It Was A Thursday Afternoon in The Great Forest

 

            Hugo had been resting and browsing up in the First Meadow under the watchful eyes of Uncle Bob and Aunt Suzie for about three weeks. He was feeling much more cheerful and strong. He liked them so well that sometimes in the evening he would come and sit with them around their fire, gazing soulfully into the dancing flames, just like anybody else when there’s a fire to gaze into.
            They presented quite a sight, as you can well imagine.
            So, it was late in the year. Darkness came so very early that it almost seemed like it was always night or twilight under the almost constant cloud cover. It was the time of year when people and creatures gather for food and comfort and in trust that the sun will be back.
            Accordingly, at the apex of that cloudy day, Maeve arrived at the Stump House to speak to Uncle Bob or Aunt Suzie. She loved a dramatic entrance, drifting down out of the grey light in great swooping circles as if she were the emissary of a king, which she often was.
            When she finally landed she said, “I come with a message! Thaga says would you please come to their house today for dinner, but come early! Bring Hugo too!”
            Uncle Bob said, “We will! Tell her we’ll come and bring Hugo too!”
            Maeve launched into the air to complete her mission. Next she needed to bring the message to Ralph.
            Once arrived at the Home Clearing she did a couple of barrel rolls in the air and more swoops. When all eyes were on her she landed on Ralph’s shoulder.
            “I have a message, Boss! It’s for everybody here. It’s from Thaga and Ooog! They want you to pack up everyone, Hector, you and Ramona, Cherry and Twigg, Blue and Berry and Bob too!
It’s for a dinner at their house! Will you come? All of you? What shall I tell her?” said Maeve breathlessly.
            “Hugo is coming with Bob and Suzie, Hector! Twigg, will you go find Marge and bring her too?” she finished at last.
            She waited patiently, for the return message.
            “Of course we’ll come. We’ll all come! Tell her we’ll be there, every one of us, with the cats and the wolf!
            “Tell her, Birdie!” said Ralph.
            Maeve flew back to Thaga to help as much as she could with her beak, which is a pretty good tool after all.
            Thaga baked four wild turkeys with herb and garlic stuffing.
            Then she baked her rolls, whole wheat, because she grinds it herself.
            She made an apple and walnut salad, quite a large bowl of it.
            Sauerkraut baked with onions, apples and sausages she had made with venison earlier in the year.
            Ooog always wanted mashed potatoes, so she made an awful lot of those, because, after all, he grew all those potatoes in the summer!
                        There was a nut and raisin cake, plain, baked the day before for those will the appetite for dessert.
           
            All of this, plus her cucumber pickles, was on the table when guests began to arrive.
            She uncorked about four bottles of her plum wine too!
            Yes, it was a crowded house.
            Hugo had to be placed first. He sat way back in the corner of the living room. He was happy to see his old friend Hector, of course, but wanted Uncle Bob and Suzie to sit beside him. It turned out that Hugo was a very nice house guest! No problem at all.
            Ralph and Ramona sat together on the couch, which was a sturdy one built by Ooog of course.
            Cherry kind of hung around with the animals on the floor. Blue was right at her elbow as usual. Bob and Berry had parked themselves at Ralph’s feet.
            Twigg came a little later with Marge. He’d had a little trouble getting her attention at home with her mother, without her mother seeing him. He did the old pebble toss to the window thing until she noticed it and opened the window. She told Enid that she was going to see Thaga and Ooog for the evening and that was that!
            It had to be a buffet style dinner. There were too many to sit at the table. In addition, sitting at a table is awkward for wolves, and pumas and moose!
            When everyone had a place to sit, including Maeve, though she didn’t sit. She walked around, mingling like she was the hostess or something.
            Thaga sat down at last on a wooden side chair, folded her hands, and smiled at the houseful of guests.
            At last, Ooog stood and faced the group, standing beside Thaga. He smiled at each face one by one. Everyone was silent waiting to hear what he would say, even Maeve paid attention to him.
            “Welcome,” Ooog began. “We are so pleased and happy that you all could join us on such short notice. Thaga started planning it a couple of days ago, then she made cake yesterday and told me to stay out of it. So, I knew she was serious about a gathering.
            “Now, I know most of you don’t bother with calendars, but this day is a tradition human day of thanksgiving. It’s just more fun with friends around, so, here we all are.
            “We give thanks on this day, though we ought to everyday, to the Maker of All, in whom we live and have our existence!” 
            Then there was a lot of jolly conversation, Twigg and Marge helped by bringing plates of food to Ralph and Ramona. They placed plates conveniently for Blue and the puma bros.
            Since they were working as waiters, Twigg and Marge sat at the table where they could be helpful if called.
            Ooog surprised Hugo with a very large bin of tender grass and leaves, since moose don’t care for human food, except for a piece of cake possibly, if it were offered.
            The adults all had a little glass of plum wine. Cherry and the animals had milk.
            Everyone talked about what a year it had been, and their hopes for the next spring and summer.
            They talked until it was way after dark, but as you know, that’s not a problem for Forest Keepers, and Twigg was there to make sure Marge got home alright.
            The dinner was a great success, it was decided to do it again the next fall, and all slept soundly that night!

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