Stumpy's Close Call May 2014 | Page 19

Chapter 5: The Way Home That night Buck and Stumpy stayed in the rotted out tree stump. By the time they would have felt safe enough to go out it was already late and very dark outside, and beavers do not like the dark. Stumpy and Buck are no exceptions to this rule. Stumpy gathered together a few twigs and leaves that he found just outside the stump and he made himself a bed. His bed turned out to be quite comfortable, even though he wished he were in his own bed back at the lodge. But at least he was safe. The soft sound of a gentle breeze outside comforted Stumpy, and the rustle of leaves, with the occasional owl hoot, made him feel right at home. He was glad that he met Buck and hoped that he would be able to see him even after he went back home. He realized that he didn’t hear Buck’s story and wondered where he had come from and what adventures he had been through. 19