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MEADOW-WOOD Lane -
Old Heavenly and the Golden Secret
Childrens Book by A.W.J.Bell
Picture 1 Tommy Cottonwood jumping out of bed pulling back the curtains and talking to Fluffy Bun
It was Saturday morning in MEADOW-WOOD Lane ; Tommy Cottonwood had just jumped out of bed to see if there was any change in the weather. What a beautiful morning he said, talking to his pet Rabbit Fluffy Bun. What a pleasant sight to see the sun shinning, Tommy Cottonwood thought as he pulled back the curtains of his bedroom window. For the past six days the weather had been appalling. The Blustery North wind had been blowing strong through MEADOW-WOOD valley and had brought about 6 days of torrential rain. No one had been able to set foot outside in all that time.
Picture 2 Tommy Cottonwood pulling the whistle and the old oak stump everyone gathering at the stump
I think that I will call a meeting at the old Oak Stump thought Tommy Cottonwood, to see if anyone would like to come and have a picnic on this fine sunny day. The Old Oak stump was located in the middle of the Town Square 200 yds from the Hot Spring Whistle.
Tommy Cottonwood pulled the cord that blew the whistle. "Whoo!" "Whoo!", Whoo,oo,oo! The whistle blew loud! Everyone knew the sound of the Hot Spring Whistle. Whenever the Whistle sounded in Meadow-wood Lane everyone stopped to listen. There were two main signals, the first, was a call to Meeting to discuss something important or an up and coming event. The Calling signal was two short blasts and one long continuous blast on the Hot Spring Whistle. That was the signal for everyone to gather at the great Oak Stump. MEADOW-WOOD Lane also had a Danger Alert. which was one continuous whistle. Luckily that sound has never been heard in MEADOW-WOOD Lane .
Picture 3 - The hot spring whistle and the Roody River with mountains at the back
The great Hot Spring Whistle was a marvelous freak of nature. This deafening release of sound was only possible due to the tremendous build-up of pressure deep underground in the hot spring that flowed directly underneath MEADOW-WOOD Lane . The hot spring was one of the main focal points in MEADOW-WOOD Lane . The Hot Spring was located at the Northern most point of Main Street in an alcove in the Mountain side, only 10 feet from the fast flowing Roody River . This explained the reason why the river water flowing through MEADOW-WOOD Lane was so lovely and warm throughout the Year.
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Author's notes: Did you know that when a hot spring releases the build up of pressure it sometimes shoots a jet of water out from an opening in its cone. This thamendious release of water is called a Geezer and are famous in Yellowstone National Park
Picture 4 - Tommy Cottonwood addressing everyone that had gathered at the oak stump
Thank you all for coming Tommy Cottonwood said in a clear voice. Oliver Pine, Johnny Oakwood, Margoree Maple and Monty Hemlock stood at the back of the group. On the ground sat Fernando Fern, with Molly Mushroom, The Branch Twins, Big Mamma Hen, and Woody Woodpigeon.
It is so nice to be able to get outside in the fresh air again said Tommy Cottonwood The Stormy weather nearly had me pulling my leaves out! "Ha" "Ha", everyone was cheering and clapping their hands in agreement with Tommy Cottonwood. Everyone felt the same way, and were all glad the storm was finally over. They all knew how dangerous it was to be out and about in the forest during a blustery storm.
I would like to invite all of you, my friends and family Trees, to a Picnic Party at Rainbow falls! said Tommy Cottonwood.
That's a great idea said Johnny Oakwood, what a beautiful spot to have a picnic. Everyone gathered their picnic baskets together, filling them with delicious Fruits, Berries, Pineneedles and Nuts, anything that they could find lying around the forest. Are we all ready then shouted Tommy Cottonwood, enthusiastically, as he pulled out his walking stick from within his branches. Leading the way, they all began to walk up to Rainbow Falls .
Picture 5 - Rainbow falls and mountain scene
Rainbow Falls was the only waterfall in Meadowood Lane . With a water drop of 65 feet it was a beautiful spectacle of the natural forces of nature. Rainbow Falls cascaded down the mountain face and ran into an ancient River Bed. This ancient river bed had remained one of MEADOW-WOOD Lane 's well kept secrets for Millions of years. The waters from Rainbow Falls were responsible for carving and shaping MEADOW-WOOD Lane into what it is today.
