WARNING: I recommend you look at the pictures and skip the story. It was written very late at night and is based very loosely on our labor day activities. I just found myself tired of typing up the same old boring captions for the pictures I took this weekend.
This story is dedicated to my dad who used to always make up the most random, off the top of his head, stories for his kids' entertainment. We used to beg him for ANY made up story. I hope this random story will make Lizzie smile someday.
Once upon a time there was a happy family of three. A mom, a dad, and a baby. They moved from the big city into a little country town called Tumwater. They heard rumors from people all across the land that this area was most beautiful, but the forests were enchanted and very dangerous. However, this family loved excitement and adventure. So, they left their humble dwelling and headed out to explore.
When they arrived at a nearby forest, it was far more beautiful than could be imagined. There were no words to describe it. The scenery looked as if it had jumped straight off of a canvas. It was as if some great landscapist had created each tree, plant, and animal, perfectly planning each stroke of the brush. The beauty was so great and the impression so strong that it was no wonder they each had this same thought at the same time.
After they overcame the initial shock of happening upon such unsurpassable beauty, they entered into this mighty forest. There was a nicely trimmed path right through the middle as if the forest had prepared it just for them.
As they started down the path they came across a sign, warning them of a dangerous cougar. It was a warning to turn around or continue at peril of life. This scared the mom so she said, "I do not know what this "cougar" creature is, but it sounds very dangerous. Maybe we should turn back." However, the dad and baby insisted on continuing the journey. The baby, especially, loved adventures and the thought of a dangerous creature excited her. "I want to touch a cougar!" she shouted. The dad replied, "The cougar is a mythical creature. Supposedly, no one knows what they actually look like because no one has ever survived an encounter. They probably don't exist, anyways." So they continued down the path. (Disclaimer: In reality, we actually saw this sign as we were
leaving the park. Yikes!)
As they walked through the woods the dad noticed a small, slimy looking creature on the side of the walking path. The baby squealed with delight at the sight. She had never seen an animal such as this before. "Is that the cougar?" she asked. She reached out to touch it, but the dad stopped her. "That is not a cougar. Stay away from this creature," the dad warned. "He may try to steal a kiss." So they left the little green animal alone and continued down the path.
They had not made it much farther when the mom spotted another slimy looking creature. This one, however, was yellow with brown spots, very long, and had two antennae sticking out of its head. It was inching along the side of a fallen tree trunk. The dad stooped down low so the baby could take a look.
The baby tried to touch it, while shouting, "Is that the cougar?" but the dad stopped her. "The sweat on your hands is too salty, " the dad warned. "That is not a cougar and it can not be touched. Salt is poison to these creatures. It will shrivel and die." So they left the yellow and brown spotted creature alone and continued down the path.
They headed deep into the forest. They climbed up hills, tromped through valleys, and paddled through streams. All the while, they were stepping over logs, climbing up rocks, and dodging mud puddles. It was good outdoor fun.
They had traveled far and were moving very fast, until they came to a rushing river. In the middle of the river, hanging just above the surface of the water, was a black, donut shaped object swaying gently in the wind. It hung from a rope that climbed so high into the sky it seemed to be hanging from the clouds. The baby rushed towards the water, straining to touch the black, donut shaped object. "Is THAT the cougar?" she demanded. Deep down she knew this was not the cougar, but she was so desperate to see a cougar that she could not resist asking anyways. The dad stopped her just before she reached the water's edge. "That is not a cougar and it can not be touched. We must stay out of the water because it is too swift," he warned.
The water was too deep and dangerous to cross so they had to travel off-road, instead of continuing down the path on the other side. Before long, the family of three became very tired. "I want to stop and rest!" the baby cried. As they sat down on a log and looked at their surroundings they realized they were very lost.
As they scanned the forest for any familiar sights, the mom exclaimed, "I think I see a sign!" Sure enough, it WAS a sign. But, it was not a sign with helpful directions. It was a warning sign! The only words on the sign read: CAUTION. Then there was a picture of a very large, scary looking animal. "It must be the cougar!" the baby exclaimed. The mom and dad exchanged a silent look of worry but said nothing. After walking in silence for a while, the dad whispered, "We should all be cautious and quiet until we find our way out of here." So they continued to walk quietly through the woods.
As they walked, the mom thought she heard a faint sound in the distance. It sounded like something big, and it was getting louder. Now, the baby heard it too.
Clippity-Clop,
Clippity-Clop, Clippity-Clop! It was coming towards them! Then all of the sudden they heard a blood curdling whinny, much like a war cry; a loud snort; and then a large brown animal on four legs jumped out the thick foliage charging straight at them. "Its the cougar!" the dad cried. "We're doomed!" wailed the mom. But the baby did not say a word. She just toddled right up close to the cougar before the mom or dad could stop her. The big brown beast stopped its snorting, jumping, bucking, and slowly bent its head down so it was face to face with the baby. They looked at each other for a moment then the baby reached out to touch the cougar. "NO!" the mom and dad shouted in unison, but it was too late.
She touched the cougar right, square on the middle of his nose. At this moment, everyone froze and all you could hear was the low breathing of the monster. Then, suddenly, the animal scooped the baby up with his long nose and carefully tossed her onto his back, complete with a big friendly lick on her feet. The baby squealed with delight and gently grasped its fur to hold on. The big cougar slowly began to walk in circles, then trot, and finally quickened the pace into a gentle gallop. The baby loved it! She'd cry, "Again! Again!" By this time, the mom and dad were beginning to gain their composure and realize that the cougar was not dangerous at all! What a relief! Then, the mom and dad joined the baby and jumped onto the beast's back, too.
All three of them, the whole family, were riding on the back of a cougar! They flew through the forest, whooshing past the trees. Until, before they knew it, they were at the edge of the forest where they had started their journey. They climbed off the cougar and as they turned around to thank him for the ride he was gone. He had disappeared as fast as he had appeared. The only remnant left, to assure them that this was no dream, was the soft fading noise in the distance....
clippity-clop, clippity clop, clippity-clop.
