Order in the Court

          “State your name.”

          “Mrs. Gotrocks.”

          “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” The judge was furious to have to preside over such a stupid case. “Go ahead and state your case,” he ordered abruptly.

          “Well, you see, your honor, I was in my garden checking the roses, when all of a sudden I noticed this rat by one of the bushes.

          “Stop!” yelled all the chipmunks in the room. “We are not rats! Your honor, make her apologize.”

          Chatty was seething. And Slink smirked.

          “A rodent is a rodent. Go on, Mrs. Gotrtocks.” The judge wasn’t going to get in the middle of a long-standing dispute about the differences in a rodent.

          “We need more respect,” insisted the chipmunks.

          “Yeah,” agreed Mrs. Robin and her friends. “Chipmunks need more respect.”

          “If you chipmunks and birds don’t shut up, I’ll respect you right out the door,” screamed the judge.

          “Now, go on Mrs. Gotrocks, and make it snappy.”

          “Well, when I confronted the rodent, he gave me a sob story of how his mother was sick, and his brother and sister were dying of starvation.  Of course, I didn’t believe a word of it.” You know how these rats…er…chipmunks lie.”

          Chatty looked over at his mom. A huge tear ran down Mrs. Chipmunk’s furry cheek. Chatty lowered his chin. He had been caught red-handed in his big, fat lie.

          Mrs. Gotrocks caressed her long strand of pearls as she continued her witness against Chatty. “Your Honor, if you don’t mind my saying, my social circle has no place for…rodents. You know, they decrease the value of property. It’s my opinion, and I’m sure the whole neighborhood that all rats…rodents, should be disposed of immediately.”

          “Anything else?”

          “No, your honor. I think I’ve said enough.”

          “You certainly have. You may step down.”       

          The judge looked down at Chatty, who was obviously shaken by the whole event. “Do you have anything to say in your defense Mr. Chatty?”

          “Your honor, Chipmunks do have value. You see, we’re very good at aerating the soil.”

          “I’ll aerate you if you ever step on my property again,” screamed Mrs. Gotrocks from her seat.

          “Order in the Court,” shouted the judge. This time he was a little easier on the gavel. “This Court will be dismissed. I’ll give you my opinion tomorrow.”  

                                                          

          With that, the gavel banged one last time for the day, and Chatty was led away back to the jail, where he lay on the cement floor and sobbed his heart out, until he fell sound asleep.

 And an angel of the Lord stood watch all through the night.

         

To be continued…

        

We invite you to visit harvestaudiobooks.com for more children’s stories.

         The Adventures of Chatty Chipmunk

         Chatty Chipmunk Meets Mrs. Gotrocks

         A Carnival Adventure with Chatty Chipmunk

Available as MP3’s at harvestaudiobooks.com

And in Kindle format at Amazon.com

Here Comes the Farmer

         “This Court will be in order,” roared the judge. “Any more outbursts and I’ll lock you up, no questions asked. Is that clear?”

          Mrs. Robin and her friends ruffled their feathers in quick response and quieted themselves immediately. But the chipmunks ignored the judge and chittered and whispered under their breath, about a plan to free Chatty.

          “I said, quiet!” And the judge banged the gavel again. The chipmunks shrank, and shut up.

          “Now, where was I,” muttered the judge to himelf. “Oh, yeah…Mr. Chatty Chipmunk, where were you the morning of May 18?”

          “Gathering beechnuts, your honor.”

          “Where?” The judge asked sharply. It was clear he was becoming impatient.

          “Farmer Shoestring’s backyard,” Chatty responded, becoming more and more frightened. He glanced at his mom behind Slink and Mrs. Gotrocks. Her paws were folded, and he knew she was praying for him.

          “Please explain further,” continued the judge. “Today’s complaint is put forward by Mrs. Gotrocks, who lives next door to Farmer Shoestring. Is that correct?”

          “Yes, your honor.” Chatty knew immediately what question was next, and he trembled. Furthermore, he remembered he lied to Mrs. Gotrocks, telling her his mom was sick and his brother and sister were starving to death. He could feel the jaws of punishment ready to clamp down, tight.

“She has charged you with trespassing. So, what does she have to do with Farmer Shoestring’s backyard if you were gathering beechnuts in the farmer’s backyard.”

