Every season has its purpose.
Summertime is a productive time. Long, lazy and warm days provide an environment for growth and maturity. Gardens are in full bloom, extra hours of sunshine provide an abundance of time for fortification and sustaining reproduction. Garden plants hang heavy with food that will be harvested and saved for months to come.
As the trees explode with brilliant colors, the beauty of fall is indescribable. Fall is a busy season, a season for reaping the fruits of hard labor at the end of the long growing season. The waning days of fall also signals the promise of a winter that’s surely to come.
Everyone prepares with purposeful intention. All with one hope in mind, that winter won’t be a long drawn out affair. Even the trees, while keeping vigilant watch over all who dwell beneath, make preparations of their own. The leaves fall wistfully to the ground, serving an ultimate purpose. Insulation is needed to keep their roots warm from the harsh weather. The leaves give back to the earth by providing nourishment and enrichment for the next growing season. They also provide supplies needed to shelter animals, big and small, for the season to come.
For all of its bitterness, winter holds a beauty that is not always readily appreciated. One must look closely in order to appreciate this, often, misunderstood period of rest. The land takes needed time, rejuvenating for the upcoming season of rebirth.
Finally, the magical moment arrives. It’s as though nature has sounded an alarm clock. Humans and animals alike slowly emerge, surveying the newness of the world around them. Even the plants leisurely poke their heads upward from beneath the ground, as if to be saying hello. Spring has arrived.
It’s a glorious spring day in the forest. The leaves are bright green, lush growth blankets the forest floor. The air is filled with energy and excitement as preparations are made for the gigantic spring gala that will, in a few short days, bring the forest to life, heralding a new beginning for all.
The citizens scramble as decorations and stages are set up for the most anticipated party of the year. A time for reunions after a long season of isolation and reflection. A time where old friends catch up and new friends are made.
Did you get your invitation to the gala yet? The curious chipmunk asked. Stella held her head high, trying as best she could to hide her feelings. She worried that she was waiting for an invitation that would never arrive. Not yet, she replied. The mail is probably just slow; after all, lots of invitations have been sent. It should arrive soon, she announced with a hopeful smile.
The gala is in two days, the chipmunk reminded. I know, I know, it’ll come, Stella dismissed. The chipmunk smiled a comforting smile, he felt bad for Stella. The chipmunk suspected that Stella was indeed waiting for an invitation that would never arrive. After all, the other animals had received their invites days ago.
Stella is a plump little skunk. Year after year she tries her best to convince herself that the invitation must have been lost in the mail. She refused to accept the fact that humans and animals alike fear her kind; specifically the unique talent that the skunk possesses.
Other than the occasional foolish dog or a young animal, who has yet to be acquainted with the smelly consequences of being pushy with a skunk, they are one of the most feared species in the forest. Tangling with a skunk assured that whomever was on the receiving end would receive a lesson that would not soon be forgotten, in more ways than one.
Stella heard the call of the blue jay. The mailman is coming!! She perked up, she just knew that the invitation would come in today’s mail. Stella bounded from her burrow to meet the blue jay, hoping to be the proud recipient of a gala invitation in seconds. She arrived at the small clearing outside of her home only to see the blue jay soar past, never stopping.
There must be a mistake! Stella thought. Come back, you have my mail! Stella yelled to the blue jay. The bird never looked back, he continued his flight without pause. No mail for Stella today.
Stella frequently ate when she was sad or nervous…she ate a lot. She hated that she couldn’t control herself better and always felt even worse after the food binge concluded.
Her heart sank as she officially began to realize that another year would come and go, leaving her empty handed, while all of the other forest citizens celebrated spring again without her.
Stella waddled to the edge of the forest to a nearby farmhouse. She perched on her hind legs and grabbed the rim of an overflowing trash can, tipping it to the ground.
As she feasted on a massive pile of scraps she was completely unaware of the farmer taking aim with a shotgun from the front porch. An ear deafening crash sprayed the nearby trash can with buck shot. Stella leaped from the ground, her heart raced as she scurried away for her life.
