THE PARTITION OF THE FOREST
Zoë Ross Allen {age 12}
Marshall Hilbertz
09 January - Guelder Rose 15 February - Witherod 19 March - Thimbleberry 21 April - Dewberries 23 May - Blackberry 25 June - Saskatoons 27 July - Blackcaps 29 August - Groundcherry 31 September - Aronia 33 October - Hawthorn 35 November- Teaberry 37 December - Partridgeberry 39 January - Guelder Rose
JANUARY {Guelder Rose}
In the clearing of the dense trees, there are six tree trunks. On top of those six tree trunks sit six animals deep in conversation. There is a chipmunk, squirrel, badger, possum, deer, and a bear.
“We all agree that he has to go,” the squirrel shouted, hushing all other side conversations.
“Um. Ollie. Not all of us. Haven’t you noticed that the unemployment rate went down?” Wilmer the Badger piped up.
“Yes, but haven’t you seen the documents? He tried to get the Pond to help with the Chosen One decision. That is wrong on so many levels.” Varth, the bear, chimed in.
“Haven’t you heard? Rupert tried to go to the Swamp, but he was denied.” Rex the chipmunk added.
“But the supplies are flourishing. The other day, I went to a wood farm, and the beavers have saved up a phase’s wood supply.”
“But don’t you own a wood farm? Or is it a berry supplier?” Suri, the possum, asked.
“Both,” Wilmer mumbled.
“I think the way to solve this is through a vote. Who votes to challenge Tweaker Duncan as the Chosen One?” Ollie finally spoke again. All but one animal said “I!” And so they did. All the animals (even Wilburt) worked to create an Article of Challenge.
“Today, 15th of Guelder Rose, we, the Forrester Council, present the Article of Challenge to you. We believe that Tweaker Duncan is not fit to be our Chosen One. Because of the scroll we sent over earlier, we sent out a query to the Swamp. When we sent over Pocoyo, our informant, we were blocked at the door. Then, when Rupert tried to investigate, he was also blocked.
JANUARY {Guelder Rose}
As you know, this goes against The Great Rule number 14. Not only is there a query that Tweaker Duncan had asked for help from the Pond for the next Chosen One decision, but he also broke several Great Rules. This is
unacceptable, and Tweaker Duncan and the party in question need to be held accountable. We, the Forrester Council, rest our case.”
Ollie read out the long scroll out to the Woodland Council. It had been 15 days since the original conversation had happened. All of the Forrester Council had worked day and night on the article. After a day of discussion, the challenge managers were decided. A hedgehog named Griff, a duck, named Opal, and a woodpecker named Ernie. The next day, a trial date was set, and for the next few weeks, meetings occurred every day.
Meanwhile, five rabbits sat hunched over a wood table in a secluded section of the forest.
“What is going to happen, Dr. Bean?” Dory Noodles asked (Dr. Noodles)
“I don’t know. Dr. Noodles. There are many unknowns. Right now, this rife is only in the Plains. We have time to prepare.” Dr. Bean replied.
“How long do you think we have?” Dr. Coniglio asked
“I don’t know. Dr. Coniglio. I don’t know.” Dr. Bean said, staring down at the data in front of him.
Six days later, the rabbits gathered again, this time in the middle of the forest.
“We are saddened to say that the first case of Goji-Rose has presented itself in the forest on the 21st of Guelder Rose. As you all may have heard, thanks to Rupert, Goji-Rose has presented itself in many different regions. The deer had traveled to the Plains, and when he saw our broadcast via Rupert, he visited our sanatorium, where he was treated for his symptoms.
JANUARY {Guelder Rose}
We have isolated him, and the professionals that helped him are following the precautions that we have put in place. Thank you all for meeting here today.”
Dr. Bean sat in the middle of the table, with all of his colleagues on either side of him. “Now a statement from Chosen One Duncan.” Dr. Bean and the scientist filed out of the center and joined the audience. Then Chosen One Duncan and his team took their place.
“Thank you all for being here. I have a short message prepared for you. We have a plan, we think we can handle Goji-Rose very well, and we have handled it really well. Thank you.” Chosen One Duncan left the meeting area and went to the small hut prepared for him.
There were scoffs from the audience. About twenty animals had gathered as the meeting would be broadcast by Rupert.
“Does he expect us to feel better after that?” One deer asked.
“So, what are we supposed to do?” A hedgehog asked.
“I think we are just supposed to wait?” A deer said.
“That doesn’t seem like much of a plan.”
