The Sentinel of Stippling River

Rosemary, the Cottontail Rabbit

“Pip, slow down!” Mia calls.

Pip, the deer mouse, shouts to her friend flying overhead, “I want to hurry before the best ones are gone!”

“The Cattails will still be there, Pip.. Slow down,” Mia, the blue jay, urges Pip.

“Rosemary needs the cattails to weave a new rug,” Pip reminds Mia. “I want to get the best cattails in the woods,. They grow thicker upriver.”

“Upriver?” Mia tilts her head. “That’s not the safest place.”

“I know, but you are with me,” Pip grins.

Gabriel, the Blue Heron

Upriver, searching through the reeds, Pip stops, “Mia! Look up there!”

Mia follows her gaze, “Oh, that’s Gabriel.”

“Gabriel?” Pip asks.

“The great blue heron,” Mia replies. “He is like a guardian of the river. He watches everything, but doesn’t talk much.”

Pip moves closer and calls softly, “Um… excuse me?”

Gabriel turns his head, “Who are you?”

“I’m Pip, and this is Mia,” Pip steps closer.

“We are searching for cattails. A friend needs them to weave a rug,” Mia explains.

In a deep voice, Gabriel instructs them, “The cattails you seek grow farther upriver, near the willow grove.”

He nods slowly and adds, “The water is deeper and the snapping turtles dwell near the bend.”

“Snapping turtles?” Pip’s whiskers twitch.

“They are best left undisturbed,” Gabriel warns.

Mia flutters closer, “We will be careful. Do you know the safest route there?”

“I do?” Gabriel answers. “I will guide you.”

“Thank you!” Pip exclaims.

Gabriel notices the water as they walk, “Watch the water. What do you see near the reeds?”

Pip squints, “ripples.”

“It’s a school of minnows,” Gabriel shares. “And, there near the rocks?”

“Nothing,” replies Mia.

“Look closer. A snapping turtle rests quietly hidden,” Gabriel points out. “Stillness is a warning.”

Mia glances at Pip, “Watch your step.”

Here is where the snapping turtles gather.. Stay close to the river’s edge, and you will pass safely.” Gabriel guides them.

Watercolor Turtles: Box Turtle (top), Red-eared Slider (middle), Snapping Turtle (Bottom)

Pip nods and tiptoes, while Mia flies above. “I’m right here, Pip. You’re doing great.”

On the other side of the snapping turtles, Pip sighs, “Whew! Thank you, Gabriel.”

“The willow grove is straight ahead,” Gabriel points out.

Mia flies over the cattails, showing Pip the thickest and strongest of them. “There Pip. Climb that stalk.”

“These are perfect,” Pip smiles. “Rosemary, the rabbit, will love them.”

With a great collection of cattails in hand, the trio returns downriver. “Will we see you again, Gabriel?” Mia asks.

“Follow the river upstream from your cypress tree. You will always find me,” Gabriel states.

“Thank you,” Pip calls back and waves goodbye.

“Let’s take the cattails over to Rosemary now,”. Mia suggests.

“Okay. Let’s go.” Pip takes off running.

“Pip! Slow down!” Mia shouts.

Back at Rosemary’s burrow, Pip hands her the bundle of cattails, “Look what we found Rosemary.”

“Oh! These are wonderful!” Rosemary exclaims. “They will make a cozy rug.”

As the friends work together weaving the rug, Pip and Mia tell the tale of their adventure, and the sentinel of Stippling River.