Tales From the Glades of Ballymore (21 page)

The past few days had been life altering for Sam.  He was finally experiencing the Ballymore he had heard about.

Sam said, “How can I thank you for everything you’ve done?  This is what I hoped for when I came here five years ago.”

“You have given more to Ballymore than we have given you.  You have reminded us of the importance of not ‘judging a book by its cover’.  I am grateful to you.  Welcome, Sam Snapping Turtle.  You are now part of the Ballymore family.”

Each year during the last week of August, the animals held Remembrance Evening.  It was then that they honored the memory of loved ones and friends who had passed on.  The chosen day varied each year depending upon the weather as so much did.  A quiet, clear evening was desired.

After consulting with Grenby, Bartholomew decided that the coming Thursday evening at 9 bongs would be a good time for the service.  On Monday he sent messages to everyone.  As was the custom, he asked them to provide the names of the animals that they would like remembered.  By Wednesday everyone had responded.  This year’s list would have forty-seven unique names.  Some animals were mentioned more than once.

The swans delivered some beautiful parchment paper upon which he inscribed the names.  Several sheets were required.  This was the Remembrance List.  As you know, most of the animals couldn’t read.  Bartholomew would point out the names to each one on Thursday night.  Over the years, some had learned to recognize the letters.

The location was always the ducks’ dock at the east end of the island.  Earlier in the day, the squirrels and chipmunks had set up everything.  Three tables, with white table cloths, were placed near the dock.  The first table held many large lily pads.  On the second table were short candles and matches.  The last table held a large selection of paper tubes in various colors.

Neatly arranged around the dock were chairs on which the animals would sit.  On the dock itself was a small table, also with a white table cloth.  Bartholomew would place four large candles and the Remembrance List on it before the service began.

Bartholomew was the first there.  He wore his best dark grey suit.  Everyone would be dressed formally; even Grenby would try.

He placed the candles, lighted them, and then laid the Remembrance List between them.  The soft glow from the candles added a touch of additional elegance to the parchment.  As the day faded to night, the effect would increase.  Everything was ready.

It was cool evening, and there was a light breeze.  Despite the breeze, the pond’s surface was as smooth as glass.  A slow natural current flowed west to east on its way to the creek at the east end of the pond.  The current’s origin was, of course, the underground spring.  He threw a pine cone in the water and watched as it slowly drift eastward.  Perfect, he thought.

This was a time for reflection, and Bartholomew thought of his parents.  When you remember your loved ones, it is not uncommon to recall specific small events that you thought you had forgotten.  Bartholomew remembered his father teaching him how to fly.  It was so long ago, yet it seemed like yesterday.

“Now, extend your wings to full length, and move them up and down like this,” his father instructed.

His father was so young then.  His mother always called his father, “Handsome”.

“Very good, son!  Now, flap a little faster until you just start to lift off of the branch.  Make sure you flap both wings equally.  Then, flap slower and settle back down.  I’ll show you.”

He could see his father effortlessly lifting off of the branch.  He remembered the encouragement he always gave him.  Now, so many years later, he knew he was blessed to have had him as a father.

A brief breeze ruffled his feathers and brought him back to the present.  The raft was approaching with the first group of animals.  The raft would have to make four trips to transport everyone to the island.  The boat was not available because it needed a little maintenance.  All had arrived by 9 bongs.  The animals were familiar with the customs.  They went to the tables and selected lily pads, candles, and paper tubes.  Then, they began milling about and chatting with each other.

Exactly at 9 bongs Bartholomew called to them, “Everybody, please be seated.  We are ready to begin.”

Each animal found a seat and became silent.

“Good evening, dear friends.  Each year we assemble on this dock to remember and honor our loved ones and friends, who are no longer with us.  It is an opportunity to recall, fondly, the many happy times we spent with them.  Our lives are richer for them.  It is also true that we made their lives richer with our kindnesses and love when they were with us.  That is the main point I would like to make this evening.  Treat each other with kindness now when we have each other.  Do not wait until later.  Please do not wait until the only way to honor them is on a night like this one.”

He paused.  “Would you please stand.”

The animals all stood.

“Please give your neighbors a hug, and wish them well,” he asked.

Bartholomew left the dock and joined in with the others.

Branna Bluebird hugged her family and sat down.  She was thinking of her grandmother, Beatrice.  She loved to sit in the kitchen and watch her grandmother cook and bake.  One of her favorites was apple-walnut pie.  When she was old enough, she was allowed to help.  She peeled the apples and chopped the walnuts.

“Branna, if you keep snacking on the walnuts there will none left for the pie,” scolded her grandmother.

“I was just making sure they were fresh, Granny.”

“I see.  Have you determined that they are fresh?”

“Yes, very fresh,” answered Branna.

