2nd Napkin 48

Then an amazing thing began to happen and Hedgie felt a strange warm tingling shooting from his right shoulder down through the arm below. He winced as a new paw began to form there at the end of his arm. “This is amazing!” he cried. “I can’t believe what is happening to us!” cried Ebonius.

2nd Napkin 47

“Your mother was raised here by the yellow fairies, and I am like a big sister to her. We found her as an orphan lost in the woods,” said Yelonda. Then Yelonda noticed the three cut-off right paws and instructed Abercrombee, Ebonius and Hedgie to place their right arms on the glowing Yellow Stone. “Everyone else stand back,” said Yelonda.

2nd Napkin 46

Yelonda flitted over to Hedgie, Chester and Mezzo and invited them into the clearing. Abercrombee felt the staff tremble as Hedgie walked up to him. “Well, my my, little Hedginald. I have not seen you since you were just a wee pup,” said Yelonda. “Your mother and I are long-time friends.”

2nd Napkin 45

After Ebonius replaced the Yellow Stone in its proper resting place, the entire clearing filled with blazing and flashing yellow light, and Ebonius fell to his face on the ground. After the light diminished, Yelonda said, “Now that was a lovely sight! And it appears that a few others enjoyed it as well.”

[ Did you notice them in the background of the previous napkin?  KD ~j~ ]

2nd Napkin 44

Abercrombee nodded and said, “The Changemaster visited me and changed me into a Changeling for good. My new name is Abercrombee.” Ebonius was in awe and quite taken with this new information about his father. As they entered, Ebonius recognized the clearing and the special setting for the Yellow Stone.

2nd Napkin 43

“While our wee friend is recovering, we have some business to attend to,” said Yelonda. “Come with me and bring the Yellow Stone.” On the way to the clearing, she looked at Abercrombee and said, “May I assume that we are in the presence of a Changeling?”

2nd Napkin 42

Yelonda motioned to the other fairies and they quickly took the small cat from Ebonius and carried her away. “We don’t have any time to lose. She is fortunate that you came to her aid,” said Yelonda. Then she led Abercrombee and Ebonius back to the yellow fairy village. “Thank you for helping her,” said Ebonius as he handed the Yellow Stone to Yelonda. But Yelonda refused it and said, “You must replace the Stone yourself.”

2nd Napkin 41

Then Yelonda said something quietly to Yeldrick that made him grunt in disgust and fly away. The pressure then stopped and Ebonius was able to breathe and stand to his feet again. Then Ebonius got on his knee and bowed his head saying, “I have stolen from you and hurt you, and I vow to never do it again. I hope to make amends and have your forgiveness.”

2nd Napkin 40

Yeldrick was shocked that the fairy pressure treatment was having no affect on Abercrombee, so he ordered higher pressure. But there was still no affect on him. “I told you. I am not a rat,” said Abercrombee calmly. “Yeldrick, please, enough of this,” said Yelonda. “My son was telling the truth. He is here seeking your forgiveness and to return the Yellow Stone,” said Abercrombee. “And…(wheeze)… to see if you can…(gasp)…help this wee cat,” added Ebonius.

2nd Napkin 39

After Ebonius could catch his breath again, he coughed and gasped, “I…I’m sorry…I have (gasp)…come to ask for your forgiveness…(gasp)…and to return your Yellow Stone.” “Don’t listen to him, Yelonda! These rats are up to something. I just know it’s a trick,” barked Yeldrick. Then, to the fairies’ surprise, Abercrombee defied their powers, rose to his feet, and said calmly, “As you can see, I am no longer a rat.”

2nd Napkin 38

Suddenly, Abercrombee and Ebonius were forced down on their faces to the ground. They felt pressure as though they were being pressed flat into the earth. They couldn’t breathe. “Yeldrick, please! We are not rats. We are fairies,” said a calm insistent voice. Slowly, the pressure let up and Abercrombee and Ebonius could breathe again, but they were very weak and faint.

