Stumpy's Close Call May 2014 | Page 20

The excitement from the rest of the day occupied his thoughts for a short while longer, and soon he was fast asleep. Stumpy was awakened the next morning by a ray of sunshine that crept through an opening near the top of the stump. He stood up, stretched, and realized that Buck wasn’t in the stump. He went outside to welcome the day and saw Buck sitting on the edge of the stream, nibbling a piece of willow tree. “Good morning Buck!” Stumpy cried out. “Well good morning!” responded Buck. “I just came out to enjoy the weather and have a little breakfast. Would you like some?” “Oh sure,” said Stumpy. “When do you want to head upstream to my lodge?” 20