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Chap. 2 of Betty Bimble % The Golden Thimble (fairytale)
Chapter 2
The day was sunny and warm. Betty had been walking for about two hours when she reached the bottom of Needle Mountain. It was a very pretty spot of land. A small brook was pleasantly babbling its way down from the mountain following along side the road. Betty spotted the path that would lead up the mountain.
Next to the path and the brook was an oak tree of incredible height. It was standing so tall that Betty could barely see the top of the tree. The spot was shady and cool and looked like a good place to sit and take a rest before heading up the mountain.
Below the majestic oak, there were squirrels and chipmunks scurrying about collecting acorns. Chattering back and forth, the squirrels and chipmunks tried picking up as many acorns as they could. Betty was giggling to herself and enjoying the show as she watched them pop yet another into their already full mouths and run off to secret away their nutty treasures. Occasionally one or the other would engage in chasing off the opposite. It was quite the spectacle and it went on for a good half an hour or so.
While she was watching, Betty snacked on a delicious apple that had been packed in her lunch basket. She finished the apple and went to the brook. There she splashed the water on her face and hands washing the stickiness off left behind from her snack. She then cupped her hands and used them to get a long drink of the refreshingly cold water. She now felt refreshed and ready for the long climb ahead of her. Standing up she stretched and then turned and started up the mountain path.
It was mid morning and the day was warming up. The sun felt hot on Betty's shoulders and head. She stopped for a moment and reached into her basket for her sun bonnet, one she had made herself. It was pink checkered and looked very nice as it matched her pink checkered dress. Once her bonnet was securely tied over her blonde locks of hair she started on her journey again.
Through fields and woods she traveled. She saw deer, foxes, chipmunks, squirrels, and many kinds of birds. They too, were chattering amongst the trees and plant life of the forest. She smelled the many scents of nature, wild flowers and pine trees. None of the animals ran away as she approached, they would stop and watch her as she passed. They seemed to sense that she would not harm them.
Onward and upward she walked. She looked up into the bright blue sky and saw that the sun was now approaching its pinnacle. "Well, it must be getting close to lunch. I know I'm hungry” Betty spoke out loud. Hearing the sounds of water cascading over rocks coming from the left through the trees she decided to search it out. It would make a nice spot for her to enjoy her lunch. So Betty veered off from the mountain path and followed the sounds of water. Sure enough she came to the creek, and it was a small waterfall. The sunlight was beaming down and reflecting off the water making it sparkly and pretty. She picked out a shady spot of land surrounded by wildflowers and wild grasses. This is where she would enjoy her lunch.
Betty took of her shoes and socks and walked over to the edge of the creek. To her left below the waterfall was a small pool of water. She set herself down on a flat rock by the pool’s edge and let her feet hang down into the water.
"AAHH that feels so nice" said Betty. There were birds chirping and singing and Betty was enjoying the natural splendor surrounding her. As she splashed her feet in the cool water she spotted fish. Their pearl like scales caught the sunlight and reflected back all the colors of the rainbow. The fish were intent on studying Betty as well. A few of them swam over and were darting in and out of her dangling feet. Their fins were tickling Betty's ankles and toes. Betty laughed every time they swam up against her feet and toes.
"Well, fishes. I would love to stay here all day but I am hungry and I have a quest to fulfill. So I am going to eat my lunch now." She got up from the rock and went back to where she had left her belongings.
Upon unpacking her lunch basket she found that her parents had put in a small quilt for her to sit upon. She laid that out over the grass. Next, she found a canteen full of refreshing and cool grape juice.
"Hum, yummy." Betty exclaimed.
She then reached in and pulled out her favorite sandwich, thick sliced homemade bread with her mother’s homemade strawberry jam. Peeking into her basket again Betty also saw that her parents had also packed some sliced cheese and pears for desert.
Betty was talking to herself "Oh my, Mommy and Daddy are so good to me. All of my favorite foods on such a glorious day in such a beautiful spot. What a wonderful day this is!” Betty unwrapped all of her sandwich and then took her first bite.
"Quite curious that a beautiful young girl, all alone in the woods and talking to herself."
Betty looked up upon hearing someone speaking. Her eyes were as big as saucers and her face was showing a puzzled look.
"Who's there?" Betty asked.
Betty heard a twig snap from behind her and she turned towards the noise. All she saw was an owl sitting on a fallen tree limb. The owl was very big, bigger than any Betty had seen anyway. His colors were tan and cream. His head was tilted to the left and his golden eyes were studying Betty. Betty shook her head and asked again.
"Who's there please?" Betty then asked.