Author's notes: Did you know that .
Picture 6 - Group walking up path and beautiful forest scene with animals, flowers and insects buzzing about
They began to walk up the 2 miles path to Rainbow falls. It was a steep climb and there were a few obstacles to cross on the way. The forest is so lovely and bright today said Molly Mushroom as she glanced up at the clear blue sky. The Forest was buzzing with activity. All different kinds of animals, insects and plants were going about their daily business. The flowers were blooming in an abundance of vibrant colours Red, Purple, Yellow and Blue, with pollen pods bursting with honey dew yellow powder. The flowers one sole purpose in life was to attract as many bees and insects as possible.
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Author's notes: Did you know that .
Picture 7 Flowers and bees pollinating forest scene
DOUBLE PAGE PICTURE
Why do flowers like to attract bees and insects? asked Woody Woodpigeon when most of us can not stand their buzzing and interference
The flowers and plants need the help of the bees and insects to pollinate and reproduce. What doses pollinate mean? Woody Woodpigeon asked scratching his head?
Its quite simple really said Johnny Oakwood; you see the bees, insects feed on the sticky sweet nectar that the plants provide. And the plants need the bees and insects to carry the pollen that sticks to the fine hairs on their legs and face. The pollen is then deposited when the bee or insect visit different plants and flowers. The Pollen is the male plants seed that is required for the mummy flowers to produce fertile seeds that make baby flowers. Plants and Insects depend on each other to provide the necessary elements of life.
Picture 8 - Oliver Pine pointing to the rainbow and singing group standing with smiling faces
Why "Look a Rainbow shouted Oliver Pine. What a beautiful sight as they all stopped to look. The Rainbows colours were so vibrantly bright. Oliver Pine stood pointing, with his arm stretched open; as he started to sing. Red, and Yellow, Pink and Blue, Orange, Purple and Green I can Sing a Rainbow, Sing a Rainbow, Sing a Rainbow too!
I have never seen anything quite so beautiful said Fernando Fern. The colours glistened as the rainbow touched the mouth of the waterfall on its way to the bottom of Rainbow falls. I wonder if that is how Rainbow Falls got its Name, Said Molly Mushroom with a gratifying smile on her face. "They say that there is a pot of gold waiting for you at the end of a Rainbow!"
You don't believe that do you? Said Johnny Oakwood with a puzzled, but excited look on his face. You never know what treasures lie beneath the forest in MEADOW-WOOD Lane said Big Mammy Hen.
Picture 9 - Roody River and Billy Beaver's dam everyone looking on
As they crossed the River Oliver Pine noticed a large pile of sticks and logs that was damming up part of the river. What is that? Oliver Pine said to Johnny Oakwood? Its Billy Beaver he is damming up the River again! He is always moving home said Johnny Oakwood. He does not seem to be content to stay in any one place. One thing for sure is that he certainly knows how to choose a beautiful spot in the forest for his home.
Picture 10 - The Big Bang and dust cloud rising into the air Group worried look on there faces
Not far to go now said Elmer Fud in a reassuring voice. All of a sudden there was an almighty Bang! And Crashing Sound! Coming from the clearing at the foot of Rainbow falls. Everyone stood rooted to the spot, mouth opened wide. What on earth could that have been said Johnny Oakwood? Looking ahead they saw a large cloud of dust rising into the air. The dust cloud blocking out the colors of the Rainbow for a few seconds.
Picture 11 Group approaching see Old Heavenly crashed down broken in two
Johnny Oakwood and the gang approached with caution not knowing what to expect.
Look its the" Old Heavenly Hotel" The Oak Tree, it has finally fallen. The 100 foot Great Seder Oak tree had been dead for many years its legacy was famous throughout MEADOW-WOOD Lane . The Rainbows End seemed to glisten and fade away as it fell on the uprooted tree stump. "Old Heavenly Hotel" grew to a rip old age of 1600 rings and wade around 150 tons.
The heavy rain fall over the last six days must have washed through its dead roots and loosen the gravely foundations that was holding it up.