2nd Napkin 37

“We’re getting close,” said Ebonius. “I know,” said Abercrombee. Suddenly, they were stopped in their tracks by several bright yellow lights. A stern looking older yellow fairy hovered up right in front of them and said, gruffly, “How dare you set foot back in our neck of the woods!”

2nd Napkin 36

Meanwhile, as Hedgie, Chester and Mezzo were on their way to find Abercrombee, Hedgie suddenly stopped and said, “That’s odd. The staff just changed directions. We have to head over this way now.” “Is that another clue?” asked Chester. “Yes, Chester, I think it is” answered Hedgie.

2nd Napkin 35

So, Abercrombee and Ebonius went back to the lair to retrieve the yellow stone. “I wonder where all of the rats went,” said Ebonius. Abercrombee simply said, “I dismissed them,” and winked. With the yellow stone in hand, they made their way back toward the Yellow Fairies, from whom Ebonius had stolen both yellow scepter stones.

2nd Napkin 34

Yes, I think we can help this little friend out, but it will involve returning the yellow stone back to whom you stole it from. Can you do that?” asked Abercrombee. “Well, I’m very ashamed of how I treated them, but I also need to ask for their forgiveness, so …” Ebonius paused and looked down at the little cat cradled in his arms. “Will you help me, father?”

2nd Napkin 33

Ebonius turned around and saw Abercrombee standing there behind him. “Oh father. I am such a fool!” he wept. “I know, my son. Believe me, I know,” said Abercrombee as he helped Ebonius stand up. As they hugged, Ebonius said, “Can we do anything for this wee friend?”

2nd Napkin 32

Ebonius gently caressed the cat’s tiny head as his tears wet her fur. Then he began to feel a warming sensation in his shoulders. It was not alarming, but rather comforting, as it radiated throughout his entire being. “Ebonius, oh Ebonius, my son,” came a voice from behind him.

2nd Napkin 31

Ebonius carefully climbed down to the ledge where the little cat lie all tangled up in sage bushes. He gently released her from the tangled mess, cradled her in his arms, and made his way back up to the top of the cliff. As he sat there crying with the small cat nestled in his lap, more and more long-forgotten feelings from his past flooded his heart.

2nd Napkin 30

Ebonius stopped and turned around. Some of his old forgotten self began to revive in a hidden corner of his heart. He walked back to the edge of the canyon and looked down at the injured cat. The little cat whimpered and stopped breathing. Ebonius looked up into the sky and began to cry. “Why …why?” he sobbed.

2nd Napkin 29

Ebonius looked down and saw a bloodied and wounded small cat lying on the rocks below him all tangled up in a sage bush. In his anger he grunted and shouted, “Why don’t you just get it over with!? You’re half dead anyway!” Then he turned quickly away and stormed back toward his lair. As he walked, a long-forgotten feeling began to well up inside his heart.

2nd Napkin 28

Ebonius rushed furiously out to the canyon’s edge and let out a few gut-wrenching screams of frustration. After the deafening echoes stopped coming back to him, it became eerily silent. Slowly and gradually, the silence was interrupted by a soft whimpering below him.

2nd Napkin 27

Meanwhile, back in Ebonius’ lair …“What is wrong with this stupid stick!?!” shouted Ebonius furiously. “Why won’t it take to the stone? I need my scepter! I finally have all the pieces, now why is this not working!?” Then, in his fury and frustration, he stormed out of the lair.

2nd Napkin 26

As the three friends made their way out of the forest, Chester said, “Hedgie, should I be looking for clues?” “You should always be on the lookout for clues when you are on an adventure, Chester, but I already know where we are going because the staff is calling me,” said Hedgie.

2nd Napkin 25

Hedgie was not exactly sure what direction Abercrombee headed, but he knew he was going after Ebonius. “I can tell that you are getting ready to go on an adventure. Yes,” said Chester. “So, I am coming with you.” “Me too,” said Mezzo. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, my friends. Let’s get ready and go,” said Hedgie.

