12/30: Scales

Walcome,

Ah have been working hard over the past months on being patient and silent while practicing Lesson One of being a Private. Camelflage was a hard skill to master and after finding myself in some very peculiar nooks and grannies, it was walcome news to hear Ah would be learning a new skill to practice.

Toots has determined Ah'm ready to move on to Lesson Two!

Lé Toots took no mercy on me during my first Lesson, so Ah knew this next one would be difficult.

Lesson II: Scales

As we patrol, Toots shows me the best branches to climb and trunks to navigate. We reviewed hard topics such as the elementals of balance and somethings called finesse. She encourages me to attempt Treebeard, the pine tree. Ah'm nervous, but she offers words of wisdom, "Ze branches are plentiful and ze bark is ideal for kitten claws. Treebeard is ze next challenge for you."

Turning towards Treebeard, a tree twice the size of Oaktwig, Ah find my courage. With a mighty dash, Ah begin to scales all the while keeping my sissy's cunning words in mind:

Vigor is Required

You are a Juicy Treat

Beware of Owls, zey want to Eat You

A Firm Grip is a Must

Ah'm so scared, Ah may never let go!

To Descend, Exercise Patience and Finesse

Ah've no idea what vinhess is, but when Ah'm ready to be back on the ground, Ah don't know what to do. Ah only know how to climb up, so Ah figure that must mean climbing down is the same.

So, Ah just keep climbing. Soon Ah'm so high and buried in Treebeard's branches Ah begin to worry. Then Ah begin to cry for help.

Thank goodness Mum was nearby keeping a close eye. She calls for Red Beard and he bravely helps me find my way down.

Once Ah reach the ground Ah worry that Ah disappointed Lé Toots. But my sissy is a good sissy and she reassures me, "Ze path of a warrior comes with failures. You climbed up well and you will continue to learn how to descend safely."

After kissing the ground and getting lots of hugs from my Mum, Ah feel better about my accomplishment of Treebeard. Ah look forward to a second attempt, but maybe not any time soon.

Hae a guid day,

Beans