The Mighty Oak
Carole La Flamme Beighey
language
(AuthorHouse, May 30, 2008)
THE WADDODLES OF HOLLOW LAKE: THE MIGHTY OAKSTORY LINE: Fun. Family adjustments to new home and friends. Lots of activity. Amusing friends and parties galore. Story stresses building relationships and friendship. A beau woos Harriet. STORY SYNOPSIS: Harriet awakens the first day to find Charmaine Crest and Melody Morn quarreling in her tree, about who is the most important, most beautiful bird. Overhearing the fracas, Hubbard The Great Horned Owl flies to the rescue. His great bulk, thundering gravely voice, and loud raspy breathing frightens the children. However, he soon wins them over. The birds had no sooner left The Mighty Oak when Dulcie Porcupine and Rosie Skunk come to visit, charming the Waddodles completely. Concerned about the overwhelming responsibility Harriet had raising her family, Hubbard plays ‘matchmaker’ and summons his good friend raccoon, handsome Toby Trottleby, to visit him. Harriet, embarrassed by Hubbard’s matchmaking attempt, is nevertheless impressed when she meets dignified, fine-mannered Toby Trottleby. When ‘The Beauties’ continue arguing, the group meet beneath The Mighty Oak, to discuss how to settle the problem of the quarreling bird’s constant arguing, disrupting the neighborhood. They appoint Rosie, Madam Chairwoman, to chair a committee. The committee decides to hold a beauty contest, of sorts, for The Beauties to preen and show off their beauty on stage hoping that would pacify ‘The Beauties’ … and shut them up. Rosie takes complete charge, taking her Madam Chairwoman role most seriously and soon has the contest blown completely out of proportion. News circulates among the woodland, sparking the other bird’s interest and desire to participate in the contest, which disarms Rosie. She soon delivers her elaborate, complicated plans for The Bird’s Beauty Contest, which, when held, turns into such an elaborate affair; it becomes the highlight social event of the season and the beginning of the Annual Woodland Celebration. Meanwhile, The Beast, Big Casey Black Bear, begins making frequent appearances on West Shore, stunning the residents, terrorizing everyone … trashing Billy Buck’s beaver dam, which results in another flash flood, and repeatedly ripping apart the grouse nests being built by perspective couples in preparation for The Ruffed Grouse Courtship Ceremony, scheduled to take place later in the season. Especially frustrated are Gracie Goodglee and Gaylord Grantmore, who rebuilt their wedding nest three times already in preparation for their hopeful wedding during the festival. Fred wanders off … again. Toby aids Harriet in the hunt for him, finally locating Fred feeding directly from the hand of the human boy, Steve Lawrence, beside The Stump. Fulfilling her responsible role, Harriet must ground Fred. Toby courts Harriet and spends time getting to know her children. Many of his evenings are spent taking Harriet, along with her children, on moonlight walks to the lake. Romance is very much in the air as the territory prepares for The Ruffed Grouse Courtship Ceremony soon to take place in The Grassy Meadow. Book Four climaxes by setting up Book Five, Ruffed Grouse Courtship Ceremony, as Toby seriously romances Harriet and The Ruffed Grouse Courtship Ceremony is in progress, as nests are being built and the intended grouse females listen to the erotic romantic sounds of the males drumming and dancing taking place on The Grassy Meadow in preparation of the courting and weddings soon to encompass the grouse who live on the West Shore of Hollow Lake.