Fast on her heels, a hound dog barked furiously and chased Stella deep into the forest. Oh no! She fretted as the dog kept pace behind her across the forest floor. Stella knew that no one wanted to be around her because of the stereotype that hovered like a black, smelly, cloud over her head. She never liked to use her secret weapon. As a matter of fact, Stella went far out of her way trying not to use it.
The dog closed in fast, Stella knew that she must do something. She stopped in her tracks, raising her tail toward the dog. In an instant, the crisp, fresh spring air filled with a terribly breath taking odor. The dog shook his head vigorously and rolled wildly on his back, trying to wipe the nauseating mist from his fur. He gasped and howled in anguish.
I’m so sorry, I didn’t want to do that! Stella pleaded with the dog, hoping that he‘d believe her. The dog grunted, barely able to speak. Go away you stinky beast!
Stella waddled away, feeling badly that she had to spray the dog. She felt even worse about herself now and she worried more than ever that she’d never make new friends. She hated being a skunk and that everyone was afraid of her. All she wanted was a friend; she wanted to be like the others. She longed to jump and play and hang out with the other animals in the forest. She simply wanted to fit in. How was she ever to make friends if everyone was scared of her?? She wondered.
Stella’s thoughts were rudely interrupted by snickering from two squirrels who precariously hovered high above from the limb of a giant oak tree. Hey Stella, did you get your invite to the gala yet? One of the squirrels teased. No, it’ll probably come tomorrow, Stella softly replied. She became increasingly unable to mask her feelings. She felt like an outcast more than ever now.
The squirrels laughed. Yeah, maybe it’ll show up on the day of the party, the squirrels teased. Oh wait, that’s tomorrow. Stella ran away crying. She felt absolutely humiliated.
She ran as far as she could into the forest, sobbing all the way. Her eyes were so filled with tears that she could barely see anything in her path. She tripped over a lump and tumbled and rolled a few feet before landing squarely on her behind.
Stella got up and shook her head. After drying her eyes, she searched the path, trying to figure out what could have possibly caused her to take such a nasty spill. Looking back from where she came, she spotted two turtles, slowly inching their way toward her.
Oh my! Are you okay young lady? One of the turtles anxiously inquired. Stella walked over to the turtles, figuring that she could save them some time since they moved so slowly. I think so, she replied. I’m sorry for not watching my step, she apologized. Not to worry, we can’t exactly move out of the way quickly, the turtles joked.
Stella suddenly realized that the turtles weren’t afraid of her. How could this be? She wondered. I’m Stella. My name is Cecil, and this is my wife Ethel, the turtle introduced he and his wife.
Umm, you’re not afraid of me?? Stella’s eyes widened with relieved happiness. Heavens no, why would we be? Because no one else seems to want me around, I figured turtles would be no different. My dear, that’s because everyone else in the forest is always in such a hurry. We know that you’re harmless. You use your special talent to defend yourself and I don’t think that two old, slow turtles are gonna be scaring you anytime soon, Cecil laughed.
Stella smiled. Finally, she had made new friends! It’s nice not to be misunderstood, Stella said.
Sweetie, the other animals move through their lives so quickly, day after day, that they don’t take time to listen or understand the world around them. We don’t blame them, it seems to be the way of the world these days. I do wish that they would slow down, Ethel said. As for me and Ethel, I suppose we have no choice, Cecil interrupted with a laugh. We see and hear a lot, so we understand my dear, Ethel comforted.
Where are you headed? Stella quizzed. We’re heading to the gala, if we can make it in time. Moving slowly has its benefits, but it has its drawbacks as well, Cecil replied. We miss it almost every year; we usually show up just as they’re taking all the decorations down, Ethel laughed.
At least you get invited, Stella hung her head low. Well, this year we’re trying desperately to arrive on time, Cecil explained. Why? There’s a small pack of wolves who plan to crash the gala, Ethel announced. Oh my! The wolves will ruin the party, they’ll eat everything in sight, Stella gasped. Not to mention, they’re not the most courteous of animals, they’ll trash the place, Cecil added.
How do you know? Are you sure the wolves are gonna crash the party? Stella asked. We’re quite sure my dear; we’re turtles, we sit around all day so we hear a lot and we heard their plans a week ago, Ethel assured.