The owl ruffled his feathers and spoke.” It is I, Wise Old Owl of Needle Mountain."
Betty took in a deep breath almost choking on the mouthful of sandwich. She was astonished as an owl had just spoken perfect English to her. This was most amazing! She thought it might be a trick. Maybe someone was hiding in the bushes and pretending to make the owl speak. Betty stood up and walked a few steps behind the owl looked in to the bushes. The owl's head swiveled around and followed her.
"What are you looking for young lady?" Betty looked at the owl and still could not believe her eyes or ears.
“How are you doing that?"
The owl ruffled his feathers and then took a few steps closer to Betty.
The owl answered her, "How am I doing what?"
Betty then said.
"That. I have never seen an owl talk before. How, how, how did you learn to speak?"
The owl looked quite befuddled by this question.
"Well, I am Wise Old Owl. I have been living on this mountain for many years and I have learned many things."
He preened and strutted about on the limb.
Betty did not know any such thing existed.
"A Talking Owl, well, I'll be snickered.” She said. “I apologize if I have insulted you Wise Old Owl; I just did not know that animals could talk."
Wise Old Owl considered her words for a few moments as if deciding whether to be insulted or tolerant of this beautiful girl. He decided to be tolerant.
"Excuse me for asking young lady, but what is your name?"
Betty, became quite embarrassed as she had not yet introduced herself, her face flushed crimson. "Excuse me, I am sorry. My name is Betty Bimble. I have traveled from Thimbleville and I am seeking the Golden Thimble that has been missing from our little town for many years."
The owl's face seemed to light up and Betty could have sworn that he had smiled, if it was possible for an owl to smile. Wise Old Owl spread his wings and took off up into the sky and flew about a few times letting out several hoots. He then swooped down and landed once again on the tree limb.
"Oh my, oh my! I am sorry for getting so excited. The guardian has told me that someone may be coming soon for the thimble. I just never imagined it would be a young lady such as your self. This is good news indeed."
The owl had got himself into such a state of excitement that Betty could not help but to laugh a little. The entire situation was quite amusing. Firstly, an owl should be able to talk with her. Then secondly the same owl that at first seemed very pompous and proper got itself all worked up when she mentioned the Golden Thimble. Betty studied the owl for a moment and then said:
"There, there Mr. Wise Old Owl. Take it easy. Can you tell me where I might find the Golden Thimble?"
The owl bobbed his head up and down no less than four times each way. He then answered.
“Tell you. Oh heavens no. I have been given very strict instructions to escort you to the thimble myself. It is a bit of a hike further up the mountain.
Perhaps you would like to finish your lunch first."
The owl stretched his neck and hungrily looked down upon Betty's lunch which had been forgotten on the quilt.
"My, but you do have a bit food there. Would you be so kind to share with me? I have not had much luck with hunting my lunch today."
Betty smiled at the owl and replied, "Oh certainly Wise Old Owl I would be honored if you join me."
She bent over at the waist and gave a bow and then waved her arm with a flourish as she invited the owl to join her on the quilt. The owl flew off the tree limb and gracefully landed on the quilt.
He proceeded to inspect the remains of Betty's lunch. Strutting about and turning his head this way and that, he asked if she might have any freshly killed mice lying about. Betty's head came up quick with a puzzled look on her face.
"No, Mr. Owl I am sorry I do not. I do not eat mice. But I do have some nice cheese and pears if you're interested.”
Wise Old Owl thought for a minute and then replied, "I usually prefer warm blooded mammals but I suppose some cheese and fruit might make a nice change.
Betty handed a slice of pear to him and the owl gingerly moved towards her fingers. He tasted it once, then twice and then he gently removed it from her hand and gulped it down.
“Yes, that is quite tasty. Might I try some cheese now?"
Betty giggled, and handed him some of her cheese. She thought to herself; if only mother and father could see me now. Sitting here in the forest, enjoying the delicious lunch they packed for me and sharing it with a talking owl. Wonders will never cease.
They had finished the remains of Betty's lunch and Betty walked back to the creek to wash up. She rinsed out the jug that had the grape juice in it and then refilled it with water from the creek. She might get thirsty again on her journey. Betty then returned to the quilt, put her stockings and shoes back on her feet and began to pack up her basket.
Wise Old Owl was preening himself after his lunch. He flew off the quilt and landed once again on the tree limb and preened some more while he waited for Betty. Betty picked up her sandwich wrappings, jug of water and the quilt and placed them in her basket.
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"The woods are lovely, dark and deep and I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep"
Robert Frost
and I too have miles to go before I sleep
C J Herlihy
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