No. 421 was dozing in his chair at the Rainbow Bridge when there was a
whoosh of wings and the Receiving Angel dropped down beside him.

"No. 421" he said. "Oliver has gone over to the Ferretone Falls with
his friends, Bluebird is off with his friends, so I am bringing this
new ticket to you myself. The Boss told me to tell you to take special
care of this one, he has no other family here, and we don't want him
to be lonesome. He is counting on you."

"Huh uh," said No. 421. "I'll do my best, let's see, boy named Buddy --
no ferret family here, oh my, sounds like he needs more help than I
can give him."

"Well, here is the ticket, and when you get done, send it back with
Oliver tomorrow," the Receiving Angel said. "I have to get back to my
post so just do your best."

In a swish, he was gone. No. 421 sat down and waited. Pretty soon there
was the sound of paws on the bridge, and a little ferret boy came
toddling over.

"Hello little feller," said No. 421. "And what might your name be? Is
it Buddy? I'm waiting for a boy named Buddy.'

"I'se be Buddy," the little ferret said. "Where is this place, and
where is my brudders and sisters? I want to go home."

"Well Buddy," No. 421 said. "This will be your new home now. This is
the Rainbow Bridge. You came here from earth, and you will have to
stay until the rest of your family gets here."

"But, I don't know anyone," Buddy cried. "I had a big family, and now
I'm alone."

"I know how you feel," No. 421 said. "I was a breeder ferret on earth,
and I don't even have a name, just a number. When I arrived here, I
was lonesome too. But, I made friends and now, I really like it here."

Buddy was not so sure; he sat down and looked back over the bridge. He
had a great home with great people, and lots of ferret kids.

No. 421 sat and thought about Buddy. He had to find a home where he
would be with family until his real family came for him. Maybe he could
live with Oliver, well, that would not work, most of the time, Oliver
was with him. Just then, the most delicious smells drifted across the
Meadow of Dreams.

"Sniff, sniff, ooohhhh what is that," Buddy said. "It smells wonderful,
what is it No. 421?"

No. 421 sat up straight in his chair. Bakin' Bertha was baking cookies
again. "Wait a minute," No. 421 thought to himself. "Bakin' Bertha had
just opened up a bakery and she and Honey were doing a good business.
Maybe they could use some help?"

"Buddy, would you like to live with a wonderful lady and her helper
until your family gets here?" No. 421 said. "I'll bet she could use you
to gather wood, maybe bring water, and you would have a room and plenty
to eat. Let's go and see if she needs help."

Taking little Buddy by the paw No. 421 led the way to Bakin' Berthas
home. When they arrived Honey was just taking a batch of her Paw Print
Cookies out of the oven. Wiping her hands on her apron, Honey opened
the door when she saw No. 421 walking down the path.

"Hi there," Honey said. "Whom did you bring us today?"

"Hi Honey, Hi Bakin' Bertha -- I needs to ask you a favor," No. 421
said. "You run outside and let Honey show you around, No. 421 said to
Buddy. I needs to talk."

Honey said she needed to draw some water so Buddy said he would come
along.

No. 421 was looking at those wonderful cookies when Bakin' Bertha
poured him a cup of ferretone tea and pushed the plate of cooling
cookies over to him.

"Now No. 421, what can I do for you?" Bakin' Bertha said.

"Bakin' Bertha, I needs to find a home for Buddy here," No. 421 said.
"He is the first of a Bakers Dozen of ferrets to arrive, and he has no
one here and no place to go. I heard you was looking for someone to
help with the chores. Now Buddy here would be a good hand at that."

Bakin' Bertha said she had been thinking about taking in a border and
she had added an extra couple of rooms but she was not sure he could
do the job.

Just then a tinkle of dooks drifted through the window, and No. 421 and
Bakin' Bertha looked out. Honey and Buddy were dooking their way up the
path, and Buddy was carrying two bucket of water for Honey.

The two ferrets approached the door, Honey held it open for Buddy, and
in they came.

"Now you sit down here after all that work," Honey said. " I'll fix you
some tea and you can have some cookies."

Bakin' Bertha smiled at No. 421. "This will work out just fine," she
said.

Buddy was on his third cookie when Bakin' Bertha asked him if he would
like to live with her and Honey just until some of his family came?

Buddy took one more cookie and smiled. "I guess I could do that," he
said. "I could help with the chores, you are a very good cook, and
maybe later I could make a home for my family."

"Then it is all settled," Bakin' Bertha said. "Thank you No. 421 this
will work. Here are some cookies for you to take home. Be sure to give
a couple to Oliver."

No. 421 patted Buddy on the shoulder and said he would see him around.
Then he walked up the path with a bag of cookies in his paw.

Home alone in his cabin he thought life is good here, Bakin' Bertha had
a helper, Buddy had a home with Bakin' Bertha who was a good ferret
Mama, he had cookies, and while he had not heard from the Big Boss yet,
he was sure He would be happy too.

[Posted in FML 6285]