The Golden We

The forest twinkled with Prince Autumn’s yellows, oranges and reds. Chipmunk knew King Winter was coming soon.

So, when Father Sun by day and Sister Moon by night lit the forest, Chipmunk collected seeds, scuttling here and there and everywhere.

She was proud of her seeds, and she was protective of her seeds. Some seeds she nibbled and some seeds she hid. Some seeds she tucked deep in her nest inside Grandfather Tree.

Chipmunk loved Mother Earth who shared the seeds with her. To show how grateful she was, Chipmunk sang “The Song of Thankfulness.”

Mother Earth, I thank thee

For growing this seed

To feed The Golden We

There was a flurry of other animals in the forest collecting seeds as well. One morning when Father Sun was rising, Rabbit hopped by.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside could be some seeds for me.”

“Oh, but Rabbit, your ears are too furry to fit inside this tree, and you would hope away with all of my seeds.”

Rabbit twitched his furry ears and hopped away. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail. She then sat very still and was grateful.

When Father Sun was high in the sky, Bird flew by.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside could be some seeds for me.”

“Oh, but Bird, your wings are too wide to fit inside this tree, and you would fly away with all of my seeds.”

Bird fluttered her wide wings and flew away. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail. She then sat very still and was grateful.

When Father Sun was setting, Mouse scurried by.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside could be some seeds for me.”

“Oh, but Mouse, your tail is too long to fit inside this tree, and you would scurry away with all of my seeds.”

Mouse flicked his long tail and scurried away. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail. She then sat very still and was grateful.

With night’s arrival, Sister Moon rose into the sky and Chipmunk scuttled from Grandfather Tree to collect some seeds.

Mother Earth, I thank thee

For growing this seed

To feed The Golden We

It was then that Grandmother Wind swept through the moonlit autumn forest, her whisper echoing for all to hear.

“Animals of the forest, big and small

The Golden Wee is one and all

Hungry you are for seeds this night

A feast to eat in Sister Moon’s light …”

The forest swelled with Grandmother Wind’s whisper. Chipmunk’s heart swelled too, and she knew what to do. More seeds she looked for to place in a circle upon the forest floor. Seeds for Rabbit, seeds for Bird, seeds for Mouse, seeds too for others who might be hungry in the night, and seeds for Chipmunk herself.

Chipmunk waited and watched. And from the forest the animals appeared, one and all, from far and near, those Chipmunk had met, and those not yet. Rabbit twitched his furry ears. Bird fluttered her wide wings. Mouse flicked his long tail. Teensy Mouse wiggled her long whiskers. Brown Bunny shimmied his white tail. Wee Bird flickered her small feathers. Little Chipmunk blinked his black eyes. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail.

Upon Mother Earth, with Grandmother Wind, and beside Grandfather Tree, The Golden We shared a feast of seeds in Sister Moon’s light. And together they sang “The Song of Thankfulness.”

Mother Earth, I thank thee

For growing this seed

To feed The Golden We

The crisp chill of night was seeping in. The animals were becoming cold and sleepy, and they were far from their nests. Chipmunk looked at the animals and at Grandfather Tree.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside we can all fit to sleep this eve.”

And so inside Grandfather Tree, Rabbit and Brown Bunny hopped. Bird and Wee Bird flew. Little Chipmunk scuttled. Mouse scurried. And Teensy Mouse scurried too.

Chipmunk sat very still and was grateful. She then scuttled inside Grandfather Tree and curled up to sleep with The Golden We.

THE END.

Well, maybe not.

This is a puppet play I wrote and performed for a class of Waldorf preschoolers, and that I also illustrated for the book edition. Thanks for reading, and for considering a clicked heart, comment, Pledge and Tip if you so choose. See more of my writing and info about me here: Jessica Amber Barnum If you would like to purchase the book edition of The Golden We (as well as the Spanish edition titled El Dorado Nosotros), go to Lulu Press, Inc. HERE.