Day 3

After the Storm

Morning came very quick for the pigs; they didn’t get to sleep until very late because of the storm.  They woke up very tired and damp and tried to find something dry to put on, but everything was wet.  They looked around the cabin, or what was left of it to see what damage was done.  Most of the roof and walls needed a lot of repair.  

“Billy, it looks like we have to start all over,” Bobby said.

“It looks that way,” Billy replied.   

“Good morning boys” a voice from outside the cabin said.  

The pigs went outside. It was the wolf.  “Good morning Professor Fir,” the pigs replied.

“Looks like you boys had a rough night,” the wolf said, walking around the cabin and looking at the damage.  

“You were right” Billy said. “We did build the cabin to close to the stream.”  

“I won’t say I told you so, but did you learn anything from what happened?”  

“We did” the pigs replied, “We learned to think things through and listen to any advice before we start a project. If we had listened to you we would still have a cabin.”

“Well why don’t you boys come to my cabin, breakfast is almost ready. I’ve got hot oatmeal, toast and orange juice.  I also might have some dry clothes for you to put on until, your clothes dry.”  

“Thank you,” the pigs replied, as they followed the wolf up the trail to his cabin.  

It was a short walk into the woods and they were there. The wolf had a very nice cabin.  It was very strong and sat up on a stone foundation, with heavy logs for the walls and strong planks for the roof. “You have a very nice cabin Professor” Billy said.

“Thank you” the wolf said smiling at the boys.  “It was hard work but it did turn out very nice. Now come inside and get dry.”

As the pigs put on some dry clothes, the wolf set two more places at the table.  

“Before you eat, boys, I want you to call your parents, and let them know where you are so they don’t worry.  It’s always good to let your parents or a friend know where you are in case you get in trouble and need help,” the wolf told the boys.  “And ask them if it would be alright if you stayed here for a few nights until you get your cabin fixed.”

Billy called his parents and told them everything that happened. When he finished talking he said goodbye and hung up the phone.  “Dad said we can stay as long as it is no trouble for Professor Fir.”  

“It’s no trouble boys,” the wolf said. “The company will be nice. Now let’s eat. We have to make plans to build you a new cabin.”  

After eating breakfast the pigs helped clean up and do the dishes. Once the dishes were done and the table was cleared, the wolf took out some large pieces of paper.  

‘What’s that for?” Billy asked.

“To draw the plans,” the wolf replied. “We have to know where and how big the rooms are going to be. Let’s start with the number of rooms.”

The pigs and the wolf working together drew the plans for the new cabin.  It had a nice living room with a fireplace, a bedroom and a kitchen.  It also had an attic bedroom for visitors. The pigs were very excited.

“What do you think Professor Fir?” Bobby asked. “It looks awfully big for the two of us to build.”  

The wolf laughed, “Oh, it’s much too big for you to build; you will need a lot of help.”

“But who will help us?” Billy asked, “We don’t know anyone.”  

“Well,” the wolf said, “you will see that you have many friends and neighbors in the Woodland.  Here we have learned that friendship and caring for one another makes life easier and a lot more fun.”  

“We don’t have any friends here in the Woodland,” Billy said.

“That’s true” the wolf said, “but I have many friends, and because you two are my new friends, I am sure they would be glad to help so let’s go ask them.”  

“O.K.” the pigs said as they put on their shoes.

They left the cabin and walked with the wolf up the trail until they came to a large cave in the side of the mountain.

“Who lives in there,” Bobby asked.  

“This is where Brownie the bear lives. He’s a good friend and very strong. We need him to help move the large rocks and logs needed to build the cabin.”  

There was an old bell hanging from a tree branch. The wolf shook the branch and the bell rang.  “I’m coming, I’m coming” a voice said from inside the cave.  It almost sounded like a growl.  Out of the dark cave stepped a large brown bear wearing blue jeans and a red plaid shirt. “Professor Fir, what brings you here this early in the morning?” the bear asked.  

“Well,” the wolf replied, “I would like you to meet two of my new friends, Billy and Bobby Hoggs; they are going to be our new neighbors.”  

The bear smiled “how do you do, it’s very nice to meet you.”  

“It’s very nice to meet you Mr. Bear” the pigs replied.  

“Ho! Ho!” the bear laughed. “It’s been a long time since anyone has called me Mr. Bear. It is nice to see you young men showing me respect, and I thank you, but if we are going to be friends you may call me Brownie.”

“Yes sir” the pigs replied.

The bear turned to the wolf and asked, “Professor would you, Bobby and Billy like some breakfast?”

“No thanks Brownie,” the wolf replied, “we have already eaten, but you go ahead, and we will talk to you later.”  

” Well come in and sit,” said the bear as he put his arm around the wolf and the pigs and led them into the cave.

The cave was very big and dark but the cook fire gave off enough light so they could see.  They sat down, and as the bear ate, Professor Fir explained to Brownie what had happened to the pigs, and how they needed his help in building a new cabin.

“I would be glad to help” Brownie said, patting his belly. “When do you want to start building?”  

“Tomorrow, if possible,” the wolf replied.

“Wonderful” said the bear, “we’ll start at day break.”

Billy and Bobby smiled, “Thank you Brownie, thank you very much.”

“You’re very welcome boys, I’ll see you tomorrow. We’re going to have a lot of fun,” the bear said, as the pigs and the wolf left.

Billy turned to the wolf, “Professor, I like Brownie. I hope we become good friends.”

“You must work at friendship” the wolf replied, “but once he is your friend, he will be one of your very best friends.”

The wolf took the pigs on a walk through the Woodland around the stream so they would get to know some of their other neighbors.  Most of their neighbors were not home but they did get to meet Randy and Raymond, two beavers that were playing in the stream.  

“Hello beavers,” the wolf said.

“Hello,” replied Randy and Raymond, “who is that with you?”  

“These are my two new friends Billy and Bobby Hoggs.”

“Hello,” said the beavers.

“Hello,” the pigs replied.  

The wolf told the beavers about the cabin that they were going to build and asked if they would like to help.  

“Sure!” said the beavers, “we’ll cut you all the wood you need.”

“That’s fine” the wolf said, turning to the pigs. “Randy and Raymond are the best wood cutters in the whole Woodland.”  

Waving to the beavers, the pigs and the wolf left, and headed back to the Wolfs’ cabin.  It was getting late and the sun was going down. “Are you boys ready for dinner?” the wolf asked.  

“We’re starving,” both pigs answered at the same time.

After a dinner of hot vegetable soup, homemade biscuits and milk, and strawberries and cream for dessert, the pigs helped clean up and got ready for bed.

“Good night Professor” the pigs called out from the bedroom.  

“Good night,” he replied. “Remember tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

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