There was a time that the cows and roosters were wake-up calls for Tom and Mary. But lately, Milo’s screeching is all they can hear. The little one was getting louder and louder by the day, if he wasn’t let out of his glass jar in time.
Millie, on the other hand, was having a ball. A new friend, a unique mate, someone to play with, when it was only just cows and sheep till now (and two old souls, of course!). Milo was her play buddy. Sometimes, the playing could get detrimental too, considering Milo’s meager size and Millie’s excitement for playing ‘catch’ or gardening. Milo’s most feared time is if Millie would ever plant him into the mud, like the other flowers!
Thankfully, we have not reached such a moment. Milo was a baby, he was part of a family, a tribe in the forest, that Tom and Mary were unaware of. He was taken away from them. Willow Wood was a magical forest to take a walk in; but the reason for it was never really discovered. There was a whole world set in the forest that only the creatures living in it knew. The forest would come alive at night; natural lights dancing away, flowers floating in groups to sing lullabies to the trees. Mushrooms, oh the mushrooms. They had a tribe of their own; famous for dancing and making merry. Their tops like natural hats, and the water was their drug. Drinking away all night, only to rest quietly all day. Fairies leaving the tree holes to make magic glisten all over the forest. It was a sight to behold!
But. Since Milo was taken, the forest was furious. They had lost one of their own, during resting hours of the day. His parents were furious “Our Baba is taken from us. We don’t know how to get him back!”, cried Momma. Poppa consoled her and said we will do everything to find Baba, even if that means we have to face the humans!
Milo (originally, Baba) was just a few days old and had no clue that he was kidnapped (of sorts, of course). He loved hanging out with Millie and enjoyed the soup he was given. Sleeping in the jar made him happy, because it kept him warm from the biting cold out. The screaming was basic baby talk, and it was unavoidable. But the soups and the friend kept him so happy, that he forgot all about Momma and Poppa. Tom and Mary were happy because Millie was smiling. For parents, it doesn’t take a lot; a well-fed child full of smiles and wonder is all they ask for. It makes them feel a sort of success; in bringing up their child. As long as they’re happy: that’s what parents always say!
On the other side, an army was being created. Momma and Poppa had gathered the rest of the mush-tribe, the fairies decided to join in too (although there wasn’t much they could do with just glitter), and the oldest tree of the forest, who decided that what is theirs must be returned. Now, there is a certain level of senility you can expect from seniors, and FatherTree was the perfect example. He could be stubborn sometimes.
They decided 21st December was the day to attack. Just the right climate predicted by the fireflies, just enough for them not to freeze on their way to the humans’ cottage. They even stitched up blankets made of grass to use as camouflage if their cows and sheep spotted them.
“It’ll be easy. We just need to lay on the ground and cover ourselves with the grass blankets. No one will notice. We just grab Baba, and run for our lives. We gather back at the forest at dawn on 22nd December!”, confirmed Poppa.
While this went on in the forest, Mary was preparing the menu for Christmas Eve. After all, they had a new guest this year, and they wanted to make him feel special. They realised that Milo tended to enjoy the taste of carrots and chicken soup quite a bit. So Mary decided to prepare a decadent quiche along with chicken mince pies. The dessert would be a luscious carrot cake!
Decisions were made on both sides, and an affirmation in each side’s minds got them prepping for their tasks. Little did the forest troupe know what was going to hit them!
Written By Anisha Masand
Part 4 of the story on 25th Dec ’20.
Week 51, December ’20
