Who Goes There?

 

          It was a day like so many others in the great forest.
            Morning came and was enjoyed like always. Ramona fed and cared for her family just like normal. Twigg and the puma bros went out to play in the snow that was drifted just outside of the Home Clearing. Cherry hung around with her mom around the fire.
            Ramona smiled a secret smile, almost as enigmatic as the cats’ smiles.
           Everyone who wanted one had drunk a fine cup of coffee after breakfast.
          Ralph, himself, was feeling a little thoughtful. He was feeling a little extra protective of his family and his animal friends and, in fact, the whole good forest.
            He sat gazing into the flames of the cooking fire. Sometimes he tossed another piece of deadfall into the flames, watching with satisfaction as the pockets of pitch it the wood caught fire and threw up little bursts of flame. He was hanging on to hope that he had seen the last of those flying contraptions. Ralph was careful not to worry. He wasn’t a worrier anyhow.
            Maeve flew down out of the treetops to sit on his shoulder. For once, she had nothing to say. She gazed into the fire also. Nothing unusual there.
            While they were sitting there, Linnet ran into the clearing, followed by her parents. She wanted to know where Twigg was and was sent off in the right direction. The parents took seats by the fire and were happy to try a cup of coffee. They seemed to like it. Ramona explained that sometimes it is taken with cream and or sugar, but that she only had the unadorned version.
            Everyone was toasting their toes near the fire and having a good talk. The fathers discussed hunting and such. The mothers discussed cooking and children and home crafts. Ramona rinsed out her coffee pot and made a fresh batch.
            Strangely, as it was gently boiling on the grid over the fire, Constance and Ferdy strode into the clearing. Constance was as beautiful as ever, and so was Ferdy. It was obvious that soon there would be another member of their family. Everyone was pretty excited to see that! The mothers hugged her and spoke quietly and privately with her. The three sat with their arms around each other, while Ferdy sat near Ralph and Linnet’s dad, talking about all kinds of male pursuits.
            “This is great,” said Ralph. “I love it that you all decided to visit today! What a happy accident!” Everyone agreed that sometimes really neat stuff just happens out of the blue, like a miracle. They were all smiling and laughing.
            Incredibly, Millicent and Colin appeared also.  It was almost too good to be true. Ralph was just tickled, and so was Ramona. Colin had a large box in his arms. He didn’t say anything about it though, and nobody took much notice of it anyhow.
            Pretty soon Twigg and Linnet and the cats came back from playing in the snow to dry out and warm up by the fire. They were excited to see so many guests and wondered why everyone had decided to visit on the same day.
            Ramona asked everyone to stay for dinner and everyone thought that was a wonderful idea. But she made no sign of starting to cook, but no one thought anything of it. They had every confidence that dinner would appear sooner or later.
            Conversation continued happily. Stories were told, and bits of histories explained. Comparisons made and love exchanged.
            Then Thaga appeared from the direction of the meadow and her home. She was bundled up against the cold with long skirts, sweaters and hat and mittens. She looked a little like a doll some child had overdressed a bit. She kissed Ramona, Constance and Linnet’s mom, and greeted the fathers nicely. She had a rather stuffed looking backpack on her back.
            Ooog followed her carrying a large box also, which was emitting steam and some very good smells. You’d think that by then the jig would be up, and maybe it was.
            Ralph just smiled at them all. He was really digging it. It was almost too good to be true, truly.
            Ooog said, finally, after holding up a hand for silence, “Ralph, old fellow, we don’t know when your birthday is, but it doesn’t matter. We decided to throw you a party anyhow, because every day is good and every day is a gift, and we love you.”
            The adults and the kids, and Maeve and Berry and Bob all stood up and cheered over and over until the forest rang with the sound of it. Birds and rabbits stopped their business for a moment to listen then went on their ways.
            Dinner turned out to be a grand lot of spicy grilled chicken and roasted potatoes and carrots from Ooog’s very good smelling box.
            After dinner, Colin’s box was opened and in it was a very large, very fancy cake from the best Milltown bakery. Raspberry filling and chocolate icing. Enough for everyone to have two slices.
            Then there was more coffee. Thaga opened her backpack and presented Ralph with a really fine box of cigars. She has her sources, for sure! There was also a nice big bag of coffee beans, since everyone had decided they liked coffee.
            Ralph made a speech, like you would after a surprise party, everyone cheered again.
            He thanked them and he told Ramona that he had been totally surprised! She thought she probably believed him, most likely.
            After much laughter and promises to get together soon, everyone drifted off towards home and sleep.
            The last to leave was Maeve.
            Her voice was heard clear up in the canopy caroling out “evermore!”