The otter had no choice.
He was held down by a traitor
He ratted and crowed
on his girlfriend, but only
after she sang like a canary,
all of it, lies, lies, lies.
The leader had lizard eyes,
cold, with only one thing in mind.
How to get to the meat of the matter
Where was that prize?
The otter had squirreled
the treasure away
but that would not stop the others
from looking for it.
The mole sniffed around and
wormed his way into the den
of vampire bats, who
were ready to taste the blood
of the little white rabbit.
The mole watched, still unseen,
as the rabbit began to scream
"I am tired of this cat and mouse game!"
The wolf who'd chased the rabbit
into the cave finally grew bored
and went away.
The mole saw this and ran out of the cave,
followed by the rabbit, it was his lucky day.
But back to the hunt, where was the otter?
Did he really have the treasure?
"It's raining frogs!" the beaver
told the prairie dog.
"Yes that is queer,
but it's better than the fish
that came down last year."
Beaver responded
"I guess it will bring the vultures again,
you should probably go back to your den.
I'm headed back to my creeks damm.
Prairie Dog looked at the horizon.
"Yes, you're right Beaver; we'll search another day,
once the eagles have chased away
those disgusting vultures, eating
on those sad, dead frogs' decay."
As prairie dog looked back down
he saw he was talking to himself.
Beaver had already scampered away.
Prairie dog jumped straight up in the air.
A voice behind him gave him a scare!
"Oh my, oh my! What are you doing here?"
We've been looking for you everywhere!"
"I came to visit you, my dear little friend!"
"Please tell me what you've been up to."
"Oh, Otter, we've been looking for you!
Beaver just left, he misses you too.
Is it true? Have you found the treasure?"
Otter and prairie dog went a long way back,
ever since Otter saved Prairie dog
from a deadly snake attack.
Otter acted quickly, he called
for Mongoose to hurry their way.
Mongoose fought tooth and nail
finally grabbing the snake by the tail.
In the end, Mongoose saved the day.
"Thanks for the dinner, Otter!
I've searched for something to eat for awhile."
Prairie Dog realized Otter's gift.
Otter's efforts to save him also helped another.
Over time, he'd seen him do this again and again.
Prairie dog loved him more and more ever since.
Prairie dog latched onto Otter's hind quarter.
"Please hug me Otter, or pinch me at least!"
Otter smiled down at little prairie dog.
He bent down and hoisted him onto his shoulder.
The frogs had ceased to fall.
But water was what was needed the most.
Staring at the lowering sun,
they were joined together.
"Prairie Dog?" Otter softly whispered,
to his little best friend,
perched next to his head.
"Yes, Otter? I'm here."
He moved closer up Otter's shoulder
until he was nestled on Otter head , between hia ears.
The vantage point from this post
was one that Prairie Dog love the most.
No words were spoken as they watched
the sun slip into the horizon.
"I will stay with you tonight, Prairie Dog,
tomorrow I must go. But I will not
worry about you,
I'll tell you everything
you'll need to know."
"For now you must get your rest.
Go on now, and settle into your den."
Prairie dog protested, "But Otter,
I want to know! What is going on?
Can you tell me, did you find the treasure?
What is the treasure, anyway,
no one seems to know..."
"In due time, friend, I will tell you it all.
But now you must sleep and dream good dreams.
I'll be right here, on top of your mound."
Prairie dog agreed, Otter knew what was best.
Soon, he was snoring in his underground nest.
As Otter stretched out on top of the mound,
a soft breeze soothed him, as he settled down.
His mind was in a light, drowsy place.
He knew for now, at least, he was safe.
As He looked up, gazing out at the stars,
he waited for the golden Orb to appear.
Otter closed his eyes and began to silently speak.
"Please come to me, whatever you are, whoever you are
You are the only safe source guiding me."
Otter felt a now familiar golden light
When he opened his eyes the Orb
was floating above him, so bright.
The golden Orb felt Otter's conflict.
"Otter, what is it that you need from me?
Why do you feel so torn inside?"
Otter was always taken aback when
the Orb described his feelings inside.
"Well, yes, I am
worried. I don't know
why you chose me. How am I to take this chance,
when so many are looking to kill me?"
"You already know, Otter, it is your destiny.
Why is it that now, you have doubt in me?"
