As many of my readers already know, I’ve made friends with the squirrels that inhabit my local park. I make a point to walk through it’s paths each day, on my way to and from the river.

Over the entire summer, I’ve had to play dodge ball with construction workers and machinery, in and around both my park and the river I walk along.

I’ll admit that it’s been rather intrusive and inconvenient, for me personally… but, I think it’s been much worse for the small woodland creatures that live in the park, and along the river.

Don’t get me wrong… The roadwork and piping have to be done! It will be for the betterment of the park and community, when the work is completed, which is nearly done. The thing that has been bothering me, for some time now is this… nearly all my squirrels are gone!!!

At the beginning of summer we bought a bag of peanuts for my friends at the park, but if it weren’t for the cheeky squirrel that has adopted my husband, that bag would still be sitting there full of nuts. Even on the rare occasion that I might encounter a squirrel, they are so frightened and distrustful that they won’t even accept the peanuts I offer.

When I sought answers from House Acorn, I discovered that the entire royal house had simply vanished! The entirety of all the Acorn Kingdom seemed to have moved away, in a hurry. I was shocked to find that their Royal Tree has been square in the middle of the massive pipe bridge, being placed across the river! No wonder they moved!

Aside from being saddened that the Royal Tree was standing empty of squirrels, I was shocked to think that the entire valley has apparently been evacuated. Like I said, what few squirrels that have remained in the valley, refuse to have anything to do with humans right now, so I can’t even enquire about the whereabouts of Squagon’s family.

You see, we’ve not had any word from Squagon’s parents for some time now, causing much confusion and hurt, within the heart of my tiny friend. Even if I try to say that I understand how he must feel, it would make the little one feel no better! All that Squagon knows is that his family never visits, never writes to him, and refuses to call him their own. Even with all that hurt inside his heart, the sweet babe keeps asking that I find out if THEY are alright! I swear, he’s the most compassionate little squirrel I’ve ever known… and I happen to know a good many squirrels, thank you very much!

So, on behalf of young Squagon, I shall do my due diligence in finding out any information about the whereabouts of his kin. While the few remaining squirrels in the park are of no help to me, there are others…

With the park being empty of squirrels, for the most part, a large community of Canadian Geese have been summering in one of the back fields. Also, for some time now, there’ve been a group of these Ravens that constantly follow behind me, as I head for the river.

Usually, I’ll keep my peanuts for the squirrels, until I reach the end of the park. If they haven’t claimed them by then, I’ll toss some of the peanuts into the grass for the Raven Boys, as I’ve dubbed them.

Aside from feeling like I’m being stalked all through the park, the boys are quite respectful, waiting patiently for me to reward them at the end of our walk together.

In the morning, I think I shall fill my pockets with some of my best peanuts and put on my journalist hat. I’m going to find out what happened, here within Acorn Valley… and discover what has become of House Acorn!

Wish me luck!