The Discovery

Chapter Seventeen

Early the next morning, the five friends got together to discuss their plans. They wanted to visit the Gubazah Monster, but they were afraid he would not talk with them. Charley said he might be more agreeable if they brought him some berries for breakfast. They decided to go to the blackberry patch near Silver Stream to pick the berries.

The blackberries with big and delicious. They ended end eating as many as they picked. Their hands and faces were all covered with dark stains, and they laughed at how funny each one looked.

"We better wash ourselves in the stream, or the Gubazah Monster will think he is being visited ty the Blackberry Monsters," joked Rocky.

After washing themselves in the stream, they headed for the cage. The Gubazah Monster was curled up in the back of the cage. He was not asleep though, for as soon as he saw them, he told them to go away and leave him alone.

"We will go if you want us to, but first we would like to ask you a very important question," said Chips.

"I don't want to answer your silly questions," the monster snarled.

"We thought you might know something about the fountain where all the animals are happy and at peace," Chips continued.

The Gubazah Monster raised his head but said nothing.

"The deer family..."

"What deer family?" the Gubazah Monster interrupted.

"The ones that live in that direction," Chips said pointing. "We call it the beautiful part of the forest."

"What about them?"

"When we asked them how we could learn about the fountain, they pointed at your footprints in the ground. Now we have no idea what they meant by that. We though maybe we should try to help you or talk with you to help us solve the mystery."

The Gubazah Monster looked at Chips for a long time. Finally he asked, "Did the deer family say anything else about me?"

Charley answered, "Not really. They were sorry to hear about how alone and sad you seem to be."

The Gubazah Monster was silent for some time, then he said, "I used to be a deer. When I lived in the land of the fountain. But now look at me."

"You were once a deer?" Charley gasped.

"Yes. I used to live there. The deer family often visited me. There were many other animals at the fountain, and I should have been happy there, but I started to think I belonged somewhere else and that I was better than the rest of the animals. Slowly my appearance began to change, and my heart began to change. When I saw how ugly I was becoming, I left the fountain. I never dared to return. I cannot help you find the fountain if that is what you want. I can never return."

The animals were silent. The Gubazah Monster lowered his head and moaned.

"But if the deer family pointed to your footprint, may they meant you could return. Maybe there is a way," Charley suggested.

"I doubt that very much," the Gubazah Monster sighed. "It's no longer my home. Now my home is nowhere"

"Well, if you became a monster when your thoughts and heart changed, maybe you can become a deer again if your heart and thoughts change again."

"You are a smart little bug," the Gubazah Monster laughed. "but it's not that easy."

"Maybe we were meant to help you," Chips said.

"I don't know. Leave me alone for now and give me time to think. Come back tomorrow morning."

The offered the Gubazah Monster the blackberries, and then left him alone. Their heads were all spinning with thoughts of their new discovery and the mystery left to be solved.