Early Song

By Angie Bromeland

Raccoon flagged down the crow that was swooping through the meadow.

“Ah, good evening, Mr. Raccoon,” Crow greeted him in a ragged voice. “How can I help you tonight?”

Mr. Raccoon cleared his throat.

“I need you to talk to your fellow winged friend, the robin. Did you know he wakes at 4:23 each morning to begin his song?” Raccoon looked crazed. “It’s outrageous! I’m up all night hunting and scavenging, and then when I’m finally able to rest, the robin starts singing.”

“Ah, yes,” Crow chuckled. “Robin isn’t one to lag in the morning. I’ll see what I can do.” And with that, the crow flew off.

Raccoon watched Crow zigzag this way and that through the sky. Then, Raccoon turned around and made his way back into the forest. Raccoon made his home not at the meadow, but at the bottom of a rocky crag. It wasn’t the best place to find food, so he often came to the meadow when he first woke in the evening. He liked a hearty breakfast, and until he got one, he was usually quite cranky. He trudged along his path, dragging his tail behind him. Every so often, Raccoon wished he could wag his fluffy, ringed tail, but it just didn’t work that way.

Raccoon snagged a handful of berries. He climbed a tree and found some forgotten eggs, too. After that, he wasn’t feeling quite as enraged at the robin. A good meal always improved his mood. Raccoon scampered back to the meadow to find Crow again.

“Crow! Crow!” he called. Crow landed in a nearby branch. “Crow, please never mind what I said about Robin and his song. I can use soft leaves to cover my ears and I’m sure I’ll sleep much better.”

With that, Raccoon ran back into the forest, ready to find his next meal already.