Author's notes: Did you know that when a tree dies naturally and falls crumbling to the ground they are called nurse trees and are the key to new growth in the forest. They are arguably more alive than a standing one, as so much of its mass is taken up by other organisms.
Picture 12 - Oliver Pine addressing the Group seeing all the different homes and openings in the dead tree
If Old Heavenly were still alive today I wonder what stories she could tell? Oliver Pine said looking at her large broken trunk and branches on the ground.
Their was gaping holes of every shape and size up and down the full length of "Old Hevenly's " trunk and branches. Over 60 different homes and shelters Oliver Pine counted. Looking at the holes and openings in Old Heavenly Hotel's thick grey bark Oliver Pine said "even in death she continued to give home and shelter to so many animals and insects of the forest"; she really was a Heavenly Hotel. Within her branches there is so much history so much of what we are all searching for too know. Everyone stood in silence, looking at their fallen hero.
Picture 13 - Water Running through Old Heavenly upturned roots
The falling of "Old Heavenly Hotel" had temporary altered the flow of water from the base of Rainbow Falls as one of her branches crashed onto the Roody River . The rushing water washed through "Old Heavenly Hotel" upturned roots revealing sediments and rounded stones from the ancient Riverbed that had been hidden in secret, but once ran through MEADOW-WOOD Lane .
Picture 14 - Johnny discovers the Golden Harvest
Rubbing his eyes Johnny Oakwood could see bright yellow Golden Rock Chips just shining beneath the stony gravel of the Ancient Riverbed. Picking one up in his hand looking closely he shouted IT'S GOLD GOLD Look Everyone! IT'S GOLD!
We are all Rich said Fernando Fern! Everyone started to dig down into the lose gravel pulling up handfuls of gold chips. Smiling and dancing they could not believe what they saw! The Rainbow has surly delivered her pot of gold! Molly Mushroom said with that gratifying smile on her face. .
Authors notes:
Gold is deposited in the ancient riverbed
Picture 1 - Oliver & Johnny Walking with sticks scarf, on a county road City in the far distance background forest in foreground. Sign that say Meadow wood lane 2 miles
Home at last said Johnny Oakwood, What and adventure, we need to call an urgent meeting to discuss what to do with all our Gold. He ran over to the great hot spring and blew the Whistle! Immediately everyone came running and gathered at the Old Oak stump and listened in detail to the treasure discovered beneath Old Heavenly Hotel. Everyone listened with open ears and thinking of what they could do with their share of the Golden Harvest.
Picture 15 Billy Beaver holding up a piece of Golden Harvest and addressing the meeting
This Golden harvest is not our salvation, but our destruction shouted a voice from the back of the group. It was Billy Beaver, the house builder. Once news of this Gold reaches our nabours the "human outsiders" there will be hundreds and thousands of people coming into our very own Meadow lane to claim a piece of our forest for themselves.
Our way of life as we know it would change forever. Everyone was shocked and alarmed at what Billy Beaver had just said. But, deep down within there hearts they all knew he was telling the truth. "Listen everyone" "We do not want nor need this change said Billy Beaver holding a piece of the golden harvest from the Old Heavenly Hotel?" We are all Richer than any outside wealth could ever bring! Our Forest is our home, the birds, animals, trees and plants have lived in harmony of millions of years. We do not need this Golden Harvest to be Rich in life. We are all Rich having Meadowood lane as our very own home.
Picture 16- Everyone in agreement looking around at each other
Everyone agreed with Billy beaver...and in the morning they returned to Old Heavenly Hotel and spent the whole day covering all trace of the Gold from the Ancient riverbed with rocks and stoned.
Oliver Pine and his friends had to admit that they were all feeling very Rich indeed to live in MEADOW-WOOD Lane . The Golden Harvest remained a secret and stayed, buried deep beneath "Old Heavenly Hotel" for Evermore.
THE END
STORY WRITTEN BY:
ANDREW WILLIAM JOHN BELL
MEADOWOOD PUBLICATIONS
© Andrew Bell
ILLISTRATIONS DRAWN BY
ANDREW WILLIAM JOHN BELL
MEADOWOOD PUBLICATIONS
© Andrew Bell
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