Mick McArt - The Hobble Hut of Wordishure

This is a work of fiction. Except in references to the Lord Jesus Christ, the events and characters described herein are imaginary and not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

Tales of Wordishure: Book II: The Hobble Hut of Wordishure

All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2013 Mick Art Productions

V1.0

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphics, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Mick Art Productions, LLC

www.mickartproductions.com

ISBN: 978-1-62209-759-3

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luke 6:48

Lounging on hammocks beneath the branches of a large Grabapple tree, rested two Woodashoodas. Both had spent most of the morning picking Lackadaisies and reminding each other about the other ones chores. But now they were relaxing, and daydreaming of all the things that they thought to accomplish tomorrow, or even the day after that.

The Woodashooda named Dilly purred loudly, drifting in and out of sleep. His long arms dangled off each side of the gently swaying hammock, lightly touching the ground. The warming rays of the sun felt good on his brown fur. He liked to think of sunshine as Creations blanket made by God. Dally, the other Woodashooda, also enjoyed hammock naps, but he spent his time counting the Grabapples in the branches overhead. He hadnt told Dilly, but he was secretly developing a new eeny meeny system for deciding on which one to pick for lunch.

The Woodashoodas, unlike the Latergators of Moonover Marsh, loved to take catnaps during the day, and so were often mistaken for cats, but their monkey-like arms, and squirrel-like bushy tails made them quite different. Both Dilly and Dally had light-brown fur, but Dilly had dark-brown stripes that wrapped around his arms. Dallys dark stripes wrapped around his legs, so it made it look like he was always ready to spring.

They both lived in a hut which they had built near the Grabapple tree. Their little dwelling wasnt much to look at. It had clumsy walls made of Shiftwood and a roof patched together from Dripsticks. It was so cobbled and hobbled together, that they named it the Hobble Hut.

They had stored all their worldly goods inside of the Hobble Hut. Like an out-of-tune Shoo Horn (for scaring off flies), some half-finished Wait-To-Do lists, some bedspring sandals for jumping, and a small pile of empty kicking cans.

Dilly was fast asleep, and not too far into a wonderful dream, when something stirred him awake. The sun had disappeared behind some clouds, and its warm rays were replaced by cool droplets of rain. Before they could mutter the words Its starting to rain, a downpour had already begun.

Now, everyone knows that Woodashoodas detest cold showers. They prefer long, hot baths with lots of bubbles. The cool raindrops came down heavy and caused the two to panic.

Leaves were shaken from the tree as the Woodashoodas spun around in their hammocks trying to get up. They quickly ran to seek refuge in their hut, which was just a few yards away.

Open the door, clamored Dilly, motioning toward the door.

You first, Dally replied, slightly bowing.

The rain was coming down heavy now, so Dilly, not knowing how to solve this dilemma said, Maybe we should draw straws?

Not in the rain, silly Dilly, Dally replied, the paper would get all wet.

The sound of a loud thunder clap convinced them both to reach for the door knob. As they slapped each others paws trying to see who could open the handle first, a low-groaning creak could be heard coming from their home. Then, a large crash! They stood in amazement, each holding a side of the detached doorknob of the now collapsed Hobble Hut.

I cant believe a storm came by and blew apart everything we were working not-so-hard to build, moaned Dally as he looked at the pile.

Dilly knelt down and picked up a piece of the Shiftwood. We needed some nails. That would have held our home together.

I told you last week to borrow some, Dally reminded him.

And I told you to borrow a hammer, Dilly replied.

As the two Woodashoodas pointed at each other and listed off the things the other could have done, there came a strange noise from the trees, heading in their direction. What is that?! Dilly yelped, letting go of the doorknob so he could hide behind Dally.

I-I-I dont know, shivered Dally, as he, in turn, dropped the doorknob and ran behind Dilly. B-But, Im not sticking around to find out!

Both of the Woodashoodas started digging through the remains of the Hobble Hut and quickly found what they were searching for. It was the bedspring sandals their friend, Gideon the Tree Scout, had given them. The sandals were for high-bouncing so they could reach Grabapples on their tree. They immediately placed them on their feet and bounced themselves high up into the strong branches, where they could hide.

Through the downpouring rain, Dilly and Dally could finally see the source of the noise. It was a lone figure overlooking the remains of their hut. The figure held what looked like an umbrella, except it appeared to be made from many criss-crossed strings. As the raindrops struck the strings, there was a twang, kaplink, and kerplung. It almost sounded musical.

Dilly watched this figure move around, as he hung from a branch just below Dallys. After a few minutes, both of his arms started to get tired. He was trying not to think about the rain, storm, or list of things that could have been done to prepare for this day. Looking above him toward Dally, he remarked, Were trapped in a tree, soaking wet, and our hut has fallen apart. What else could possibly go wrong?!!

Thats when he noticed the half-eaten Grabapple falling toward him. Ouch! he exclaimed as it bounced off his head.

The falling fruit landed on the ground with a watery splat. Sorry Dilly! Dally tried to whisper with his mouth still full. This water is too wet; its getting slippery up here!

Then you two should get back to solid ground! came a voice from below them.

Hubbub! they cheered in unison.

Hubbub was another Tree Scout friend of theirs. Neither Dilly nor Dally had recognized him because the umbrella had covered his face. Hubbubs real name was James, but everyone referred to him as Hubbub, because most of his inventions dealt with making fun or unusual sounds.

I would have recognized you if not for your umbrella, Dilly stated as he climbed down the tree.

Its not an umbrella, Hubbub noted, giving it a spin. Its a Strumbrella!

I shouldve known, Dally said, slapping his forehead.

Hubbub smiled as he reached into his long coat and pulled out two more Strumbrellas. I thought you two might need these, he said, handing them out.

Dilly and Dally opened their Strumbrellas, and did a full body shake to get the water off themselves. Unfortunately, they were standing on either side of Hubbub when they did it. The small boy let out a sigh before reaching back into his jacket for a cloth to dry his face.