Tales From the Glades of Ballymore (2 page)

Map Of Ballymore - March 1891

Grenby’s Flags

Bluebirds Rescuing The Chipmunks

Rachel Meets Sam

Mud And Mole Geyser

HMS Ballymore On Midsummers Eve

Luminous Underground Lake

Sam Rescuing The Chipmunks

The Bell Tower

Sinking The Frogs

“Rats” Chase Finn Up The Well

The New Library

The Ice Dam

The Gift

• Bartholomew Owl is the beloved councillor of Ballymore.  He has lived in his treehouse, on the north shore of Ballymore pond, for many years.
  

• Brigit Badger (Dr. Brigit) is the Ballymore doctor and specializes in herbal medicine.  She lives next to Bartholomew.
  

• Petunia Porcupine lives on the northwest shore next to Dr. Brigit.  She grows fruits and vegetables in her large garden and orchard.  She also makes scrumptious baked goodies.
  

• Wilde and Wilder Weasel are brothers.  They are the mischievous, unofficial security guards for Ballymore and live on the west shore.
  

• Malcolm and Maeve Mole and their children, Melrose and Merwin, live on the southwest shore.  They dig tunnels, foundations, and other excavations.
  

• Grenby Groundhog is Ballymore’s eccentric weather forecaster for nine months a year (he sleeps the other three).  His small hut is next to the moles’ cottage.
  

• Reginald and Rhonda Rabbit and their children, Robbie, Rachel, and Rain, live on the south shore.  They assemble beautiful flower baskets and bouquets from their large flower garden.  Reginald is the Ballymore tailor.
  

• Sedgewick and Sofie Squirrel and their children, Shane and Seely, live on the south shore next to the rabbits.  They construct roofs for Ballymore cottages and other buildings.
  

• Charles and Cheryl Chipmunk and their children, Colin, Conner, and Craig are helpers.  They will help with almost anything if they are not playing  They live next to the squirrels on the south shore.
  

• Farley and Fionna Frog and their children, Finnilly (Finn) and Faith, live on the southeast shore.  They are the wonderful Ballymore artists.  Finn is a pal of the weasels.
  

• Burton and Beatrice Beaver, and their children, Birch, Birk, and Belva, build the excellent Ballymore cottages and other structures.  They live across the creek from the frogs on the southeast shore.
  

• Morris Muskrat builds furniture for the residents and lives on the northeast shore.  He is one of Bartholomew’s best friends.
  

• Bartley and Bree Bluebird and their children, Branna, Britt, and Brie operate the very efficient Ballymore messenger service.  Their treehouse is next to Morris on the northeast shore.
  

• Devon and Dahlia Duck and their children, Declan, Darma, and Dierdre, transport goods and residents around Ballymore on their raft.  They live on the east end of the island.
  

• Stoddard and Sean Swan procure needed goods for the residents from afar.  They live in the center of the island.
  

NOTE: The setting for this book is Ireland in 1891.  You may notice that some of the animals in the book do not normally live in Ireland.  However, when you get to know them, I’m sure that you will agree they are special.  They can live where they choose.  How Ballymore was founded, many years earlier, is a story for another time.

The thoughtful owl gazed out over Ballymore pond as he has done many times previous.  It was just before midnight 0n the final night of February.  A bright moon was rising to highlight the wavelets on the water.  As the pond responded to a cool north breeze, the changing light patterns danced across the surface of the water.  The moonlight also outlined the island near the center of the pond.  Spring had not yet arrived in Ballymore.  Save for the wind, there was a peaceful silence.

Bartholomew, as he was known, firmly gripped the branch of the oak tree on which he perched.  He was careful not to injure the bark with his sharp talons.  Over the years, he had developed a warm and mutually beneficial relationship with the tree.  Since his arrival, the pesky bugs, which had long annoyed the tree, were gone.  The tree provided a safe place for his cozy home.  More than once it had arranged its branches to protect it from storms.