          Chatty trembled, and his tail twitched. Just as he was about to tell the judge that he accidentally wandered over to Mrs. Gotrocks’ property, the back door flew open, and in stormed Farmer Shoestring, with Mrs. Shoestring trailing close behind.

          “Your honor, I need a say here,” shouted the farmer.

          “Who are you? And why are you interrupting the Court?” The judge was not pleased by the intruder.          

          “I’m Farmer Shoestring. And this pest…this chipmunk has been a meddlesome bother to me for years. He pilfers through my strawberry patch, robs my cherry tomatoes, and steals my delicious blue Concord grapes. I say, hang him by his toenails…today!”

          Chatty couldn’t squeeze back the tears.  And Mrs. Chipmunk let out a wail. Hulda Shoestring took notice.

          “Now, now, your honor,” chimed in Mrs. Shoestring. Farmer Shoestring and I have different opinions about Chatty. I rather like the little chipmunk. Actually, I look forward to see him scampering through our yard.”

          The judge had enough and banged the gavel so hard it chipped the podium. “This is the strangest case I’ve ever heard. Is there anyone else who would like a say?”

          “I would, your honor.”

          “Step forward, Mrs. Gotrocks.”

          Slink leaned forward. “Time for the kill,” he said to himself.

  To be continued…

        

We invite you to visit harvestaudiobooks.com for more children’s stories.

         The Adventures of Chatty Chipmunk

         Chatty Chipmunk Meets Mrs. Gotrocks

         A Carnival Adventure with Chatty Chipmunk

Available as MP3’s at harvestaudiobooks.com

And in Kindle format at Amazon.com

         

Calling All Chipmunks, Calling All Chipmunks

          Word got around to all the chipmunks in the neighboring yards that Chatty was in trouble. He was in jail! There was so much chittering going on, it sounded like a wind storm howling through Farmer Shoestring’s orchard. Mrs. Robin and her relatives passed the word long to the sparrows, gold finches and cardinals. Even the mourning doves cooed their sadness over the arrest of their favorite furry friend. 

          Morning came early for Mrs. Chipmunk. She couldn’t eat, thinking about the latest news about Chatty. There was to be a court hearing today, and the fate of her son was in the hands of Judge O’Leary. “Oh, Lord, please protect my Chatty. Help him to not be afraid, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”                     

Swishing his long black robe, the gruff judge entered the courtroom with authority and seated himself behind the prestigious bench. Then he banged the gavel as the balif thundered, “All rise. Hear ye, hear ye. The Court is now in session.”

Mrs. Gotrocks and Slink seated in the first row of the spectators, smirked as they stood, and were eager to get their hands on Chatty, especially Slink. Mrs. Chipmunk, in the next row, nervously twitched her tail and noticed the very satisfied look on Slink.

          Looking down at Chatty, the Judge ordered, “Please stand and raise your right paw and answer, do you swear to solemnly tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God?”

          “Yes, your honor,” mumbled Chatty.

          Just then the door flew open and an unlikely crowd stormed the courtroom. All the neighborhood chipmunks and birds, headed by Mrs. Robin, flooded the room, shouting, “Free Chatty. Free Chatty.”

          “Hear, hear!” shouted the judge and banged the gavel hard. “This Court will be in order. What’s going on here?” he demanded.

          Chatty looked up at the towering judge and explained. “Your honor, these are my friends. They want to help me.”

          “Help?” he stormed back. “You call this help?”

          Chatty looked around at all his chipmunk friends and birds, especially Mrs. Robin, and graciously said, “Thanks, guys. I’m gonna be okay.” Then he spotted Slink seated next to Mrs. Gotrocks, and noticed the satisfied grin stretched across his furry face and said to himself, “Hmm…maybe not.”

         

To be continued…

        

We invite you to visit harvestaudiobooks.com for more children’s stories.

         The Adventures of Chatty Chipmunk

         Chatty Chipmunk Meets Mrs. Gotrocks

         A Carnival Adventure with Chatty Chipmunk

Available as MP3’s at harvestaudiobooks.com

And in Kindle format at Amazon.com

The Fifty Back-yard Dash

                    Sirens screamed throughout the neighborhood, as people came running outside to see what the ruckus was all about. Three police cars slammed on their brakes in front of the large Victorian home of Mrs. Gotrocks.

          “Hurry, officer. He ran that way,” directed the much bejeweled neighbor of Chatty. Her bracelets clinked together as she waved in the direction of Chatty’s burrow.

