While Gemma and Opie made their way back to Gemma’s mother, Gemma stopped when she heard a strange sound.
Gemma dropped the plants and looked around, “do you hear that?”
Opie set down the plant that he was carrying and listened… “Oh, that sounds like an owl,” he said.
“An owl? Momma said that owls come out at night,” Gemma looked around the trees.
“Yes, generally they do but there are a couple of species that are up during the day. However, maybe this one was being disrupted by something else,” Opie explained.
“It’s not going to hurt us is it?” Gemma asked.
“No, I don’t think so. For one, you’re a lot bigger then what they usually attack. If anything, it might come after me,” Opie said.
“Well, we’d better get moving then,” Gemma said and then carefully picked up the two plants.
Opie looked around among the trees and hoped that the owl was just making its presence known. He then picked up the plant and hurried to catch up to Gemma. Opie looked up at Gemma briefly as they walked along. He was content that he found a new friend like her.
Gemma couldn’t stop thinking about how peaceful the pasture was. She never thought that she would see anything so beautiful, besides her momma of course. She also couldn’t help but feel proud that she, with Opie’s help, had gotten some good greens for her momma. Because of that thought, Gemma was anxious to get back home to her.
Gemma looked down at Opie and tried to speak, “tank you fa comin wit me.”
Opie looked up at Gemma and tried to comprehend what she just said to him. He then stopped and dropped the plant, “did you just thank me for something?”
Gemma looked at Opie and nodded. Before she could put the plants down and say something, they heard the owl again.
“Who who,” the owl said as it appeared in the tree above them.
“Let’s get going,” Opie said and quickly picked up the plant.
“Hey, what’s your hurry?” the owl asked.
Gemma stopped and looked up.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I would like to be your friend too,” the owl said.
Gemma looked at Opie and then back at the owl. She put the two plants down and asked him his name, “hello sir, what is your name?”
“Oh, you can call me Alvis,” he said.
“It’s nice to meet you Alvis. I’m Gemma and this is Opie.”
“Nice to finally meet you both.”
Opie dropped his plant, “finally meet us? What do you mean by finally?”
“Oh, I’ve been watching you both for the past few days.”
“You have?” said Gemma.
“Yes I have. I moved to this area just over a week ago and even saw you on your first night alive,” Alvis looked at Gemma.
“You did?”
“Yes, and you Opie are a smart little creature. I like how you maintain your home and mushroom patch, and how you have looked after Gemma.”
Opie was unsure of Alvis. He looked at Gemma and suggested they get back to her momma.
“Oh yes. Alvis, it was nice to meet you but we need to get these greens back to my Momma,” Gemma said.
“Oh, I understand. If there is anything I can do for either of you, please let me know,” Alvis said.
“Thank you Alvis. If you want to stop by my home later you are welcome to,” Gemma said and then picked up the two plants.
Opie picked up the one plant that he was carrying and glanced up at Alvis before he started to walk. Alvis watched as his two new friends as they headed for home. After a few minutes Alvis flew off in the other direction. Gemma picked up her pace a little bit because she began to worry about her momma.
After about fifteen more minutes, Gemma and Opie arrived at her home. She trotted over to her momma and dropped the two plants in front of her.
“Here Momma, we have some good food for you,” Gemma said and rubbed her head against her momma’s head.
“Gemma, I was beginning to worry about you.”
“Oh Momma, no need to worry. This is Opie and he helped me.”
Opie walked up to Momma and gently placed the plant near her, “hello Mam, I met Gemma when she stopped by my mushroom patch.”
Momma looked at Gemma and Gemma nodded yes.
“It’s nice to meet you Opie and thank you for looking out for my little girl.”
“It’s been my pleasure,” Opie nodded.
“How are you feeling Momma? Here, eat, it’s really good,” Gemma said.
“Thank you Gemma. I’ll be stronger in no time now,” Momma said and started to eat.
While Momma munched on the plants, Gemma told her all about her day. She started with the beautiful, big, blue, sky all round her and then the never ending field of green and flowering plants. Gemma said that she never thought she would eat a plant so tasty, and understands why it’s so beneficial to them. Opie laid down and listened to how excited his new friend was about what she experienced. Gemma also told her how she paid attention to the sounds around her. And how helpful Opie was by taking her to the pasture and getting the plants out of the ground. The last thing that Gemma mentioned was Alvis and what a beautiful and wise owl he seems to be.
“You met an owl?” Momma asked.
“Yes, and he saw me the night I was born,” Gemma said.
Momma looked at Opie and he nodded yes to her.
“He must be a friendly owl then to watch you grow like you have,” Momma said.
“Yes, he seems nice just like Opie. And thanks again Opie for helping me today,” Gemma said.
“Oh, you’re welcome little Gem. Anytime you need me I’ll be here for you. I must be heading home now too. It was good to meet you Mam,” Opie said.
“It was nice to meet you. And thank you,” Momma said.
Opie left for his home and Momma expressed how happy she was to have her little fawn home with her. Opie was happy that little Gems mother looked like she was doing a better. And Alvis, from high in a tree observed the love shared between his new friends. One day he hopes to meet Gemmas mother as well.
I may or may not continue with this story just to let you know. It is something that I have just been playing with. Let me know what you think.
This story is very cute ! I think a little more should be written about Gemma, her momma, Opie and Alvis just letting everyone know that throughout Gemma's life growing up that her mom and friends of all kinds are staying healthy , strong and enjoying life to the best of their abilities.