Stories

Chapter Eighteen

The animals had assigned Cindy, the beaver, to feed and watch over the Gubazah Monster. After a few days, she quit her job.

"I cannot stand it any longer," she yelled. "He is a miserable monster. He doesn't talk. He won't look at me. He just grunts to let me know he is finished eating. Have someone else put up with this everyday."

Nobody else would volunteer for the job until Charley hopped by and heard the talk.

"What is going on here?" he asked.

"Nobody is willing to take care of the Gubazah Monster," Cindy said.

"I will do it," Charley volunteered.

The other animals thought that Charley was crazy, but they gladly gave him the job.

Charley found Chips and the others and explained what he had volunteered to do.

"I guess that is good," said Chips. "He hasn't wanted to talk to us since he told us his story a few days ago. Maybe he will start talking if we bring him food everyday."

The five friends went to the Gubazah Monster's cage and told him they would be talking care of him from now on. The Gubazah Monster just grunted and then turned his back on them.

To pass their time, the friends played freeze tag, hide and seek, and monkey-in-the-middle. When they sat in the shade to rest, the Gubazah Monster finally turned to them.

"I am dreadfully bored. Please tell me some stories."

"What type of stories?" asked William.

"About your lives, the adventures you had, anything."

They began to talk about their lives. William told him about his school and the things he was learning there. Rocky and Rhonda told them about the many places they had explored. Chips and Charley told them about the time they were lost in the beautiful part of the forest. They talked about the ice storm, the eclipse, the comet, and their funny moon dreams.

As he listed to their stories the monster began to soften. He face looked almost pleasant. A very tiny smile could be seen.

It was getting late. Chips brought Gubazah's supper to his cage.

"We need to be getting home now, but we will be back tomorrow to give you some breakfast."

The Gubazah Monster shook his head and said, "I think I know the solution to your mystery. I will tell you about it tomorrow!"