Stella grew anxious. Oh dear! I’ve got to warn the others. No offense, but you two will never make it in time. Stella knew she had to do something. The turtles would never make it in time and she wasn’t able to carry the turtles with her. She sighed, suddenly realizing that if she showed up, everyone would run. She’d surely be thrown out of the party by the security guards.
I’ve got to figure out how to warn the others so the gala isn’t ruined, Stella exclaimed.
All that night Stella racked her brain, she desperately tried to figure out how she could possibly get into the gala and warn everyone before they ran and hid from her.
Finally, gala day arrived. The decorations hung beautifully from the low branches of the trees which surrounded the large clearing. An enormous spread of food filled the banquet tables as the guests began to arrive for the annual rite of spring. The biggest party of the year was underway and Stella could not figure out how to keep the wolves from ruining it for the others.
She sat in hiding, at the edge of the clearing behind some vines. She panicked as she saw three wolves creeping along the path toward the gala. Stella’s eyes brightened, she suddenly had an idea. She raced as quickly as she could toward the clearing.
She sped past security, leaping toward the main stage. Once she had been spotted, the guests scrambled in every direction as Stella parted the crowd right down the center. The wolves are coming to crash the party! She yelled frantically. Stella turned and spotted the pack as they entered the clearing. They made a beeline toward the banquet tables, licking their lips as they prepared to ravage the food that was laid out for the forest guests.
Stella ran toward the wolves as hard as she could. She finally intercepted the path of the hungry, uncivilized party crashers and stopped directly in front of them. The wolves looked at her with horror, knowing what was about to happen. Stella hiked her tail high. In an instant a wall of rotten spray filled the air. One by one, the wolves crashed head on through the invisible barrier. They yelped and howled in agony, their eyes filled with tears at the horrific odor. They turned immediately and ran for the forest, their tails crouched between their legs. They screamed and cried all the way.
Several of the animals watched from nearby refuge. They reveled in amazement at Stella’s heroic actions. The gala was saved. Joy soon turned to shame as the guests began to feel embarrassed by their actions; they felt ashamed that they’d purposely turned their backs on poor Stella year after year. They realized that they had misjudged this plump little creature.
Stella was soon surrounded by the other animals as the gala host led a cheer for their unlikely hero.
She reveled in the moment, for she had never felt so happy and accepted in all of her life. Her moment of acceptance was soon replaced with concern. She gasped. Oh my! What’s wrong Stella? Two curious groundhogs asked. Cecil and Ethel! She replied. Who are Cecil and Ethel? They’re turtles, Stella answered. They were on their way to warn you all. They’ve never made it to the gala on time, Stella fretted.
They will this year! Not to worry my dear, we’ll go get them, one of the groundhogs assured.
Stella basked in her shining moment. She ate and socialized; absorbing her time of long awaited acceptance. She barely took time to chew as she chatted non stop with her newfound forest friends.
The animals hovered around their heroic guest of honor as Stella looked toward the edge of the forest where she spotted the two groundhogs nudging Cecil and Ethel along the path. Their heads securely tucked inside their shells, they rolled toward the clearing like bowling balls. The turtles shrieked with excitement as though they were on a rollercoaster ride. Weeeeee!!!! Stella laughed.
Cecil and Ethel landed directly in front of Stella, poking their heads from their shells. That was fun, let’s do it again! Cecil exclaimed.
You two finally made it! Stella jumped for joy. Yeah, now we’ve got to figure out how to get back home, Cecil replied. By the time we get back it’ll be time for next year’s gala, Ethel laughed.
Stella jumped and played all afternoon. Her new friends finally had a better understanding of her; they soon realized that Stella wasn’t bad at all; in fact they found that she was no different from them. She had hopes, fears and feelings, just like them.
Just as every season serves a purpose, everyone serves their own purpose on this big, beautiful planet. On this particular lovely spring afternoon the forest denizens learned a lesson from Stella the skunk.
In their rush to judgment, they learned that their fears had been based on what they’d heard. They assumed something without ever once taking time to find the facts first hand.
They learned that being a little different is nothing to fear…unless you happen to be three party crashing wolves.
copyright Pontchartrain Press 2010
