” said Hedgie. “We’ll see,” said Mezzo.

2nd Napkin 3

Suddenly, Mezzo’s report was interrupted when the staff that Hedgie had brought out that morning began to rattle and glow slightly. “Well, that’s a pretty sure sign that something is going on here,” said Hedgie. “We’d better go check it out.”

2nd Napkin 2

“Abernasty was discovered in the forest severely injured and near death,” Mezzo continued. “Chester reminded us about how good you are with the healing methods, so I came to get you.”

2nd Napkin 1

“Well, hello there Mezzo!” said Hedgie. “What a pleasant surprise! Please come in and join us for breakfast.” “Thank you,” said Mezzo. “But I can only stay briefly. I have some urgent news.”

Introduction to Adventure Number Two

Hedgie's second adventure begins about a year after the first one ended. If you look back at Napkin 79, you will see Mezzo in the window outside where the Phitch family is enjoying their breakfast biscuits. Hedgie kept Abernasty's scepter after trying to prevent Soot from plunging to the bottom of the cliff, and they wonder what ever happened after those fateful events. Quincy says he does love a good story and Hedgie is about to embark on adventure that centers around a mysterious yellow stone.

Thanks for reading.

KD

~j~

Mezzo Drawing

Occasionally, I would do a drawing on the napkin wherein a part of the drawing was hidden under a fold so my daughter would not see what it was until she opened it up at her lunch period. She saved this one. This is what it looked like folded up:

And this is what it looked like unfolded:

Book Seven

We have a couple of days before the next story, so here is another napkin that my daughter saved. It was given to her in honor of finishing Book Seven in the Harry Potter series. KD~j~

Abercrombee & Phitch

As you may have already surmised, this story marks the beginning of a lifelong friendship and collaborative partnership between Abernasty and Hedgie, a kind-hearted team that became better known in the forest as Abercrombee and Phitch. They shared many more adventures together, the second of which will start next week.


Thanks for reading.

KD
~j~

Napkin 79

It took about a year or so for the Phitch family to build a new home and get their life all back on track. Quincy was back in his workshop, Pearl was planting in the garden and warming up the home, and Hedgie was dreaming of more adventures. One morning, Hedgie came into the kitchen carrying the old scepter staff. “Would you care for a biscuit?” asked Pearl. “Thank you,” said Hedgie. “Remember this?” he asked, holding up the scepter. “I wonder what ever happened to old Abernasty.” “Well,” said Quincy “I sure would like to know. I do love a good story.”

Napkin 78

Abernasty just wandered sadly for days weeping and moaning and mourning the loss of his son and thinking about his entire miserable wretched life. He didn’t eat or sleep and finally collapsed at the riverside. “I just want my son back … I just want my life back … I just want to change it all!” he cried. “Some things can change and some things cannot,” said a gentle firm voice. Abernasty looked up slowly and saw an image in the water. “I am the Changemaster. From now on you shall be a Changeling for good, and you shall now be called Abercrombee.”

Napkin 77

“Soot, Soot, oh my son … I am so sorry for the evil that I brought upon your life,” Abernasty wept as he buried him there on the canyon floor. Then he gathered as many of the sharp shards of the scepter stone, cutting his paws on each as he picked them up, and dropped them in the grave. It was a joyous Phitch family reunion when Quincy and Hedgie arrived back to the forest with Pearl. The hummingbirds and sea otters were restored and there was gladness throughout the forest.

Napkin 76

After Quincy and Hedgie and the other friends finished greeting each other, they noticed Abernasty halfway down the cliff after his son. “Should we help him?” asked Hedgie. “No. This kind of task is best done privately,” answered Quincy. “Is that you, Blarney?” Chester asked the blackbird. “I knew you would still recognize me, little buddy. But my name is Blotter now. I met the real Changemaster and he said it was Ok for me to stay a blackbird since I have always wanted to fly.”

Napkin 75

Hedgie found that is was much easier rolling down a cliff than climbing back up. He was making slow progress with difficulty when something suddenly started pushing him from behind. “Just keep going. I got your back.” Chester and Mezzo had joined Quincy at the clearing and they were all surprised to see Hedgie come up over the edge of the cliff being pushed by a blackbird.

Napkin 74

A somber hush fell over the crowd at the top of the cliff as they watched Soot plunge to his death at the bottom of the canyon below. Hedgie was crushed over his inability to save him as he wept quietly on his paws and knees. In the clearing, one of the black jacket rats said, “Come on boys. Let’s bust outta here. There’s nothing left for us here.” And they all walked into the forest leaving Abernasty on his knees weeping with Quincy next to him.

Napkin 73

“Soot, please, stop pulling! You’re going to fall!” cried Hedgie. “You just want the scepter, but at last, it is mine! I will be the greatest Changeling of all!” cried Soot. “Now get away from me you pathetic pincushion!” “No! Soot! No!” cried Hedgie. “Give it to me! I said, ‘Give it to me!’” demanded Soot as he pulled against Hedgie. Then suddenly with a loud crack and a bright burst of light, the scepter stone snapped off the end of the staff and Soot was released off the edge of the cliff, clutching the stone in his paw.