Another hedgehog said. “It isn’t a plan.”
Seven days later, the rabbits gathered again.
“We are sorry to see you again, but today on the 29th of Guelder Rose, there are five cases of Goji-Rose. We are handling the situation. Like the first case of Goji-Rose in the forest, we have isolated the patients. We have a message from Chosen One Duncan.
‘Just received a briefing on the Goji-Rose in The Plains from all of our GREAT agencies, who are also working closely with The Plains. We will continue
JANUARY {Guelder Rose}
to monitor ongoing developments. We have the best experts anywhere in the world, and they are on top of it 24/7.’
That is all we have today; thank you all for being here today.” Dr. Bean had dark eye bags under her eyes, and all of his scientists looked burned out.
“Wow. He couldn’t even be here to reassure us.” A bear grumbled angrily at his seatmate.
On the other side of the arena, a hedgehog was talking to a deer.
“Wow. Chosen One Duncan has this under control!”
“Um. Don’t you notice that the Chosen One is not here?” The deer responded.
“Yeah! But he is controlling Goji-Rose! Only five people have got it!” The hedgehog squealed excitedly.
“Five people in seven days.” The deer was starting to get annoyed.
“Oh, don’t be such a Negative Nelly!” The hedgehog seemed to be stuck in his own world.
“I can’t deal with this.” The deer got up and disappeared into the dense evergreen forest.
“What was his problem?” The hedgehog slid off his chair and went to talk to another animal.
Meanwhile, Rupert was spreading the news. He flew through the trees, hitting every stop on his route.
“JUST IN: FIVE CONFIRMED CASES OF GOGI-ROSE. MANY ANGERED THAT CHOSEN ONE DUNCAN DID NOT MAKE A APPEARANCE.”
JANUARY {Guelder Rose}
A young fox ran into a fox burrow. “The news is in! Gather around!” He said, galloping into each room. Once everyone had gathered around, the young fox started;
“There are five cases of Gogi-Rose in the forest. There was a conference, and Chosen One wasn’t there.” He started.
“That must have angered a lot of people.” Another fox interrupted him.
“You know the rules, Bruno. Don’t talk during the news.” An older fox scolded him.
“Back to the news! As you know, in the Meadows, Prince Rodger and Dutchess Coco are leaving the Majestic Family! That is all for today.”
“Wait. Is the Majestic Family falling apart?” Bruno asked, “Wait. Am I allowed to ask questions again?”
“It seems like it, and yes.” Another fox answered. The next day, Rupert had a much more significant announcement.
The same actions took place as the day before, but there was a much more somber tone and no interruptions.
“There is a State of Concern in the Forest. Chosen One Duncan says that five cases should not cause concern.” Jasper says (a young fox).
“So who should we listen to? The rabbits or the Chosen One?” The grandmother fox asked.
“THE FOREST HAS DECLARED A NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY CONCERN.”
JANUARY {Guelder Rose}
“I don’t know, Grandma. I think we should go on with our daily lives because it is only concern.” Jasper replied.
“But what if we get sick?” Bruno asked.
“Then... I guess we will go to the sanatorium?” Jasper said with a question in his tone.
FEBRUARY {Witherod}
“After several weeks of careful consideration, we have concluded that Chosen One Duncan will not be taken down from the position of Chosen One and will not be charged with any of the Great Rule allegations. We have spent many sleepless days discussing the different outcomes of this ruling. We have listened to every testimony and read every scroll of evidence sent to us. Thank you, Forrester Council, for bringing us this Article of Challenge. We, the Woodland Council, close this case.” Griff and the Article of Challenge committee read aloud to Rupert and the Forrester Council.
Rupert flew out into the dense woods, crying, “BREAKING: CHOSEN ONE DUNCAN WILL STAY THE CHOSEN ONE!”
A family of skunks sat outside of their hut, waiting for Rupert to fly by. When he finally did, there were yelps of joy.
“This is great! Just the outcome we wanted!” The father skunk said.
“I can’t believe they even thought of challenging Chosen One Duncan! It is outrageous. He should bring a case against the Forrester Council.” The youngest skunk said.
“That’s a great idea, Sector!” The mother skunk said. “Why don’t you draft a letter to Chosen One Duncan?”
On the other side of the forest, in the tall oak trees, the conversation had a different tone. The chipmunk family waited nervously for the news. When it was delivered, there were sighs of disappointment.
“This was not supposed to happen. There was so much evidence.” Kiwi, said, with dread filling their voice.
