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Chipper Monk and Jay
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| Beneath an acorn
laden oak, behind its gnarl-footed root a leafy hole descends into a dark and daunting den. Deep below lies Chipper Monk's abode to break the winter wind that scours across the face of mountain field and icy ground. From tip of tree to tree Jay flies in search of easy meals to steal with no concern for the natural peace, he wages woodland war. While Chipper Monk and Jay stand off around a tiny acorn nut their chats and caws pierce through the quiet of the winter day. At the stroke of noon, in glaring sun to test their right the forest fight begins with quickened feet to dart and unfurled azure wings. Arriving first is Jay to spear with lightning-silver beak and flees much quicker than poor Chipper Monk to grab with slower hands. In flight to bows above the thief so agile finds a haven height where he lights in safety on a limb to taste his morsel prize. But as the gloating thief calls out his win to Chipper Monk below the acorn falls to bounce, just once, into the waiting hole. |
| John H. Freeman |
Copyright © 2001