Robin, Worm, Crow, Vole, and Raccoon - More Trouble?

Robin was the next to join in. She began chanting, “Praise Mystery!” in counterpoint to Francis. Bear was beginning to get caught up in the spirit; he forgot his earlier shame and began dancing in circles throwing his front paws in the air as he turned. Worm began to glow again. He joined in the song:

“Praise to Mystery
Praise to The One.”

“Praise to Mystery
Praise to the Sun.”

Now the gathered critters began, one by one, to dance and sing. The whole scene became rather raucous. Francis, lying on the grass, continued singing at the top of his lungs. The celebration raved on, until without warning there was a snapping sound of a stick cracking under the foot of a hu-man. All stopped, frozen with ears tuned to the woods. “Another hunter?”

(to be continued)