“I need fresh air.” Raindrop said, rocking back and forth.
“We are outside, honey.” Butter said, trying to be calming. “We need to know what’s gonna happen next.”
FEBRUARY {Witherod}
“And Goji-Rose on the rise. And we have an incompetent Chosen One. And… and… and… I need air.” Raindrop was now sitting down, rocking back and forth.
“We will be fine, Mom. We have a community. We will be fine, you hear me?” Kiwi.
“I know. Thank you, Kiwi.”
A day later, there was another broadcast;
“ELEVEN CONFIRMED CASES OF GOJI-ROSE. CHOSEN ONE SAYS THAT THE RIFE WILL HOPEFULLY BE WEAKER IN WARMER WEATHER AND THEN GONE. ANIMALS WONDER: HOW LONG WILL THIS GO ON?” Rupert cried from the ruins of a small part of the forest, where very few animals still lived.
Rumors were flowing through the forest.
“Gogi-Rose is not real.”
“Gogi-Rose is a man-made rife.”
“The Plains made it all up.”
Rupert was flying around, getting sources everywhere, saying six things at once. He was landing and then getting more scrolls. He was flying non-stop from dusk to dawn. Many citizens of the forest had no idea what to believe.
“There is not enough information!”
“Who are we supposed to listen to?”
There was the occasional statement from Chosen One Duncan. Scrolls were sent out most of the time, or Rupert would broadcast a message. The messages varied from “The rife is very much under control” to “Rife will ‘disappear’ one day “like a miracle”. Once this news was spread, people rejoiced.
FEBRUARY {Witherod}
The same conversation was happening all around the forest. When the news arrived, the chipmunk family was going on with their everyday lives.
“Did you hear? Gogi-Rose will disappear!” Kiwi ran up to the great oak tree.
“At least Witherod brings one piece of good news.” Raindrop was sitting down, reading the newest scroll sent out. “I guess our incompetent Chosen One pulled through.”
“But there are sixty cases of Gogi-Rose in the forest.” Butter said, joining in on the conversation.
“SIXTY CASES! WHAT!” Kiwi and Raindrop turned around in shock.
“Are you sure that is right? And how do you know?” Raindrop asked with panic in her eyes.
“Mom. Calm down; it is only 60 people. There are 329.5 million animals in the forest.” Kiwi was trying to calm down their mom.
“60 people might as well be the whole world.” Raindrop suddenly took a very calm turn. “We need to prepare. There might be a death any second now. We need to prepare.”
“We have gathered here to meet today because of the growing concern surrounding Gogi-Rose. We have been working on tracking this ailment. As you know, we put out a State of Concern for the Forest. That was in Guelder Rose. We are now declaring Gogi-Rose a rife. We recommend that all animals wear face conttonplasts, wash their paws with herbs, and stay in your huts if you are sick. How does that sound?” A group of scientists sat around a round table. They were from all over high society.
“It has to be. We have to put out this message today.” Dr. Bean sat in the middle of the table with a grim look on his face. “There is no good time to tell the forest news like this.”
“On top of that, Tweaker Duncan said that this rife is going away in the warmer weather. How are we supposed to break this news?” Dr. Ban asked.
“I don’t know, but we have to. We should get ready to broadcast the message.” Dr. Dutchington said, standing up.
All the animals arrived at an arena with a long wooden table and filed in. Rupert was the only one that was sitting in the audience.
“Hello, all. Thank you for tuning in today. We have gathered here to meet today because of the growing concern surrounding Gogi-Rose. We have been working on tracking this ailment. As you know, we put out a State of Concern for the Forest. That was in Guelder Rose. Today, the 11th of Thimbleberry, we are now declaring Gogi-Rose a rife. We recommend that all animals wear face V conttonplasts, wash their paws with herbs, and stay in your huts if you are sick. That is all for today, we understand how surprising this is, and we wish you all good health.” Dr. Bean read the message off of a scroll.
When the message finally reached the forest, there was an outcry. There was another family meeting in the skunk family.
“Chosen One Duncan did not say anything. The FHQ could be lying to control us. Nothing is official until our Chosen One says it is.” Sector said to
his little brothers. “And, Mom said that rumors are going all throughout the Forest that Gogi-Rose is not even real! We have nothing to worry about!” The little skunk babies ran through the hut.
They sang, “Gogi-Rose is not real! Gogi-Rose is not real! Gogi-Rose is not real!” until they tired themselves out.
Meanwhile, in the Swamp, there was a meeting taking place.
