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FEZA THE FOREST RAT

By

Diana L. Fuller

807 words















                                                                                  Diana L. Fuller  
                                                                                                [email protected] 
                                                                                                586 Severn Ct., POB 116                    
                                                                                                Kingsford Hts., IN 46346
                                                                                                219-393-5641
                                                                                  

Feza the Forest Rat

     The African Rainforest was alive with excitement. The rainy season was over. Wildlife scampered everywhere. The forest was always busy, but this day, someone near the bottom was creating quite a commotion. 
     Canopy dwellers descended to see what was causing the noise. 
     "Is that smoke?" sniffed the Congo Sunbird.
     "Are they cutting down our trees?" squawked the African Grey Parrot.
     "No," cheered the Black-collared Lovebird. He pointed to the base of the Great Mahogany Tree.  "Look, over there." 
     The others turned and spotted Feza, an African Pouched Rat. She scurried through the moss and ferns. "Out of my way. I found them. Out of my way," she squealed.
    Suddenly Feza stopped. An army of carpenter ants was blocking her way. "Good morning," said the leader. "We were collecting aphid honeydew when we heard the clamor. We have pails. Can we help?" 
     "Yes," screamed Feza. "Get out of my way. I found rare berries. I am heading home for a cart. I must have them all."
     "As you wish,� sighed the ant. He clicked his heels, tipped his hardhat and ordered the others out of Feza's way.
      "Out of my way. I found some. Out of my way," Feza continued.  Something swooped overhead and landed in front of her. An Egyptian Fruit Bat was blocking her way.
    "Good morning,� yawned the bat. I heard the ruckus. I foraged all night for wild dates.  My basket isn't full.  Can I help?"
     "Yes," screamed Feza. "Get out of my way. I found rare berries. I am heading home for a cart. I must have them all."
     "As you wish," gasped the fruit bat. She breathed deeply, flapped her wings twice and flew out of Feza's way.
     Feza was tired. She, too, was out all night hunting food and treasures. "Out of my way. I found some. Out of my way," she panted. 
     Feza didn't notice a forest vine swooshing past. Something landed on the path before her. An African Bonobo was blocking her way.
     "Good morning," greeted the chimpanzee.  I heard you huffing and puffing. I have a strong back and empty hands. Can I help?"
    "Yes," squeaked Feza. "Get out of my way. I found rare berries. I am heading home for a cart. I must have them all."   
     "As you wish," said the bonobo. He winked, scurried up the vine and disappeared into the rainforest.
     Feza was exhausted when she arrived at her burrow. Her cart was full of palm nuts. "I will rest a few minutes before I unload it," she murmured. "Then I will go."
     It was cozy and warm inside Feza's nest. Her grass mat was inviting. "Just a few minutes," she reminded herself.  Before she realized it, Feza was falling asleep on her soft, comfortable bed.
      The scratching of a Long-footed Shrew awakened Feza. "The berries," she yelled. It was dark. Feza had slept all day. She wouldn't unload the cart. She would use her pouches to collect the berries.   
     Feza returned to the Great Mahogany Tree. The berries were gone.  If only she hadn't slept. If only she had accepted help from the forest friends. 
     Feza thought of the berries all the way home. There would be no cobbler, preserves or tarts.  Hungry, she grabbed a palm nut on her way inside. 
     After a while, there was a knock on Feza's door. She opened it and saw the carpenter ant, the fruit bat, and the bonobo. 
      "Remember me?" asked the ant leader. I'm Kantu. We all worked together and collected a cart full of berries. Please accept this gift."
     "Hello, again," giggled the fruit bat. I'm Benesha.  I baked you this red berry tart. I hope you like it."
     "Hello," winked the bonobo. "I'm Bondeko. Let me share a secret with you. The berries you seek are only rare on the forest floor. They grow in abundance where I live. When you visit me, you can have as many berries as you want."
     Feza started to cry. She accepted the gifts from her new friends. She was rude to them, yet they treated her with kindness.
     She introduced herself. "I'm Feza. I'm sorry. I wasn't very nice.  I have filled my nest with many great treasures, but tonight I found the best treasure of all. I found three new friends."
     Feza invited them to stay. They spent the rest of the night getting to know each other and listening to the song of the Leaf-mimicking Katydid. They shared stories, planned outings and feasted on red berry tart. They didn't notice the canopy dwellers celebrating high above.
     "What a beautiful night," chirped the sunbird.
     "I think they will be friends for a very long time," warbled the parrot.
     "Yes, what a happy ending," cooed the lovebird.
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