Napkin 72

Meanwhile, Chester and Mezzo woke up and saw that Hedgie was gone. It didn’t take them long to discover the clearing and all the commotion at the edge of the cliff, so they found a place to hide where they could see what was going on down there. Soot wavered off-balance precariously at the edge of a long steep drop-off. The only thing preventing his fall was Hedgie at the other end of the scepter with his little hedgehog feet dug firmly in the dirt.

Napkin 71

Hedgie glanced quickly at his father and then, to everyone’s surprise, ran to the edge of the cliff, leapt out into the air, formed himself into a ball, and began to roll quickly down after Soot. Hedgie caught up with Soot just before the long drop to the bottom of the canyon. Then he dug his feet in, grabbed the scepter and said, “Hold on, Soot!”

Napkin 70

Finally, Soot over-powered his father and wrenched the scepter from his grip. “Now who’s the leader of the rats?!” he shouted victoriously. “Son, please, don’t …” pleaded Abernasty. But before he could finish speaking, Soot took a full swing with the scepter right to Abernasty’s head and knocked him down. Then Soot raised his arms in triumph and sounded an evil laugh. All the black jacket rats continued to jump and cheer. As Soot soaked in all the glory, he stepped back accidentally, lost his balance and started careening down the steep high cliff.

[The squiggly vertical lines are from the writing of the marker on the other side of the napkin. Sorry. KD ~j~]

Napkin 69

As morning dawned, the argument between Abernasty and Soot became increasingly heated. “The power of the Changeling is wasted on you, old rat!” yelled Soot. “You just don’t have what it takes to be truly great.” “You insolent brat rat!” yelled Abernasty. “How dare you speak to me that way?!” “I’ll show you what I dare to do!” yelled Soot as he charged at his father and grabbed the scepter. All the black jacket rats cheered and jumped up and down wildly as they watched the two fight over the scepter.

Napkin 68

Suddenly, Hedgie felt a sharp point in his back as one of the guard rats pushed him into the clearing. “Hey, looky here what I found,” said the rat. “The pudgy porcupine musta shrunk in the river.” “Well, that’s the only way she could have gotten out of my chains,” said Soot. “That’s not her, you arrogant fool!” said Abernasty. “That’s my son,” said Quincy proudly. “And if you lay a hand on him, I’ll … “ “You’ll what … you old fool!” interrupted Soot.

Napkin 67

From his hiding place in the bushes Hedgie could see Abernasty and Soot in a bitter argument. “You imbecile! You nearly had us all killed!” shouted Abernasty. “Some getaway that turned out to be!” “How was I supposed to know about that waterfall!?” protested Soot. “And look at you – the mighty Changeling! Can’t even change a few hummingbirds! Ha!” Abernasty was furious at Soot’s disrespect of him.

Napkin 66

As Hedgie and Chester followed the tracks into the forest, Mezzo flew back onto Hedgie’s shoulder and reported, “Looks like a few of the rats didn’t jump ship in time and took the long ride down the falls. No casualties, but a few limped away.” That night, as the three were sleeping, Hedgie awoke at the sound of shouting off in the distance and walked toward it. As he got closer, he silently crept to the edge of a clearing.

Napkin 65

At the bottom of the waterfall they could see the wreckage of the rat’s ship. “Soot didn’t plan on waterfalls. No,” said Chester. “I’ll fly down there and survey the situation. You two look for clues up here,” said Mezzo. It didn’t take Hedgie long to find evidence that the rats jumped ship before going over the falls. “Look Chester. Look at all these tracks,” said Hedgie.

Napkin 64

“It looks like we need to cross the river, but there is no way to cross it,” said Hedgie. “I can help you over,” offered Chester. “And I think I am well enough to fly that short distance,” said Mezzo. After crossing over and continuing east along the river, they could not help but notice how much faster the river was flowing. As the rapids roared, they soon found themselves at the top of a huge waterfall.

Napkin 63

The next day, everything was ready for Hedgie, Chester and Mezzo to set off on their journey to rescue Quincy. “Good-bye,” said Hedgie. “Thank you for helping my family, Mrs. Phitch,” said Chester. “Good-bye friends,” said Mezzo. The three followed the river for quite a distance. Mezzo traveled on Hedgie’s shoulder because she was not strong enough to dart around yet. The river veered sharply east at a rocky outcrop and began to flow very rapidly toward the ocean.

Napkin 62

As things settled down that evening, plans were discussed about going to rescue Quincy from Abernasty’s evil clutches. “I need to come with you Hedgie,” urged Chester.” “And I as well,” insisted Mezzo, sitting up from her bed. Pearl added that she needed to stay behind and work on changing the sea otters back. And Bandy’s group would work on getting the forest back in order.

