The Adventures of Bella the Badger

The Adventures of Bella the Badger
By Rahilly Caiseal

One day Bella the badger was walking through the forest when she fell in a hole. As she struggled to pull herself back out her friend Roger the rabbit happened by. He lifted her easily out of the hole and placed her on the ground next to him.

“Thanks, Roger.” Bella gasped.

“You’re welcome.” Roger stated.

“I would’ve been in that hole forever if you hadn’t come along.” Bella stammered.

“Well, it’s just lucky I happened by then.” Roger replied with a smile.

“Well, I’d better be going home, my mum will be worried. Thanks again.” she said as she waved goodbye.

“You’re welcome Bella, see you around.” he said as he turned and hopped off in the opposite direction.

She toddled off down the path smiling, happy that she had gotten out of that hole so quickly. Along the way she met her friend Harry the hedgehog, who lived just down the road from her cozy den.

“Hello, Harry.” Bella shouted over the noise of his hedge clippers.

“Oh, good evening Bella, I didn’t hear you coming.” Harry said smiling over his little round glasses. “Come on in and have some tea, I just made a fresh pot.”

“Sure, but only for a bit, I’m expected for dinner.” she stated as she followed Harry into his brightly lit kitchen.

Harry was taking the kettle off the fire and putting a plate of biscuits on the table.

“How do you take your tea?” Harry asked.

“Two sugars and some milk please.” Bella replied.

“Help your self to the biscuits as well.” he stated.

“Oh, I should just have one, I don’t want to spoil my dinner.” she answered.

“That’s fine. You can take some home with you for later.” Harry offered.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to take your cooking.” Bella queried.

“Not at all, I baked plenty. Take some for your mum and dad.” he replied.

“Thanks.” she said as she smiled.

They were really quite good. Flaky and golden brown, and just sweet enough for tea time.

“Your welcome.” he answered, smiling as well.

“Well, I should be going now, thanks for the tea Harry.” she said as she made her way back outside.

“No problem, come back soon Bella.” he said following her out. “I’ll walk you home, It’s getting dark.”

“Thanks Harry.” Bella blushed.

“Not a problem.” he answered.

They walked in silence enjoying the fresh spring air. The soft light was shining down through the branches and lighting their path as the sun slowly set. They reached Bella’s door, which was large and red, and said goodby. Bella walked into the cavernous kitchen and the smells of a delicious dinner cooking on the hearth. Her mother was bending over the fire cooking a pot full of carrot stew and freshly baked bread. She turned around at the sound of Bella’s footsteps.

“Hello dear, I was beginning to think you forgot where you live.” he mother said smiling.

“No, I just got a little sidetracked.” Bella replied. “I fell in a hole and Roger had to help me out, and then Harry asked me in for tea.”

“Oh, so you’ve had a very eventful afternoon.” her mother stated her hands on her hips. “I hope you didn’t spoil your dinner.”

“No, momma. I just had one biscuit, Harry gave me some extras for later.” she replied.

“Alright, well why don’t you wash up. Then, set the table please.” he mother commanded.

“Yes, momma.”

Her father came into the kitchen then, with the newspaper under his arm.

“Hi daddy!” Bella shouted.

“Hi pumpkin.” her father replied giving her a big hug. “How was your day?”

“Oh, well first I went to the pond to try to catch some fish. Then I visited with Aunt Beebe. Then I was on my way home, and I fell in a hole. Roger happened by and got me out. Then, I stopped by Harry’s for tea on the way home. He says “hi”, and he sent me home with some biscuits for later.” Bella answered.

“Oh, well that’s very interesting darling. What a day you’ve had!
How’s Aunt Beebe?” her father asked.

“She’s good and she sends her love.” she replied.

“Ben, why don’t you put the paper down and help Bella set the table.” her mother demanded.

“Yes, Beatrice.” her father replied with a sigh.

Bella went and washed her hands and face in the bathroom sink. Then, she came back into the kitchen to help her father set the table. Her mother put the stew on the table and ladled some into each of their bowls. Bella buttered her bread and they ate in silence for a while. After dinner they went into the family room and sat in front of the fire while Father read aloud from the paper. Bella was falling asleep in her chair, so her father picked her up and brought her to her room. He tucked her in and kissed her goodnight. Her mother came in and kissed her goodnight too. She felt warm and cozy, and fell asleep almost at once.

The next morning Bella was reading by the fireplace when her father came in the kitchen.

“Good morning papa.” Bella stated.

“Good morning pumpkin. Do you want to go fishing with me in a little while?” Ben asked his daughter.

“Yes papa.” Bella replied.

“Okay, we’ll leave after breakfast. You’re mother’s coming now.”

“Okay papa.”

Beatrice entered the kitchen and put the kettle over the fire to boil water for porridge.
After their porridge Bella and Ben left to head to the river.

“We’ll be back in a few hours, Bea.” Ben told his wife.

“Alright dear.”

Bella and her father walked past Harry’s and waved as they headed to the river. On the way there the ran into Roger and Mrs. Duck with her young brood. When they reached the river Pan the faun was drinking deeply from the edge of the bank.

“Good morning Pan!” Ben called.

“Good morning Benjamin and young Bella. How are you this fine morning?”

“Very well thank you. We’re just going to see if we can catch anything for supper.” Bella told him.

“Very good. See you later.”

“Goodbye Pan.”

“Look papa a faerie ring!” Bella exclaimed.

“Yes, don’t step in it.”

“Okay.” Bella replied stepping around the ring of mushrooms in
the middle of the path.

Just then a white stag galloped by followed by Mr. Bear. A twig snapped behind them and a centaur stepped out from behind the trees.

“Hello sir.” Bella stated.

“Hello young Badger. How are you this morning?”

“Very well thank you sir. Did you see the white stag run by? Mr bear was chasing him.” she asked.

“Yes I did. Tis a shame that such a beautiful creature will be made into a meal for Mr. Bear.” he answered.

“Yes it is.” Ben agreed.

“See you later sir, we’re on out way to catch some supper.” Bella told him.

“Very well have fun. The fish are good right now.”

“Yes they are. Goodbye sir.” Ben said walking away.

They continued to go down the path to their favorite spot and when they got there a unicorn was drinking from the stream.

“Papa look! She’s so beautiful!” Bella exclaimed.

“Yes she is. There she goes. We scared her.” Ben replied.

“She probably is going to check on her foal.” Bella answered wisely.

“Yes she probably is.” her father agreed.

After fishing for a few hours they caught a catfish and a trout. Then they headed home for lunch. At the end of the day Beatrice cooked up their fish for a lovely supper with Harry’s biscuits.

The End.