Otter was ashamed, but still worried.
The golden Orb spoke, and Otter listened intently.
"Yes, my dear
Otter, you are in for a battle,
the outcome is not sure.
But, if you depend on me with all your heart,
give up your shell and truly love Me,
then you will feel my strength that will
allow you to accomplish anything."
Otter was embarrassed that he needed reminding.
"Golden Spirit, I am sorry, my fear got the best of
me."
"It's alright
Otter, it will happen again.
Just do what you did tonight, close your
eyes and summon me. Now, sleep a peaceful sleep.
When you wake up, you will have the knowledge and energy.
To move forward towards your destiny."
Otter was already asleep when the golden orb,
the golden Spirit, reached down and poured
Itself into Otter, until Otter was also gleaming.
It wasn't everyday, Spirit gave away the
treasure to help Otter triumph.
But the golden Spirit already knew.
Otter was one who deserved it.
As the Sun rose, Otter's eyes remained closed.
But Prairie Dog was up and alert.
He would remain the look out
until Otter began to rouse
out of peaceful trance.
"Otter, you look different! You are more
beautiful than you were before!
How can that be?"
A loving smile formed across Otter's face.
"Come here, little one, I have something
to give you. Touch me and you will see.
"Ok Otter but I must tell you
I am feeling afraid. I don't want to
change into something I don't know.
"It's ok Prairie Dog, I will give you
a drop of golden essence
to keep you aware and safe."
"I'm sorry for my moment of doubt, Otter,"
he said, as he scampered into Otter's arms.
"Prairie Dog, we must make some plans,
that is, if you have the courage, the desire
to help me through to the very end.
Prairie Dog was a worrisome fellow,
being so small and all.
But that didn't matter now.
He would do anything to make Otter proud.
He knew Otter would soon depart,
his caused him to worry again.
Otter, you too, must take refuge
from this dried up land.
Where will you hurry back to?"
"No worries, little Prairie Dog!
See that line of trees over there?
I will dash right into the forest!
I'll go back to the stream which
Beaver and I comfortably share"
Prairie Dog had never travelled that far.
his place was on the prairie.
He started to shake with the thought
of entering the dark forest.
"But, but, but," he stammered.
"What about the cougars and bears?
How will you escape the fox's lair?
I must tell you, Otter, I am scared!"
"No need to be!" Otter declared.
"My little friend, I'm bigger than you
I am an Otter through and through."
"I'll make it
back home and once I'm there,
I will sincerely plan for our battle ahead.
Please stay here, don't go anywhere.
You are safe here and your task is important.
You must not tell anything about the treasure."
I hold this to you as I leave from here.
I'll be back, so do not despair.
Whatever you do, try to stay underground.
Lie still and sleep, don't make a sound.
You are protected now, the snakes
will slither right on by,
as long you will by me abide.
Go back to sleep and hold the treasure tight.
I'll be back after you've missed me for four nights.
Fear is frightful, and I know you are scared.
You'll be safe, I promise, as you dream in your den.
"I love you Otter, I'll do what I'm told."
He didn't wait for a reply as he went down his hole.
Otter was amazed. He'd never heard the word 'love' before,
but it made him smile and he felt the word's power.
Otter turned and headed off on his own,
to the forest entry, brave and alone.
Otter reached the edge of the trees.
He became wary, as he watched the breeze
bend the high grass just underneath
the entrance into the forest.
The grass moved and gave way
to what seemed a menacing sway.
Could it be Momma Gator,
coming his way?
Otter sniffed the air for the smell of danger.
Then he laughed a rolled playfully over.
It was Rocky Raccoon, his friend from long gone!
"Rocky, Rocky, my dear comrade!
It's so good to see you! How did you
make out of the forest this far?"
Rocky hugged Otter and leaned into his ear.
"Otter, don't you know? I followed you here.
When you left to the prairie, I stayed here and worried.
So I made my way as far as I could,
to where we are standing now.
"I waited and waited, and I worried still.
But I know you, Otter, I knew you'd be back!
You are our leader, you can't give up that!
We all depend on you for a reason!
You get us through every season.
But now, these darker days have come.
I must say I'm glad you've made it back home.
Come share the fish I've caught today.
You can catch me up, and sleep until day....
TO BE CONTINUED...
