A week is gone. The best things go quickly. The Old Man reaches with both hands to hold Magic Autumn. Many leaves are on the ground. Frost has visited the tender plants. The days of hibernation are coming. Days of deep thoughts by Jack Handy. ‘How did fall look to me when I was thirty…forty…fifty…sixty,’ the Old Man asked? ‘Did I see the beauty or was it on the checklist of things to do for fun,’ the Old Man asked. ‘The time of ghost stories…there are things half seen in the shadows,’ the Old Man mused. ‘Eyes looking out of the campfire smoke…leaves rustling…children’s laughter…but where are the kids,’ the Old Man asked?
‘Tell us the story of the Old Man of the Woods,’ the Kids asked among their giggles. ‘Did people really go to live with him in the fall and not return,’ the Kids said. ‘We heard his stories were compelling and soon those listening forgot who they were,’ Kids noted. ‘It is said that they live in the woods with him and if you listen closely you can hear their laughter,’ Kids said with glee. ‘It is told that the Old Man of the Woods is kind and protects children from danger,’ Kids stated.
‘Did I hear my name mentioned,’ Old Man of the Woods asked? ‘My wife and I have welcomed the poor forgotten homeless children for many years to our Woods Home,’ OM of the Woods said. ‘No one cared so we opened our doors to the needy kids,’ OM continued. ‘We find them homes in the community…but many choose to live with us in the Magic Woods,’ OM explained. ‘You will hear them giggle as they play in our Magic World of no fear,’ OM smiled. ‘There is a door between your world and ours…when we see a little one who is lost we rescue them,’ the Old Man of the Woods said quietly. ‘Our worlds coexist side by side…yet they are very different,’ OM noted with a laugh. ‘We wait for Father Christmas while you wait for Santa Claus…We enjoy vegetable lasagna with Thanksgiving Dinner while you eat turkey…our neighbors the Turkeys have a bone to pick with you,’ OM chortled.
‘There is much to be said for not being afraid,’ Mr. Mole observed as he cleaned his spectacles. ‘So many of my human friends are scared and worried most of the time,’ Mr. Mole continued. ‘Badger and I want to the kids on a proper boat ride through the rushing creek in the Woods,’ Mr. Mole said with aplomb. ‘They must be exposed to the beauty of nature to understand the difference in media and horror created to divide us,’ Mr. Mole smiled. ‘Life is much simpler than the supposed experts tell us…for reasons know only to them they kindle the fire of fear,’ Mr. Mole continued. ‘The gentle rhythms of the Woods and the excitement of the rushing creek will be a Magic Autumn thrill that will stay with our young friends,’ Moley said as he danced about.
