Bernard
Once upon a time a family of porcupines was walking through the forest. Silvia the mom came across a small, brown, ball of fur. It appeared to be a baby porcupine. The family did not know what to do, there was no mother around. Robin the eldest child said, “Why don’t we take the little guy home and warm him up and feed him?” Then, little boy, Sylvester excitedly claimed, “then, tomorrow we can find his mom!” Frank, the father decided to agree with the children and that was the final word. Only the next day came and they did not look for the fur ball’s parents instead they named him. He became Bernard the fur ball. Soon a whole year had gone by. After a whole year and everybody forgot Bernard was adopted. Silvia and Frank began to raise him on their own.
When Bernard turned five he realized he was not maturing. His fluffy hair was turning into a silky coat instead of porcupine quills. He kept denying he was different saying he was just a late bloomer. Days pasted. Then weeks. Silvia and frank were getting worried. Bernard was on the verge of his seventh birthday when he accepted the fact he was different. Bernard was special.
Bernard took a day to work up his courage and get his things packed away. Then, he told his mother what he had to do. She told him the story of his childhood and He happily set off in the direction of the woods hoping to find his true mother. Soon he arrived at the edge of the woods. Scared as could be, Bernard walked on into the dark mysterious forest. He knew after six years his mom very well may have moved away so he started looking around for anyone, any body at all that might have known his Mom. He soon came across a herd of grazing deer. Then, stumbled up to the nearest Doe. Bernard introduced himself as “Bernard the porcupine” and the Doe let out a cheerful laugh “ I am Sally, a doe and that is the silliest name I have ever heard.”
“Why?” asked Bernard
“Because” said Sally “you are a Hedgehog.” She directed him over to a nearby puddle and showed him his reflection. “Well thank you, I did not know,” replied Bernard. Then He told Sally his story and she said She had heard of a hedgehog looking for her baby over in the North Region, a beautiful place full of wild flowers and plenty of food but, over a day’s journey. Bernard knew he had to go. He decided to set camp for the night and leave first thing in the morning.
The next day Bernard set off following a well-worn dirt road with a map from Sally. He passed four of the twelve landmarks before sitting down for lunch at the Bizzlehazzle Lake. A nearby frog leaped to his side and said “hello I am Jacky-Joe, I am trying to get to the North Region for a life of peace and happiness. Where are you headed?”
“I am on my way to the North Region, myself.” replied Bernard
“Lets travel together!” they said in harmony. The rest of the day went pleasantly. Bernard and Jacky-Joe set camp after they counted four more landmarks. They fell asleep in seconds.
They where happily sleeping when they awoke to an owl hoot, hoot, hooting at them. They quickly scrambled for cover but it was too late, the owl had spotted them. Bernard and Jacky-Joe climbed into an abandoned rodent hole and waited for the owl to pass. The owl tried and tried to grasp the hiding food, but his talons came out empty time and again until the stubborn owl gave up. Bernard and Jacky-Joe were victorious.
Bernard and Jacky-Joe decided to start traveling early instead of returning camp. With a half-day’s travel ahead they began walking packs on their shoulders. The seconds were unbearable. Bernard was so excited and Jacky-Joe could not wait to see his new home. They practically ran to the North Region. They arrived in no time. When they reached the city gates Bernard was heart broken there were billions of animals rushing about to do what they needed to do. Jacky-Joe said his house could wait a day and decided to help Bernard. “Lets go to the county hall to see where she could be. Maybe they have a picture.” said Jacky-Joe. Once at the County hall they found his mother was the receptionist. She had the same twinkling eyes. Her desk plate read ‘Shelby Frusher’. Shelby and Bernard embraced. They were happy as could be. Jacky-Joe was welcomed into Shelby and Bernard’s home. They were all happy as could be and Bernard learned the amazing lesson of being persistent and accepting your self. He then went on learning about life untill his adult years when he moved back to porcupine village and write myths about accepting your self.
