The Woods were especially lovely on this bright Saturday. The Old Man waited outside Mr Badger’s home. There was much to discuss about the coming Spring Fest. Mr Badger would have excellent ideas regarding enjoyable activities for both the human and animal kingdoms.

‘Welcome, my friend,’ Mr. Badger said with a wide smile. ‘I have been waiting on your arrival with Moley and Toad to join us in our planning meeting,’ Mr Badger winked. ‘Moley has forgotten his spectacles, so I have loaned him a pair of mine,’ Badger said. ‘Moley is very nearsighted and reluctant to admit it due to his pride,’ Badger noted. ‘The three of us have been kicking around the idea of inviting those with whom we disagree for fellowship food and dialogue,’ Badger continued. ‘I am breaking in my Skechers Slip-Ons as I hate to bend down to put on my shoes,’ Badger laughed. ‘I swear, why could the shoe manufacturers have invented such a wonderful, easy-to-put-on shoe years ago?’ Badger laughed heartily. ‘Toad Moley and I want to move the discussion of understanding forward in the Woods and beyond,’ Badeger noted.

‘I say my good man, you are looking fit in your leather outback hat and L.L. Bean coat,’ Toad noted with aplomb. ‘The three of us are looking for you to guide us in our quest to lower the anger temperature in our world,’ Toad said sincerely. ‘I have been driving my motor car for several days to think clearly,’ Toad noted. ‘Why do you humans hate your own kind if they look different from you?’ Toad asked. ‘Your species struggles for dominance of a hill or valley when you already control the Blue Orb,’ Toad postulated. ‘We Woods Dwellers live in harmony,’ Toady said. ‘Each of us has our own interests and hobbies, but we do not infringe on our neighbours,’ Toady explained. ‘The simplicity of harmony and sense of place is a beautiful thing,’ Toady said.

‘I think having those with whom we disagree is a lovely idea,’ the Old Man said with enthusiasm. ‘We can learn from each other and listen with a desire to understand the feelings of those around the table,’ the Old Man assured. ‘If we are going to move forward, we will either move together or continue in chaos,’ the Old Man said. ‘Throughout history, we have measured the success of humans by winners and losers when we should have measured by love for each other, the Old Man attested. ‘We drop bombs on our fellow humans and feel we are the victor when we demonstrate our limited mental acuity and emotional maturity,’ the Old Man said with a tear in his eye. ‘We have won no contents when we kill our sister or brother, the Old Man whispered. ‘We satiate a macho false construct that helps no one and hurts everyone, the Old Man continued. ‘Woe to us that call good evil and evil good,’ the Old Man said.

‘I know you are thirsty, Preacher…drink of the wine in my wine skin,’ the Profound Gentlemen said. ‘Name a place on the Earth…I have been there…Dubrovnik…I have been there,’ said the Profound Genteleman. ‘I love fine art and concerts in grand palaces…Chopin was my friend as well as Mozart,’ the Profound Gentleman continued. ‘I will give you the sweet and save the sour for myself…I will give you the power and the glory…the rule of all the kingdoms of the Earth…, and I will be your lowly advisor in the shadows,’ the Profund Gentlemen said with intensity.

‘What shall I do when I invite someone to our Spring Fest, and they tell me that I am less than them or not to be considered… not of their club,’ Moley asked. ‘I have often felt the cheek reddening of being rejected,’ Moley continued. ‘I hate the feeling, and then I wonder if they are right, and indeed I am not worthy of consideration,’ Moley noted. ‘Once I asked the Weasels to join me for dinner, and they laughed and poked fun at me and my poor eyesight,’ Moley said with pain. ‘I told them I would have Ale and Meade and that there would be no cover charge if they would honour me by joining me for Supper,’ Moley proclaimed with a pure heart.

‘Love one another as I have loved you,’ the Preacher said.