Jasper's Journey

I thought anyone who loves kids and stories might enjoy this post.

Jasper’s Journey

Jasper was a baby raccoon. He lived in the hollow trunk of an old willow tree with his family. He loved his home in the thick forest, but he had one problem. Jasper was afraid of everything.

“You should have been a cat,” Binky the rabbit teased. “Then we could call you fraidy cat.”

“I’ll show them I’m not a fraidy cat.” Jasper waved his clenched paw in the air.

“I’m going to visit the other side of the forest!”

Jasper’s friend Squiggy, the squirrel, wanted to play. Squiggy plopped down in front of Jasper and stared into his dark eyes.

 “Why do you look so sad?” Jasper put his head between his paws.

“I need courage, Squiggy. I’m afraid to visit the other side of the forest.” 

“Do you remember the story about David and Goliath we learned last week in Sunday school?”

“Yes, God gave courage to a little shepherd boy.” Jasper clapped his paws together. “Squiggy, do you think God would give me courage?”

“Yep, I do!” Squiggy nodded his head. “The Bible is full of encouraging stories.”

Jasper looked at Squiggy and said, “I don’t think God wants me to be afraid, do you Squiggy? “Heck no.” Squiggy high-fived Jasper.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Jasper followed his bushy tailed friend down the tree. “This is high adventure!” Jasper shouted. “Yippppeee!”

“Jasper, We’ve been traveling a while, do you know where we are?”

“Squiggy gazed up at the clouds in the sky.

“No, but there’s a big buck over there. Maybe we can ask him.” 

“Where are you going?” The buck wanted to help.

“We’re a little bit lost.” Squiggy replied.

“We’re trying to find the other side of the forest.” Jasper panted.

 “No problem. I’ll take yah.” Jasper and Squiggy jumped on the buck’s back.

          . “We’ve made it to the other side of the forest, Squiggy.” Jasper cried. They jumped off the buck and rushed to see this new land.

“Jasper, how do you like my side of the forest?” The buck inquired.

“Oh, I like it a lot.” Squiggy noticed the sun beginning to set.

“Jasper, we’d better hurry home before it gets dark.”

Jasper froze. He heard an unusual noise. Grrrrrrowl!”  A ferocious cougar sprung from the bushes. Squiggy bolted up a tree. Jasper didn’t move. His little body shook, but his determined eyes locked with the cougar. He suddenly remembered David and Goliath. He picked up a rock and with all the strength he could muster, hurled it at the cougar. The rock sailed through the air and hit the cougar between the eyes. The dazed cougar yelped and ran away.

“You saved our lives.” Squiggy cheered. The buck agreed. “Let’s get going.”

When Jasper arrived on his side of the forest, his mother ran to greet him.

“Were you a good boy today?” “I sure was.” Jasper blushed.

“I fought off a ferocious cougar with a rock.” Jasper got courage,” Squiggy said.

Jasper’s face beamed. He was the proudest raccoon in the whole forest.