Bongo and the Hot Air Balloon
Four cats sat on a rail. The first cat was really only thinking aloud when she said “I’m getting kind of bored sitting here on this rail. We should go looking for something more interesting to do in the garden. If you all won’t go with me, I’ll go by myself.”
“Wait! Let me go too! Let’s have an ADVENTURE!!! Maybe we can find a mousie!”
“Hold up! We ALL want to go on a adventure!! Maybe we could to into the woods!!!”
So off the four adventurers went into the woods. The leader was quite brave and did not mind all of the strange sounds, but the little cat in the back was not quite as brave and was getting really scairt of all of the new sounds and smells. He was walking with his eyes half open and bumped into all of the kitties in front of him, who had all stopped because up ahead of them they saw an opening in the woods where there were lots of beautiful flowers growing. There were bees buzzing and butterflies fluttering and birdies chirping.
All four ran towards the flowers, ’cept the little one in the back who was still a little afraid, so he walked slowly and realized that the other cats were getting way far ahead, chasing all the butterflies.
The little cat wasn’t sure where the other cats were so he ran as fast as his paws would carry him trying to catch up with his friends when he sat down to get his bearings. While the little cat was consulting his compass, the other cats got farther and farther away!
“Oh no, what will I do to find my friends?” he cried out. The little cat began softly sobbing, for he was still young and easily frightened. Then, he heard a rustling, right behind him! What could it be? The little cat trembled a little, then he saw a brindle-colored puppy!
“Well hello, little cat! My name is Oz. What’s your name, and why are you crying?”
“Hello, Oz. My name is Bongo. I could not keep up with my three friends and now I have gone and gotten lost. Can you help me, Oz?”
“I certainly can,” he replied. “For I am like the Wizard of Oz.” I can help you find your friends. My hot air balloon is right over there, by the woods.”
“I’ve always wanted to take a balloon ride!” squeaked the little Bongo.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” replied the brindled Oz.
Little Bongo had never, ever set eyes on a hot air balloon! It was so big! Bongo felt scared but knew this might be his only chance for finding his friends.
“How does this work?” he asked Oz.
“Don’t worry – just hop in and think of your friends, I’ll do the rest!”
So Bongo followed Oz to the hot air balloon.
When they got there, he saw that there were a couple of other passengers. One was a flaming red little squirrel who said his name was Frenchie and the other was a toad called Poe. They were both lost too and needed help finding their bearings. They all climbed in and slowly the balloon rose up into the air.
Frenchie was looking for his parents. The last time he saw them they were in an oak tree looking for acorns. He got bored gathering nuts and wondered off, and then he got scared by a scary noise and ran really fast zig zagging this way then that until he couldn’t remember if the oak tree was in front of him or behind him or, well you get the idea. He was running around aimlessly when he ran smack into Oz, who offered to help.
Bongo thought with my good eye sight I bet I can spot the oak tree his parents are in and so he offered to help. He was leaning way over the side of the basket to get the best view possible when suddenly the balloon started to sink and it looked like they might hit the ground very hard. They all were scared, but things suddenly took a turn for the better because a big wind came up and blew them back up higher in the sky.
As the balloon rose, they could see the entire garden. As Bongo looked, he saw a big oak tree and two sad looking flaming red squirrels. He knew right away that they must be Frenchie’s parents, but he didn’t know how to signal them so he did something desperate, he sunk his little claws into Oz and that made Oz start barking like a fool! The sad looking flaming red squirrles starting chattering immediately.
Meanwhile, not so very far away, three cats said “This is fun! Right, Bongo?”
The three cats didn’t hear a response from Bongo and looked around, thinking he was lost in his own thoughts, as usual, but he was no where to be found. They were immediately concerned because their little brother was very special to them. They began retracing their steps when they heard a noise above them.
The three cats looked up to see a big hot air balloon above them, with Bongo waving excitedly and shouting “Here I am! I was lost, but my new friend Oz helped me find you!”
Oz found a clearing to land the balloon. Mr. and Mrs. Flaming Red Squirrel and the three cats scurried over to greet them. They indroduced themselves to Oz and they each thanked him repeatedly for reuniting them.
Just then Oz looked over to see poor Poe the Toad, sitting on a rope in the basket of the balloon looking rather sad and forelorn. Oz remembered that he still had to see that Poe got home. He hastily made his apologies to the group, promising to come for a visit soon.
The new-found friends all watched with wonder as the colorful balloon lazily made its way back up into the sky. Bongo was a bit sad to see his new friend Oz leave, but he understood that Oz had to be off onto his next adventure!
THE END
Thanks to all of this week’s Contributing Authors:
Cory