          Mrs. Robin twittered a warning to Chatty, who was hiding beneath Farmer Shoestring’s grape arbor, with a large bunch of blue Concords wrapped around him. He held his breath as he heard the shouting of the policemen, and Mrs. Gotrocks bellowing orders in the background.

          “There he is. There he is,” hollered a lieutenant.

          “No, that’s not him,” yelled Sam, the chief of police. “That’s a mouse.” Poor Mealy mouse he was so frightened, he threw up all the seeds he had just scarfed up and darted off to hide under the nearby lilac.

          “We’re lookin’ for a chipmunk,” instructed Sam. “And when we find him, we’ll rid this whole block of any chipmunk who dares to show his pointy, little face!”

          “Did you find him, Sam? Did you find him?” Mrs. Gotrocks was beside herself. Oh, how she detested that smart, little chipmunk.

          Then everything became quiet. No one was shouting, not even talking. Chatty peeped around the grape leaf, and much to his horror, looked straight into the face of the chief of police.

          Sam was so shocked, it took a minute before he realized he was looking at Chatty. And then he shook himself.

          “I’ve got him. Over here. Come on, lieutenant, let’s get him.”

          But Chatty was too fast for them. And the chase was on. In and out of thickets, back to the grape arbor, down to the creek, Chatty ran as fast as he could.

          “Hurry, men, hurry,” ordered Sam, running as fast as he could.

          Just when Chatty thought he was safe under a fallen log, he felt a large, meaty palm scoop him up. “My, oh my. What have we here,” the chief muttered.  “You’re kinda cute, if I dare say so myself.”

          Chatty shook violently and promptly fainted dead away, as the chief carefully placed him into his coat pocket.

          To be continued…

        

We invite you to visit harvestaudiobooks.com for more children’s stories.

         The Adventures of Chatty Chipmunk

         Chatty Chipmunk Meets Mrs. Gotrocks

         A Carnival Adventure with Chatty Chipmunk

Available as MP3’s at harvestaudiobooks.com

And in Kindle format at Amazon.com

Two Against One

Two Against One

          “Matilda, would you please answer the door. I don’t want to be disturbed this morning. Yesterday was enough to kill a rhinoceros, with all that police and chipmunk commotion. I’m exhausted,” complained Mrs. Gotrocks.

          The maid dutifully went to the door and opened the large oak door, but didn’t see anyone.  Just as she shut the door, the doorbell rang again.

          “Matilda, I told you to answer the door,” snapped Mrs. Gotrocks.

          “Sorry, ma’am, but I didn’t see anyone.

          “Well, don’t argue, just answer it!”

          Matilda knew there was no pleasing her boss, and again opened the heavy door. And when she did, she heard a squeak and looked down to see a strange creature.            

          “Morning, ma’am. I’m Slink. I’ve come to see Mrs. Gotrocks.”

          Matilda stared. And stared. Not knowing who the creature was, she just dismissed him. “Oh, it’s nothing, Mrs. Gotrocks. Just the wind blowing.”

          Slink would have none of it, and darted past Matilda, on to the adjacent parlor where Mrs. Gotrocks was having tea.

          “Come back here,” whined Matilda. But Slink ignored her.

          “Morning, Mrs. Gotrocks. Let me introduce myself. I’m Slink, your neighbor. I live on the other side of the creek, at the end of Farmer Shoestring’s yard.”

          Mrs. Gotrocks looked down at the furry, bold creature, and for some reason was fascinated.

          “You know, Mrs. Gotrocks, you and I have a lot in common.”

          “Oh?” Mrs. Gotrocks put down her cup and leaned forward.

          “You see,” Slink continued, “We have a mutual acquaintance.”

          “And who might that be?” Mrs. Gotrocks couldn’t conceal her curiosity.

          Slink felt a homerun in the making. “Chatty the chipmunk.”

          “What? That hideous varmint?” stormed the rich, old lady.

          “That’s right. And I have a plan that will make both of us very happy. As a matter of fact, you might call it a deeeeelicious plan!”

To be continued…

        

We invite you to visit harvestaudiobooks.com for more children’s stories.

