Hello
Kate.
Oh,
hi Rasky! Haven't seen you for a few days - busy at the Bridge? I figured
you'd be by today, though.. turkey always was your favorite..I knew you
wouldn't miss this.
Turkey
still is, little one..and this holiday holds fond memories, ones that stand
out even more clearly as time goes by. So you're right - I wouldn't miss this.
My heart is here more than ever on Thanksgiving Day.. ah, those glorious
smells..
They
started at the crack of dawn..I woke up to the combination of these wonderful
smells drifting out of the kitchen and the cozy warmth of that extra heat..
sure signs of a special day.
Yes,
kid, special..and you know why, right?
I
think so, Rasc..I'm not a kitten anymore. You've taught me that there are
things more important than food. It's about being thankful for all those other
things that matter..along with the food, of course.
It's
nice to see you're growing up, Kate - I always knew you had a good heart
underneath that kid's spirit. So how do you feel about leaving this cozy
kitchen for awhile, going for a short trek outside?
Sure,
Rasc, but..outside? I don't think she can make time to let me out right now..
No,
no beans this time, Kate. This trip's just the two of us; I'll be making sure
you're safe. Walk slowly to the back door - you don't want to draw any
attention. I'll get the door latch.
Ok..Hey..neat
trick opening the door!! Is that a Guardian Angel thing?
Yep..GA
status brings a lot with it, abilities we need to help other tigers and
beans..and they come in handy at times like this (wink). Let's go. We're going
into The Woods today.
The
Woods? I've only been as close as the edge..never explored inside, not even
with my Mom after I was born.
She
was wise to keep you away. It's full of surprises -not all of them good.
But
you'll be fine today, Kate. I want you to see something and The Great Cat's
given us safe passage rights. It's down this path aways, follow me..there'll
be a lot of turns.
It
all looks so different inside here, Rasc..lots of bare trees..the leaves hide
the ground and I have to watch my step..it doesn't look as inviting as it does
in summertime..must be hard to live here.
It's
hard, Kate, for sure, but it's being done. The birds switch to nesting in the
evergreens, the squirrels find deeper tree hollows..everyone uses nature to
survive as best they can. Come down this ravine with me..be careful not to
disturb Sean Rabbit's burrow entrance..we're going to the top of that ridge
just over there..
Ok, this is it.. sit down here. I want you to stay hidden, but can you see down into the valley clearly?
Yes,
Rasky.. and I see that band of tiny tigers. Are they lost?
No,
Kate..they live here. It's their home.
Gee..were
they born here?
A
few were..Little Red was..Sounder & Sykes were born nearby. Most of the
others straggled in from other places, or were dropped off by uncaring beans.
Each has their own story of hardship. They've come together to form a family
to one another. It helps them all to share the chores of hunting for food,
finding new shelters, as well as sharing companionship.
I
think that older Gray tiger's spotted us, Rasc..
That's
Gus, Kate..he's this tribe's leader - a wise one with exceptional senses. He's
worked with GA's many a time, and I'm sure he sees us both. It's fine, I
asked his permission earlier to bring you here today so you could see this.
Is
that small cave behind them where they sleep, Rasc?
Tonight
it will be, but they have to move often to stay safe.
Do
they have food, Rasc, or do they hunt every day?
Mostly,
yes, they hunt daily. They do get some help from other wood friends..raccoons
and deer stir up food and such. And Rescue Beans help a good deal..they leave
food during hard weather times at several places Gus has approved. But for the
most part they're on their own.
They
don't look scared, Rasc. And they seem content, even though they don't have a
lot to speak of.
They've
learned to be at peace, Kate, and to value what little they DO have. Their
friendship to one another is a bond that has great importance out here. Nine
lives can be used up very quickly in the Woods, so they work to stay close, be
friends, help one another..that's the key.
I
think I've seen that calico before..who's she?
That's
Grabber. She scavenges in Bean yards and begs for food, then brings it back to
share with the tribe. She and Gus have been out here most of their lives.
She'll undoubtedly make a yards trip tonight looking for scraps. Somedays the
tribe eats very well..somedays they don't eat at all.
What
happens when they get sick like we did, Rasc?
Now
that's not an easy answer, Kate.
There
are ways they've learned to help themselves using plants that grow out here,
or mineral banks they've discovered. The Siamese you see toward the back is
called Healer because she's taught them a lot, and tends to the needs of
anyone who gets weak.