He has lived in the old tree for many years, and his small treehouse was only a few feet away.  It was built with wood from another oak tree that hadn’t survived a winter storm.  With much help from his beaver and squirrel friends and more than a few hammered tails, it sat securely in the main crook of the tree about twenty feet above the forest floor.
The treehouse was modest with only three rooms, a parlor, kitchen, and bedroom.  A small stone fireplace sat in one corner of the parlor.  A large, pillowy rocking chair faced it.  Along one wall was his library with books on nearly every subject.  Along another were paintings of Ballymore and his friends.  The wooden furnishings in his home were comfortable but not fancy.  The bedroom had only a large chest of drawers and a small but very soft bed.  The kitchen was full of pots and pans and cooking gadgets.  Each morning he used a wooden bucket-n’-pulley system to hoist cool water from the pond through a hole in the kitchen floor.  Of course, the hole was covered when not being used.

Near the foot of the tree, he had a root cellar filled with every type of food and herb on which he could get his talons.  It was securely locked to keep away prying paws.  Although, it was unlikely that anyone from Ballymore would take anything, except perhaps Wilde and Wilder, the weasels.
Bartholomew was content as he watched the slow moving pond water.  He felt the gentle breeze and listened to the silence.  A soft scent from the pines was in the air.  He enjoyed the peaceful time away from his many responsibilities.  Nature moved at a steady, even pace and would not be rushed.  Bartholomew realized that many years ago and has taken advantage of that knowledge ever since.
Does Bartholomew have responsibilities?  Oh, yes.  As the oldest and most educated animal in Ballymore, he was often asked for advice and guidance.  Over the years, he has come to love this role, and he felt a sort of calling to watch over his “sheep”.
In this book you will meet the lovable animal residents of Ballymore and read of their adventures.  This is also part of your own adventure.  I sincerely hope you enjoy
Tales From The Glades of Ballymore
.

CHAPTER ONE

March Winds

It was Bartholomew’s custom to circle the shoreline of Ballymore pond every night after midnight if the weather permitted.  That way, he assured himself that all of the animal residents were safe and sound in their homes.  He could then retire in peace.

March 1st the weather was fine indeed as he made his usual rounds.  He was a large mottled brown owl with powerful wings.  When the wind allowed, he skillfully used those wings to glide for long stretches.  Tonight, there was only a light breeze.  As he flew just above the treetops, his golden eyes had a good view of the dark pond and countryside. 

Ballymore pond was located deep in the Irish countryside.  It was one-half mile long and one-quarter mile wide.  A small, narrow island sat near the middle.  There was no finished path around the pond, but the shoreline could be walked or hopped in about an hour and a half.  It was fed by a warm underground spring, and the clear water exited by means of a small creek at the southeast end.  Most of the animals had their small stone cottages or treehouses scattered along the shore.  A few lived on the island. 

The shoreline was forested with fragrant pines.  A few hundred feet back from the water, small fields and glades mingled with numerous oaks, birches, elms, and hazels.  The animals rarely ventured beyond that point.  More woods and fields continued into the distance.  

To the north The Hills rose above the trees.  Their elevation was several hundred feet above the pond, and typically, the wind was much stronger there.  They were mostly grass and heather covered.  Strewn boulders dotted the landscape.  A few unexplored caves hid in The Hills, and legend has it that one of them leads to an underground lake.  Although wild and rough, they were very beautiful.

About ten miles to the south, Waterford hamlet rested beside the same creek that flowed from Ballymore pond.  The creek meandered through the woods and eventually found its way to and through the hamlet.  As far as we know, there has never been contact with the people that live there.  Nonetheless, it has played an important role in the life of the Ballymore residents.  The hamlet had an old stone church.  From the top of its tall bell tower, a large bronze bell pealed over the hills and valleys every hour.  The animals couldn’t tell time, but Bartholomew patiently taught them how to count the bongs.  So, in a sense, they could tell time.  He also taught them how to read a calendar, and everyone had one in their home.  Although, some were last year’s.

Map Of Ballymore - March 1891

Bartholomew preferred to circle the pond counterclockwise.  It was an old habit.  He liked habits because they helped keep everything in order.  Whenever he flew over the pond, he looked for anything unusual.  There had been a recent sighting of the “Pond Creature” as it was called by some.  As usual, the description was vague: large, dark, and scary.  He had never seen anything, and tonight was no exception.  All was peacefully quiet, and he looked forward to his soft bed.  However, as he approached the northeast shore, he noticed a lighted window in one cottage.  It was the home of Morris Muskrat, the furniture maker and an old friend.