Sangeetha Kamath

                           CHAPTER 14                         FIERY FRACAS  The brawl raged – fur flying, wood creaking, critters yelling. The pigs were outnumbered, but they weren't going down without a fight. Swinedell smashed a wooden chair, sending splinters flying. Porkinn kicked Chipper, sending him tumbling. Dapper somersaulted off a shelf, landing a series of rapid-fire nips on his scalp. Goldwynn yanked Baconne's tail, spinning him into a bookshelf. Hopper grabbed Porrkinn holding him in a tight rabbit grip. "Yield, porkchop!" he growled. Porrkinn grunted, his eyes glinting with malice as he cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing through like a threat. His porcine features twisted into a cruel grin, flashing a missing tooth, a souvenir from a previous brawl.  "You see, girl, we run things here," he drawled, his voice dripping with arroga...

                               CHAPTER 13                     PESKY PUNKY PIGS  Wait! Footsteps trampled heavily down the path. Goldwynn leaned out but couldn't make out much. The three little pigs sauntered down the twilight-dusted road, exuding an air of menace. Swinedell , the self-appointed kingpin, led the pack, his slicked-back scalp gleaming like polished onyx in the fading light. A black leather jacket with silver spikes seemed to swallow his frame, and ripped jeans added an air of dishevelment to his ruffian looks. A chunky gold chain swung from his neck, proclaiming his turf dominance. Baconne , the behemoth, rolled his massive shoulders, his sleeveless and shredded denim vest straining to contain the tattooed chaos beneath. His tree-trunk arms were a roadmap of pig-centric graffiti, each inked swirl – formidable. His heavy boots pulverized ...

                      CHAPTER 12     YARN OF THE GLOOMSPROUT DALE The mid morning sun streamed into the cozy cottage, casting a warm glow over the assembly. Goldwynn, with a deft touch, stirred the bubbling cauldron of honey oat mush for the darling critters who had been looking forward to this since forever. Dapper, Chipper, and Hopper sat at the table with anticipation.Their eyes were fixed upon the repast being prepared for their pleasure. "Goldwynn, what's the plan ? Where could the Bears be ?" Hopper furrowed his brow, worry writ large on his face. Goldwynn, with a gentle smile, poured the steaming Chamomile tea into delicate china cups, the aroma of the herb mingling with the scent of the steeped apple slices in it.  "We'll figure out a way soon, squad," she said, her voice as soothing as the gentle lullaby of the forest. “Meanwhile, toss your fretting onto the wind and have a hearty meal." Chipper's ears perked...

                          CHAPTER 9            XARINGMERE CRAGG RISE  Dapper's paws skidded to a halt on the polished wooden floor, the sudden silence in the cottage screaming its lungs out. The scent of stewed tea, and a hint of woodsmoke lingered from last night's fire. The human was a glorious silhouette against the window's light, the lace curtains stirring lazily in the breeze. Hopper's words hung in the air, heavy as a dropped acorn, "Goldwynn's looking for the Locke Jewel. She thinks it's a key to something big. Papa Koala's gone, and I was gonna tell him..." The room seemed to shrink. Dapper's mouth was agape, his glassy gaze drifting to the fireplace, where cinders still glowed like dying fireflies in the ash. A half-finished cup of tea sat on the hearth, steam no longer rising from its surface. The Bears' absence was a gnawing ache. His mind stumbled, like a paw slipping on a le...

CHAPTER 9  DAPPER THE DORMOUSE  Dapper the Dormouse sniffed around the meadow, his whiskers skimming the grassy floor. He was on a mission to gather sweet treats in exchange for Papa Koala's all famous honey-oat mush. His shiny eyes scanned the underbrush, searching for the ripest berries and the most tender of dandelion roots. As he wandered through the glade, Dapper spotted clusters of plump, juicy strawberries hiding beneath the leaves and brambles of blackberries. He plucked them with his tiny paws, popping them into his tiny burlap sack. The tangy aroma almost tempted him to devour them right then and there. But these are for the Bears and my crew.  Dapper’s keen sense of smell led him to a patch of peppermint, its fragrant leaves releasing a burst of coolness in the air. He snatched an armload of sprigs and dropped them alongside the berries. It would be a great thirst quencher, if mulled he wished. While at it, he grabbed a few sprigs of Chamomile and Lavender too ...

                          CHAPTER 8               CHIPPER THE CHIPMUNK  Dusk filtered through the oak trees, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Chipper, the chipmunk, scurried along a hidden path, darting between bulging roots and piles of leaves, his beady eyes scanning the ground for more treasures. The forest was alive with the sounds of evening – the scampering of gophers, the hooting of owls… the distant chatter of squirrels settling in for the night. Chipper 's twitchy ears picked up every sound, his tail flicking with excitement. Acorn season was in full swing, and he was determined to stock up for the best acorn butter in the forest. He spotted a stash of fat, ripe acorns under a gregarious oak, its branches groaning in the breeze. Chipper's paws moved swiftly, scooping up the acorns, stuffing them into his sling bag. The earthy smell of the acorns filled his nose ...