In
some cases Gus and Healer know it's out of their paws, so they arrange to
bring a sick tiger to the Rescue Clearing. There they meet up with certain
caring beans who they know are trustworthy, beans who show respect to the
tribe and who have proven their friendship. These beans help our sick tigers
get better if they can, and find them homes with loving beans to care for
them. Sometimes it's too late, but they provide loving care and a safe, warm
place to rest so their last days are peaceful and without pain. Most
importantly, they're given love.
Do
Gus and Healer get everyone to the Rescue Beans, Rasc?
Sadly,
no, Kate. The Woods life doesn't always have a happy ending. Growing old out
here can be a hard accomplishment. Neither you nor I would have done well
here, I'm afraid. No needles or hanging bags or special foods in the outdoors.
The things Our Beans use to keep us healthy are small miracles in a way,
miracles that don't exist in these woods.
It's
getting chilly out here, isn't it, Rasc?
Ah..the
weather..one more added hardship. Well, let's head back..I think you've
seen enough..go up and turn left at the fork.
Ok.
Is that cave really warm enough for them, Rasc?
It'll
do. They cuddle for warmth, and have made beds of leaves. Turn right here,
Kate..
I
feel sad that they don't have Bean Homes to go to, Rasc..don't they miss
that?
Bear
left there, kid..Gus helps some go back to homes through the Rescue Beans..but
some have had such bad experiences with Beans that they won't ever trust Beans
again, even good ones. The bond these tigers share with one another is the
love they rely on.
I
wish they..do I go straight here, Rasc?
No,
to the left, Kate
I
wish I could do something to help them. It seems like we're such worlds apart
despite the distance being close.
You
can help by always showing them the respect they've earned, Kate. They may
look harder, or more tattered, or less accepting than house tigers, but I
assure you there are some real heroes among them. It isn't about looks, it's
about what purrs in your heart that matters..you know that, don't you? Just
like you are taking all these paths to go home, we each walk many paths but
they all lead to the same place over time. No path is more important than
another in it's lessons. Try your best not to lose sight of that, no matter
where you are.
I
promise not to forget that, Rasc. We're clear of the Woods now..I see the
Beans' Home.
It's
your home, too, Kate - and a great one. C'mon, I'll race you to the door..
OHHHH,
No! I'm not falling for that one again, Rasc! You Guardian Angels run so fast
that I don't stand a chance! Let's just walk normally, Ok?
Fair
enough, Kate.
Well,
we're home. Wow, even outside this door it smells wonderful, huh, Rasc? Wonder
what made the beans choose turkey for this holiday?
It
wasn't really a Bean idea, Kate. Long, long ago a Cat of Great Renown lived in
a Woods and was friends with many First Beans. He convinced those beans that
turkey with just a dab of sweet potato and a bit of mashed green bean (but
skip the corn!) was the purrfect meal. The beans tried it and agreed, then
word spread, and a tradition began. Over time they added extra foods, but the
basics still remain. Their story's gotten a bit muddled over time, but no
matter. Everyone was so thankful that we all still call it
"Thanksgiving".
Was
that one of Gus's relatives, Rasc?
Well, you know, I'm not really sure. It certainly could have been. We'll have to ask him someday.
Kate, I know you get frustrated at times..with the needles and medication the beans insist on..and not being free to roam outdoors on your own..or when the tiny Bean happens to fall on you..
She
did fine as a crawler, Rasc, but now on only 2 feet she's a disaster!
Give
her time, Kate. Beans take much longer to learn the art of balance than we do.
She always apologizes to you for falling, doesn't she?
Not
very clearly..I guess she's learning her words a bit slower, too..but yes, I
know she loves me.
That's
the point, Kate- you're surrounded by love. And today's meal should be just
one small reminder of all that love. You've seen what a life in the Woods
would mean..
I
know, Rasc. And I really am thankful, honest..for EVERYthing!
I
know you are, Kate. So..let's go in and take advantage of this day, and show
our appreciation for all the Beans do..even the tiny one.
Ok..and
I'll be extra nice to Grabber when I see her out back from now on, too. Thanks
for caring enough to teach me and be my friend, Rasky..and..Happy
Thanksgiving!
Happy
Thanksgiving to you, little one. Enjoy.