Chocolate Shall Lead Us

One day, in the not-too-far-away future, a small group of animal friends gather in a wooded glen to share stories and nibble a few choice pine nuts and newly sprouted greens. This is a daily routine for a pair of chipmunks named Willie and Hinkie Dink, a large box turtle named Lulu, a porcupine named Scott, Jimmy and Darcy, a pair of the cutest mice you can imagine, Heather, a wood duck, a blue bird named Mark, and Ellen, a rabbit from the Glen. And to make the group complete, Hooter, the wise, old owl sits and listens and sleeps and offers his wisdom when he is awake.

On this day, Willie announces to his friends that he has been hearing strange messages.

           "It's like someone is saying, 'hellooooo, is anyone there?'" Willie says.

           "I think I have also heard the same thing," says Hinkie Dink. "Or at least I am sensing that someone is calling for me."

           Heather, duck says that she has not heard these things but is very curious. "We should consult Hooter," she says. "He is, after all, a wise, old owl. He will know what to do."

           Hooter, looking down from his perch, having just been awakened from one of his frequent naps, studies his friends and declares, "I do not hear anything myself, but I believe that Willie and Hinkie Dink are hearing or feeling something. I think we should organize a search at once."