Napkin 61

The animals started to cheer as, one-by-one, each of the hummingbirds got their beautiful iridescent colors back and began to fly above them. Pearl also was able to help Mezzo heal and she shed tears of joy at the sight of her friends flying above her. In the midst of this joyous scene, Hedgie looked at his mother seriously and said, “I have to go help father.” Pearl smiled knowingly and gave him a hug saying, “Yes … you do.”

Napkin 60

Mezzo opened her eyes and winced in pain. “Don’t worry about me. I’m Ok. Just please get my friends …” Chipper comforted her as she slipped back into unconsciousness. “We must get busy!” said Pearl. Pearl worked like a dervish giving everyone a task to perform to help her prepare the cure that would reverse the initial affect of the dark change that was cast upon the hummingbirds.

Napkin 59

Then Bandy took just a brief moment to explain to their new friends that Bandit was mute as a result of a previous battle with the black jacket rats. Chester and Pearl gave Bandit a little hug and thanked him again. “Mother, I’m afraid we have a lot of work to do on those little hummingbirds to undo the dark change that Abernasty started on them,” said Hedgie. “And Mezzo took quite a beating, too.”

Photo-Op Chester

[Remember when Hedgie first met Chester? He called him "Kelpy" while he was caring for him because he found him all wrapped up in kelp on the beach.  KD~j~]

Napkin 58

The other animals joined them at the cliff’s edge. “Oh, my dear Hedginald. I am so happy to be holding you,” said Pearl. “I was so worried about you. It looks like you have made some wonderful new friends, though.” She gave Chester and Bandit a thankful hug. Chester looked at Bandit and said, “Thank you for helping me to get her out from that river.” Bandit smiled, but did not reply. Chester seemed puzzled.

Napkin 57

Pearl was so proud and happy when she made it back up to the top of the hill and saw her son gently moving the hummingbirds to a bed of soft fresh moss. “Oh, mother!” said Hedgie as he hugged her tightly. Their tears of joy said more than words about how thankful they were to be together again at last. But a little sadness also mingled with their tears when they both looked down the river and saw Quincy being taken away by the rats.

[I got so wordy on the other side of this napkin that I had to open it up and make the drawing on the inside. KD~j~]

Napkin 56

“Well, it looks like my kelp wrap worked on you, little buddy,” smiled Pearl. Chester gave her a big hug. “Yes,” he said. “Now we have to go help those poor hummingbirds,” said Pearl. As they made their way up the cliff, one of the blackbirds brought the keys to get the chain off of Pearl’s neck. “Thank you, little fella. I’ll see what I can do about you too,” said Pearl.

Napkin 55

Bandit dove into the river to help save Pearl. Chester was trying with all his might until he started to lose consciousness, when suddenly, the water surrounding them began to stir and shimmer and sparkle. Bubbles formed all around them and gently lifted them up to the surface where Bandy and Bandit helped them ashore. “What happened!?!” asked Chester. “Water fairies,” answered Pearl.

Napkin 54

“Great catch, Chipper!” said Bandy running over to them. “Now, have your scouts take Mezzo and the keys up to Hedgie so he can start helping those poor hummingbirds.” Then she went to join Bandit at the river’s edge. Down at the bottom of the river, Chester was struggling against the weight chained around Pearl’s neck, and the river’s current.

Napkin 53

Just as Mezzo got the keys from Soot, one of the black jacket rats grabbed an oar, swung it wildly and batted her violently toward the rocky riverbank. Chipper, one of the chipmunk scouts, saw all of this happen and leapt from his tree to break her impact. “Gotcha!” “Ow!” “Ow!” they both said as they slammed against the rocks.

Napkin 52

“Don’t worry, Hedgie! I’ll get her!” cried Chester as he scurried down the cliff and dove into the river after Pearl. Bandy, Bandit and the others were not far behind. On the boat, Soot was waving his arms wildly and yelling, “Get this blasted blue bumble bee away from me!” But Mezzo still managed to snatch the keys from his grip.

Napkin 51

“What about these two?” asked Soot. Abernasty glared at Quincy and Pearl and said, “We need to keep Phitch for now, but you can toss that meddling chubby chipmunk overboard. So Soot sauntered over in his usual air of contempt and shoved Quincy aside to the floor. “Looks like you are going to be the only drowned rat around here,” said Soot as he grabbed Pearl and threw her into the river.

Napkin 50

Soot’s escape contraption slid all the way down the cliff and landed in the river with a great splash. After all the dirt was rinsed off in the water, they could see that it was a large boat. “You all will regret this day when I come back and change all of you into black beetle bugs!” threatened Abernasty waving his scepter in the air.

Napkin 49

As Chester watched what was going on all around him, he was startled by the sound of squawking and flapping and then heard a loud thud behind him. “Ow!” said Hedgie when he hit the ground. It was Hedgie’s idea to confuse the gullible rats by disguising himself as the Changemaster, with the help of the blackbirds, of course. “Are you alright?” asked Chester. “Yes, but my father and mother are down there with those blasted rats!” cried Hedgie.

[Happy New Year!! Welcome back to school! KD~j~]