         The Adventures of Chatty Chipmunk

         Chatty Chipmunk Meets Mrs. Gotrocks

         A Carnival Adventure with Chatty Chipmunk

Available as MP3’s at harvestaudiobooks.com

And in Kindle format at Amazon.com

A Rat in the Yard

          Gray clouds loomed overhead as Chatty scurried to find more grasshoppers for the storeroom. Mrs. Robin sang out her daily, cheery melody from high in Farmer Shoestring’s Queen Anne cherry tree. And Chatty’s friend, Mealy mouse, was at his usual spot scarfing down fallen seeds from the farmer’s bird feeder. All was well with the world. Until suddenly Chatty heard yelling, “Call the police. Call the police.”

          Chatty jerked his head up and saw Mrs. Gotrocks waving her arms wildly. “There’s a rat in my yard,” she screamed, pointing at Chatty.

          Dumfounded, Chatty looked around to see who she was yelling at, and then realized he was him! He had accidentally wandered over to his mean neighbor’s yard. Mrs. Gotrocks hated chipmunks. Worse yet, she referred to them as rats! Chatty was most indignant at her snide remark.

          “I’m no rat!” he retorted. “I’m a respectable chipmunk.”

          “I don’t care what you call yourself.” Mrs. Gotrocks insisted. “I’m calling the police.”

          “Mrs. Gotrocks, I’ve got to gather food for our storeroom,” he pleaded. “My mom is sick, and my brothers and sisters are starving to death,” he lied.

          “Gather, shmather! She stormed. “Go do your gathering on someone else’s yard. I didn’t move here to entertain rodents!”

          “You’re a mean, old lady,” Chatty shot back. “I hope you grow warts!”

          “What? Does your mother know you talk that way?”

          Chatty felt a twinge of regret for being so disrespectful. But, he reasoned, she had it coming.

          “I’ve had enough.” Mrs. Gotrocks turned and walked straight back to the house and called the police. “Hello, Sam? Need your help. Have to get rid of a pesky, no good, dog-ugly varmint!”      

To be continued…

        

We invite you to visit harvestaudiobooks.com for more children’s stories.

         The Adventures of Chatty Chipmunk

         Chatty Chipmunk Meets Mrs. Gotrocks

         A Carnival Adventure with Chatty Chipmunk

Available as MP3’s at harvestaudiobooks.com

And in Kindle format at Amazon.com

Chessie, the Unlikely Hero

         “Chatty, get in here.” Mrs. Chipmunk’s tone was almost severe.

         “What is it Mom?”

         “Something’s wrong with you. You acted strange at breakfast. You wouldn’t even eat the beautiful strawberries I saved for you.”

         Chatty stammered. “Well, er, I’m just tired from scrounging for nuts and berries for the storeroom.

         “You’re not telling me the truth. I can feel it’s something more. What is it?”

         Chatty was at a loss for words. He didn’t want to worry her about Slink. But he had to be honest. “Mom, I saw Slink yesterday.”

         Mrs. Chipmunk blanched. Slink was always their greatest worry.

         “Did he try to catch you?”

         “I saw him staring at me through some branches, and I took off into a rock pile.” 

         Mrs. Chipmunk gave Chatty a warm hug and bowed their heads to ask God for protection today.

###

         The fall winds howled through Farmer Shoestring’s orchard, as if calling the animals to prepare for winter’s hibernation. Chatty nabbed as many grasshoppers as he could, and stuffed the pouches of his cheeks with nearby beechnuts, all the while keeping a lookout for Slink. Just as he turned to head back toward his burrow on the other side of Farmer Shoestring’s Queen Anne cherry tree, he heard a rustling amongst the branches.  He froze in his tracks as he caught sight of the dangerous weasel. “Oh, Jesus, help me,” he prayed to himself.

         Slink crouched low, and was just about to pounce on the frightened chipmunk when suddenly out of the corner of his eye he saw Chessie the cat, his much feared enemy. Chessie arched her back and hissed at the weasel as she swished her long, gray tail. Then she lunged at Slink. Slink bolted through the orchard, past dense thickets and on toward the creek where he was safe from the dreaded cat. But there would be another day, he reasoned, when he surely would have a juicy chipmunk for lunch. His beady eyes narrowed and he snickered with glee as he schemed on how he would make that day come, very soon.

To be continued…

We invite you to visit harvestaudiobooks.com for more children’s stories.

         The Adventures of Chatty Chipmunk

         Chatty Chipmunk Meets Mrs. Gotrocks

         A Carnival Adventure with Chatty Chipmunk

Available as MP3’s at harvestaudiobooks.com

And in Kindle format at Amazon.com