Following Spirit

Chapter Eight

Chips and Charley were on the top of Roly-Poly Hill trying to fly their kites. There wasn't much of a wind, so they were unable to get the kites to stay in the air. After trying for an hour, they gave up and decided to spend the rest of the morning sitting in the sunshine.

As they were relaxing, a butterfly flew by them. It was orange with light brown spots. Chips and Charley enjoyed watching her fly around the bushes and flowers.

"What's your name?" asked Chips.

"Spirit," answered the butterfly. "Why don't you two follow me? I can show you some beautiful things."

Chips looked at Charley and Charley smiled.

"Why not?" Charley asked. "It might be fun."

So Chips and Charley began to follow Spirit as she flew down the side of Roly-Poly hill. Spirit began to sing. She sang a song about a far-away forest. In the middle of this forest wa a stream from which the animals loved to drink. At the end of the stream was a bubbling fountain. The fountain was in a shady, misty grove and the water was cool and clean. It was very peaceful there, and all the animals were happy.

Chips and Charley enjoyed imagining the far-away forest so much that they stopped paying attention to where they were going. Soon they were in a part of the Blackberry Forest they they had never been in before. It was very beautiful. The leaves of the trees were many shades of green and occasional there were patches where the forest opened up and there were fields of wildflowers. . All the colors there were! Purple, yellow, red, pink, and orange flowers sparkled in the sunshine. They smelled wonderfully sweet and fresh.

Spirit finally stopped flying and settled on a purple wildflower. Chips and Charley welcomed the chance to lie down in the soft clover.

"It's wonderful here," said Chips. "We must come back here again."

"Oh yes," sighed Charley. "I have never seen such pretty flowers. Is this where you live, Spirit?"

There was no answer. Spirit had flown high into the sky. Soon she was out of sight.

"Where did she go?" asked Chips.

"I don't know," answered Charley.

"I am sure she just went away for a few minutes," said Chips. "I doubt she would just leave us here."

Chips and Charley waited for her to return. It was already well into the afternoon, and they were both feeling sleepy. They sat and watched the fluffy white clouds pass over their heads. They found clouds that were shaped like frogs, boats, and dragons.

It was getting to be late afternoon and Spirit still had not returned. Chips and Charley were beginning to get worried.

Chips said, "I don't think Spirit is coming back. Do you think we can find the way back home by ourselves?"

"I was not paying attention to where we were going," Charley replied. "It's going to get dark soon. Oh, I wish Spirit would come back. Why did she leave us?"

"How could we be so stupid? We should have though more about what we were doing following her out here."

The sky was getting dark quickly because a storm was approaching.

"We better find some shelter," said Chips.

They hopped over to a big leafy bush.

"Let's stay here," said Charley. "The bush should help protect us from the rain."

The rain began to come down hard, and it was getting even darker. Chips and Charley were able to stay reasonably dry under the leaves of the bush, but they were not happy. They wished they could be back in their homes.

The storm became very fierce. There were many lightening flashes and the thunder was very loud. When the lightening flashed, Chips and Charley saw strange shadows in the forest area near them.

Chips was shivering.

"I'm frightened," he cried.

"Me too," replied Charley.

"What is that over there? It looks like someone is watching us."

"That is just a stump, Chips."

"How about that other dark thing behind it? It looks like a monster."

"Now listen, Chips. We will get more and more frightened if we think scary thoughts. Let's talk about something that is more pleasant."

"Like what?"

"Let's talk about some of the things we have done together. Remember helping Grumpy Gopher planting his garden?"

Chips laughed, "Yes, I remember. Every time he bent over, we hopped over him. He could not have figure out how we kept moving around him."

"Then he became angry when you hopped over his head and knocked off his hat."

"He sure did."

"Do you remember when the wind was so strong that it blew me away?"

"Yes," answered Chips. "You looked so surprised when you did not come down."

"Well, you should have seen the look on your face when the robin brought me back."

Chips and Charley went on and on talking about their past adventures. It helped them to stop thinking scary thoughts. After some time, they relaxed and fell asleep.

They slept throughout the whole night. The glowing orange sunrise woke them from their slumber. The forest was once again peaceful and friendly. When Chips and Charley crawled out from the bush, they saw Spirit flying in the flowers.

"Where did you go?" asked Chips. "We depended on you to get us back home. Instead you left us alone. We had to spend the night here."

"Sorry," said Spirit. "I was having so much fun flying, I forgot you were following me."

"Could you show us the way home?" asked Charley.

"I really don't know. I don't pay attention to where I am or where I am going. I just look for beautiful things and enjoy myself."

Chips asked, "How are we going to find our way back home? You are very irresponsible, Spirit."

"I didn't mean to cause you two any trouble. Maybe these animals can help you find your way home."

Spirit flew toward three deer who were standing in the opening. They were so tall and still, Chips and Charley gasped to see them there."

Spirit asked the deer, "Will you help the rabbit and the grasshopper find their way back home?"

The largest deer asked Chips and Charley where they lived.

Chips softy said, "We live near Roly-Poly Hill.

The deer looked at each other and the largest one said, "Yes, we will show you the way back to your home. Follow us."

The three deer began to walk in the direction of the sunrise. Chips and Charely started hopping behind them.

"Good-bye, Spirit," they called.

"Good-bye, and once again, I am sorry. I do hope to see you again."

Chips and Charley followed the deer until they reached a trail.

The largest deer said, "We will turn back now. Follow this trail, and you will reach Roly-Poly Hill soon."

"Thank you," Chips and Charley said together.

The deep nodded his head, and he and his family started back in the other direction.

"They were the most beautiful animals I have ever seen," whispered Chips.

"Yes, this whole part of the forest was wonderful. I would like to return someday," Charley responded.

"Yes, me too. But next time we mark our way."

Chips and Charley hopped back home. Chip's mom was happy to see them, but she was angry too. She scolded them both, and when they both seemed sorry enough, she made them hot chocolate and gave them lots of hugs. They were happy. Their adventure was special, but it was great to be back home.