“Sir, GHQ has declared Gogi-Rose a rife. We suggest that you follow.” Avery Mycal, an aide to Chosen One Duncan, said.
“Well, write up a statement.” Chosen One Duncan sat at the head of the table. “And make it fast.”
Two days later, Duncan sat behind a wood table, with his team on either side of him.
“Today, 13th of Thimbleberry, I am declaring a Forest emergency. We are declaring this because we want our animals to be safe. My team is recommending that all Forestians, including the young and healthy, work to engage in schooling from our huts when possible. Avoid gathering in groups of more than ten animals. Avoid pointless travel. If everyone makes these critical changes and sacrifices now, we will rally together as one nation, and we will defeat this rife. And we’re going to have a big celebration altogether. With several weeks of focused action, we can turn the corner and turn it quickly.”
APRIL {Dewberries}
A couple of weeks later, the Chosen One’s team sat at the same table.
“Thank you for being here today. I promised that rife is going away, and it is going away. The sacrifices we make over the next four weeks will have countless Forestians lives saved. We’re going to save a lot of Forestians’ lives. Conttonplasts are going to be, really, a voluntary thing. You can do it. You don’t have to do it. I’m choosing not to do it, but some people may want to do it, and that’s OK. It may be good. Probably will. They’re making a recommendation. It’s only a recommendation.” At this point, all announcements were being broadcast by Rupert because there was a shelter in place order.
When Rupert flew by, there was already a product line going through the trees.
“Conttonplasts for sale! Come by the base of the tree! Homemade conttonplasts for sale!” Animals were hoisting baskets up and down the trees, some filled with conttonplasts, some filled with herbs.
“Protect yourself and your family! Get your herbs and conttonplasts today!” A squirrel called out from the tree.
A little further down, Kiwi and her family were making masks.
“Mom! Please pass me the stem. I am almost done with my sixth conttonplast. Kiwi called.
“Ok! Coming! Do you need more leaves?” Raindrop called from the other room.
“No. How are the herbs coming? OW!” Kiwi stabbed herself with a thorn.
“They’re coming. Are you ok?” Raindrop came waddling in with a stack of whole leaves.
“Mom. I told you I did not need whole leaves!” Kiwi said in an annoyed voice. “But I will take them.”
Many families were making homemade conttonplasts, primarily out of whole leaves and stems. Many animals were selling them. But many animals still decided not to wear them.
Chosen One Duncan said that the conttonplast was optional, and many animals took that as a reason not to wear conttonplasts. On the other hand, many animals could not afford conttonplasts, or the materials to make them. They resorted to wrapping scarfs around their faces or going out and finding their own leaves. The ADC had set up conttonplasts handout stations, where volunteers handed out free conttonplasts. Some were made out of the typical leaves, while others were made out of the Chestnut Oak leaves. There was a rhyme and rhythm until a couple of days later when Rupert came to deliver the news.
“CHOSEN ONE RUPERT HAS DECIDED TO HALT THE FOREST FUNDING THE FHQ: STATES THAT IT SEVERELY MISMANAGED AND COVERED UP THE SPREAD OF GOGI-ROSE,” Rupert cried.
“Why would the Chosen One do this? Where is the proof of any wrongdoing?” Raindrop, Kiwi, and Butter sat around the table eating dinner.
“I mean, is he going to even publish scrolls proving this outlandish statement?” Butter said.
“There’s no way to know what Duncan is going to do. Even accusing this is coming out of left field.
“All we can do is wait.” Raindrop said.
“Let him go!” A deer standing in a crowd of people shouted. Many people tried to push through the crowd, but Officer Barley Oliver held them back. “This is Animal Fuzz business. Step back.”
“He can’t breathe!” Cries of anger came from the crowd.
Outside of a small shop, Chip Rocky was facedown on the ground, and Officer Digger Dopey had his paw on his neck. Chip Rocky was accused of paying for some berries with counterfeit coins. The fuzz had arrived about ten minutes earlier. Samson Doug and Eddie Mortimer had pulled Chip Rocky out of his hooptie, tossed him against a tree, and put cuffs on him. Mr. Rocky did not get in the hooptie, and Officer Dopey, Doug, and Mortimer tried to force him into it. He was then held to the ground, with Dopey on his neck, Doug holding his legs, and Mortimer on his legs and wrists. Chip Rocky states multiple times that he could not breathe. The officers did nothing and continued to hold him down.