“Then, you won’t be sampling anymore, I assume?”

“No, Granny,” said Branna smiling.

Her grandmother had some special way of making everything taste so wonderful.  Branna knew the answer now — Love.

Petunia Porcupine remembered her husband, Peter.  They came to Ballymore many years ago with wonderful plans to open a bakery.  As you know, they did open it, but unfortunately, Peter passed on.  Petunia remembered Peter rising at six bongs every weekday morning to begin the baking.  Donuts and croissants were his favorites.  At 8 bongs every morning, he brought her a cup of tea and a pastry in bed.  He was always so sweet to her.  Petunia wiped her eyes.

After a short while Bartholomew returned to his place behind the table, and the animals returned to their seats.

“Now I would like to begin the reading of the Remembrance List.  As always, it will be done by family.  After I complete the reading, please line up on the left side of the dock with your floating candles.  Then, you may place them in the water, and move off to the right along the bank.

“The Beavers.  The Beaver family wishes to honor Bradley Beaver and Brigit Beaver.”

He read the complete Remembrance List and then finished with a blessing.

“May the Creator of the everlasting universe grant them eternal peace.”

The animals rose and formed an orderly line.  They waited, silently, for their turn to approach the edge of the dock.  Each family carefully slid their lily pads and candles onto the water and moved off to the right along the bank.  Bartholomew was the last one to place candles.  They were in remembrance of his father and mother, Chesney and Olivia.

Everyone, lost in their memories, watched the flotilla from the bank.  It was dark but for the little glowing memorials drifting eastward.  The red, green, blue, and yellow halos represented the lives of dozens of animals who have not been forgotten.

Nor would they be.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Bell Tower

Bartholomew was perched on a branch of his favorite oak tree.  The early September night was cool.  He was thinking about the next trip that Cyrus Owl had planned for them.  He was still impressed by Cyrus’s foresight.  Of course, this was not just about solving a puzzle or finding a gift.  It was about the critical importance of Ballymore residents appreciating and maintaining the values expressed in the letter.  Also, the future residents of Ballymore were just as important as they had been to Cyrus.  Bartholomew decided that he, in some way, would leave something for them, also.

For now though, he needed to plan the trip to the bell tower.  This trip would require more sensitivity than the first.  They would be going to a peopled area, and it was best to avoid contact.  For that reason he wouldn’t ask for volunteers but would draft a team with the necessary skills.

The distance was the same to the hamlet as to The Hills but in the opposite direction.  It would, again, be a six day trip.  He decided that a smaller team would be more efficient.  After careful consideration he selected:

Wilde & Wilder Weasel

Branna Bluebird

Stoddard Swan

Sedgewick & Sofie Squirrel

Burton Beaver

Including himself, there were eight.

His plan was to follow the creek to the hamlet and church.  There would be five nights of camping but, this time, without tents.  He didn’t want to attract attention.  They had to stay out of sight as much as possible.  If they were spotted, they would have to blend into the woods.  That would mean, among other things, abandoning their clothes and belongings.  The campsites would not be preselected but would be chosen based upon what happened on the trip.

They would go to the bell tower in the middle of the third night and dig out the box.  Stoddard would immediately fly it, or perhaps only its contents, back to Ballymore.  The rest of the group would hike back over the next three days.

The following morning, he sent messages to the chosen team members and asked them to come to a meeting at his treehouse on Monday evening, in two days.  The purpose was not mentioned.  He requested that the weasels come a half-hour early.

When the messages were received, they caused quite a stir and a lot of speculation.  Branna was involved in delivering the messages and suspected that another expedition would be announced.  She was pleased to have been chosen again.  She spent the next two days doing wing exercises just in case she had to make long flights.

Sedgewick and Sofie Squirrel also suspected another trip.  Although, their children were more excited than they.  They told their friends that their parents were going to be heroes.

The situation was similar at the beaver home.  Additionally, Burton knew that a puzzle trip would affect the building of Sam’s cottage.  That would have to wait until he returned.  If the trip only lasted a week, the cottage could still be built by the middle of October.

Stoddard thought his invitation was curious but was so busy, he didn’t have time to ponder its meaning.  He would wait and find out on Monday.

The weasels were the most excited.  The trip to The Hills had been a great adventure for them, and they could hardly wait for Monday night.  They washed their fatigues.  They had just gotten new berets and would wear them for the first time.  They even took baths.

Monday evening, the weasels arrived early.

Bartholomew detailed the trip plans to them.  Then, he surprised them by asking them to be the team leaders.  He said he felt they had the necessary training and experience.  Also, they had earned it.  The weasels were overjoyed.

Wilde said, “We appreciate the confidence you are showing in us.  This is an important mission for us.  It’s an important mission for Ballymore, and it will succeed.”