2nd Napkin 24

The next day, the animals were shocked to find Abercrombee missing. “That’s odd. How could he have slipped out past our guard,” said Bandy. “And there are no tracks or any trace at all of how he left, or what direction he went,” said Chipper. “I think I know,” said Hedgie.

2nd Napkin 23

Chipper helped to calm Mezzo down. And for the next few days, much healing occurred and things started to get back to normal in the clearing. Abercrombee explained that Ebonius was correct. He and Soot cut off his paw to steal the scepter away from him many years ago.

2nd Napkin 22

The clearing was buzzing with activity as the scouts returned with the wounded squirrels and began to work on them and finish getting Hedgie bandaged up. Mezzo was furious and it was all Bandy could do to prevent her from chasing out after Ebonius.

2nd Napkin 21

“Well, I got what I came for, so I must now bid you all the fondest of farewells,” said Ebonius. And with that, Ebonius and the black jacket rats vanished into the forest. “Quickly, everyone! We must stop that bleeding!” cried Bandy. “Chipper, get your scouts and go check on the sentinels.”

[ The gray marker was running out of juice. KD ~j~ ]

2nd Napkin 20

“Ebonius, please, I’m begging you, don’t do this! I am so so sorry for what I’ve done to you,” cried Abercrombee. “Well, I suppose that you will also be sorry for what is about to happen to your prickly friend. You are responsible for what happens today because of your decision many years ago,” said Ebonius. Then Ebonius raised his sword and sliced off Hedgie’s right paw to get the staff away from him. “No!” cried Abercrombee.

2nd Napkin 19

“If this belongs to you, Ebonius, here, take it. I thought it belonged to Abernas …I mean, Abercrombee,” said Hedgie. As Hedgie walked toward Ebonius and handed the staff to him, it began to quiver rapidly and it tingled in his paw. “Give it to me, you impudent possum!” ordered Ebonius. Then Ebonius snatched the staff, but to his surprise, Hedgie came with it.

2nd Napkin 18

“This is exactly what happened to me many years ago, isn’t it, father,” said Ebonius. “Ebonius, please …I am so very sorry …please don’t do this,” pleaded Abercrombee. “It was my magic scepter and you and that vile brother of mine stole it from me! And I have to live with the mark that proves it!”

2nd Napkin 17

Suddenly, the staff magically leapt up off the floor into Hedgie’s right paw. “Well, this looks all too familiar, wouldn’t you say, father?” said the rat. “Ebonius, please!” cried Abercrombee. “I don’t know what is happening here!” cried Hedgie. “Well I do!” shouted Ebonius.

2nd Napkin 16

“Please Ebonius, this is between you and me …” pleaded Abercrombee. “Not anymore old rat. You brought them into this and now they are going to suffer like me!” said the rat. “Your sentinels have already felt my sting.” “No! You didn’t!” exclaimed Hedgie. “Yes, I did,” said the rat. “And you must be the impertinent pincushion who pilfered my staff.”

2nd Napkin 15

Everyone suddenly turned around and saw a large black jacket rat with a few others standing around him. “Ebonius, please, don’t hurt my friends …” pleaded Abercrombee. “Friends?! Friends?! You never had a friend in your life, you mean old sewer rat!” sneered the large rat.

2nd Napkin 14

“He told me he was the Changemaster and that some things can’t change and others can. He said I could not change my cruel past, but that now I could be a Changeling for good,” Abernasty continued. “He gave me a new name, Abercrombee, and then I felt like I had a second chance. So then I went in search for the person whom I felt I had most wronged …” “And that would be me,” said a voice from behind.

[ If you look back on 2nd Napkin 6, you will see some shadowy figures in the trees following Hedgie and Mezzo. KD ~j~ ]

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.