A deer cried, “Check his pulse.” At first, this was ignored, but it was echoed throughout the crowd, and Officer Mortimer finally did. Mr. Rocky did not have a pulse. Officer Dopey had his paw on Mr. Rocky’s neck for about six minutes. Two minutes later, the rescue transportation arrived. That night, Chip Rocky was killed at the hands of four fuzz officers.
The day after the killing, protests erupted everywhere. The chairman of the region where Chip Rocky was killed announced that all four officers would be terminated and would leave the fuzz. A couple of days later, on the 29th of Blackberry, Digger Dopey was taken into custody.
Protests were worldwide and in all 50 regions of the Forest. Every day, animals gathered where Chip Rocky was killed and protested. People poured out in protest, and the protest sometimes became violent. Photos were broadcast of shops on fire, and people walked away with resources. Scrolls were being published about Chip Rocky’s last minutes, and thousands of Forestians watched the video of the killing Chip Rocky.
The protests went on for weeks to come.
Rupert flew out of the Swamp with new information.
“CHOSEN ONE DUNCAN THREATENED TO DEPLOY THE FOREST’S MARTIAL AS A RESPONSE TO THE MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS”
This news puzzled many animals in the Forest. There had been mostly peaceful protests, with brutal fuzz backlash. That was not the only message that was confusing the animals.
In an interview, Chosen One Duncan said: “If we didn’t do testing, we’d have no cases.”
When this interview reached the homes of Forestians, it confused many of them. A deer family was discussing this interview.
“But, if there are no tests, won’t there be more deaths? And so many more cases will appear, and more people will spread Gogi-Rose. This is foolishness.” The mother deer said.
“At least he says there will be a vaccine by the end of the phase.” The father deer said. “And that means that we will be safe.”
“But. There are two million cases, and Duncan wants to open the Forest back up. That’s just irresponsible.” The mother deer started but was then interrupted by the toddler deer, “WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE!”
“Calm down, dear. We won’t die,” The father deer said in a calming voice. The fear of death echoed throughout many huts in the Forest. Animals still refused to shelter in place and wear conttonplasts, even though many regions had rules on this topic.
There were anti-conttonplasts protests, and animals used the argument, “My body, my choice.” Many of the same animals wanted to open up the Forest, even though the scientists showed that that would not be smart.
Chosen One Duncan put out many confusing messages. He was pushing to get the Forest open again. In an interview, he said this: “I think it’s time to start our Forest up again. And could we keep it shut longer? I don’t think so. I don’t think people would take it. And I think it would be the wrong thing to do.”
This worried many animals because millions of animals had Gogi-Berry, and people were starting to become less rigorous with the precautions due to the warmer temperatures. Many people began to gather indoors and outdoors. Less and less animals wore conttonplasts outdoors, and it seemed like the Forest was going back to normal.
“ARTIST SANDAOVAL PARLOW IS NOW IN THE RACE FOR CHOSEN ONE.” Rubert broadcasted.
“Mom, mom, mom! Did you hear? Sandaoval Parlow is in the race for Chosen One!” Sector ran into his hut.
“Yes! That is great! But you know where our support lies.” Sector’s mother was washing the dishes.
“I know. But… never mind.” Sector said, pausing.
“But what? You know, Tweaker Duncan has only the Forest’s benefit in mind.” His mother said, putting down the dishes.
“But… I like Sandaoval Parlow’s fashion line!” Sector said, running away.
Many other animals did not take Sandaoval Parlow’s application for the Chosen One seriously. There were rumors that he was only running for Chosen One to promote his new fashion drop. Animals were annoyed because votes were taken away from the other candidates, Chosen One Duncan and Former Vice Chosen One Arago Tarot. One supporter of Former Vice Chosen One Arago Tarot said:
“Don’t fall for this stunt, folks. Sandaoval is only trying to take votes away from Tarot so his buddy Duncan can win.” Many others voiced their protest, and some even made jokes about it. This came after the election was deep underway. Some animals thought Sandaoval had skipped steps to win.
“Can you even believe this publicity stunt that Sandaoval Parlow put in place?” Kiwi said after hearing Rupert’s broadcast. “And isn’t he a Duncan supporter?”
“Yeah. He is.” Butter said. “He is just taking away millions of votes.”
“And! On top of that, he has all the fame and fortune. Why does he want to be the Chosen One?” Raindrop asked.
“He only declared that he was running through a scroll. Are we even sure he is going to run?” Butter inquired.
“I’m sure that there will be documents published on what is happening. It will clear up all our questions. We just have to wait and see.” Raindrop said.
