Chapter 14 On a Morning Like This The Farmer Man

The sunlight flashed on the shiny metal cap and arm of the Wilding, who sat quietly, close to the fire. A long, white beard spilled down the front of his grey shirt and partially covered his ragged pants. The kind look on his face replaced any fear that he was Narflbot, though the hat and arm showed otherwise. He certainly was an Olding who had seen many years.

“Dear ones, come sit by the fire and warm yourselves.” He motioned with his metal hand to the fire. Patting the log on which he sat, he said, “Flur-Ella, come, sit here.” When he patted the tree truck, beautiful green moss gently curled up and spread on its surface, covering it like a cushion.

Flur-Ella looked astonished and stepped back. She looked at Pata-Pikki. He nodded to her and followed her to the log with the soft moss cushion. Hoopy and Bar-thur sat on a log opposite the fire while Bar-thur eyed the Olding suspiciously.

“You have come a long way,” the Olding said softly. “You will find perfect homes in that direction,” he said, pointing over Bar-thur’s shoulder. “But for now, wait here; someone is looking for you.”

“You must be the Farmer Man,” said Pata-Pikki. “The One Who Lives tells me, and I think the moss gives you away.” A smile played around Pata-Pikki’s dark eyes. “Nonna has told us about your ability to grow things.”

“Ah, you have found me out,” the Farmer Man laughed.

 “You are away from your home?” Hoopy asked.

“Yes, the Narflbots burned my home and fields,” the Farmer Man replied.

“You don’t seem unhappy,” Bar-thur growled.

“The One Who Lives, as you call Him, has given me other things,” the Farmer Man smiled and shrugged. “He will lead me. Good comes from what might seem bad.”

“You are thirsty. A small spring bubbles from the rock wall behind us and holds sweet water. Help yourselves. Your friend will be here soon.”

The forest friends perked up at the mention of water. Taking cups from their packs, they dipped into the crystal water, which filled a large flat stone basin. Hoopy, last in line, filled his cup and followed his companions back to the fire. “Who are we waiting for?” he asked.

The Farmer Man replied, “Be still for now. The answer will come soon enough.”

“What are the homes you spoke of?” Flur-Ella asked with a note of longing -in her snuffle. She wanted a new home terribly.

“The Lord Yeshua tells me they lie in that direction.” Cocking his head and looking up, the Farmer Man added, “Your friend is here.” They heard a flutter of sound, and looking up, they saw Hatch perching on the branch above them.

 “Oh dear, I wasn’t sure I would find you in this wilderness of rock! I am so glad to see you! We need your help, Pata-Pikki, all of you! I come from High Horns, our leader. The Narflbots have found us. They are hunting us, and already we have lost some of our friends! One of the Cat Folk and two of the rabbit clan have disappeared. We fear they will find us all. Where can we go for safety?”

“I was so tired I could not fly any farther. I stopped, and here you are. Oh my, oh, my!”

Pata-Pikki jumped to his feet. “We will help! Can you lead us to the others?  Perhaps we can all live here in peace.” He turned to the Farmer Man. “Will that be possible?”

“Father Mitrophan must give the blessing,” the Farmer Man responded quietly. 

Pata-Pikki repeated Hatch’s plea to the others. Hoopy cried out, and Bar-thur growled most frightfully. Flur-Ella cried, “Of course! We have food. If we fill our water gourds, we can march again for many days.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.” Pata-Pikki bowed low in front of the Farmer Man.

“The High King, the Lord Yeshua, be with you, granting your return, with length of days before you.” The Farmer Man stood and bowed low to the Forest Beings.

“I will be here when you return. My prayers travel with you.”