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.

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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.

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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 FOREST HAS DECLARED A NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY CONCERN.”

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.

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.