Things had been quiet at the Bridge lately and No. 421 and Oliver were taking a much-needed rest. The garden had been planted and the raisin trees were doing well. No. 421 and Oliver were planning their "Farm Stand" when Bluebird came fluttering up to the fence post. "Hi Bluebird," Oliver said as he handed No. 421 the plans. "What have you got there"? Bluebird chirped a greeting and handed Oliver a ticket. "I has a ticket for a little girl named Midge," Bluebird said. "She passed rather suddenly and she doesn't know the family she has here so we has to treat this one with great care." "If we have to treat a cute little girl with great care, I'm the man for the job," Oliver said. "I have the greatest care for cute girls." No. 421 overheard this last comment and jumped up from his chair. "Oliver, you go get cleaned up," No. 421 said. ÂThen I want you to go to the Silver Stream and tell Ollie and Chunky to come to the Bridge. They will be able to help Midge get settled in. Thank you Bluebird; tell The Receiving Angel I'll be at the Bridge in a few minutes. And Oliver, save me some hot water." "Okay" she chirped and flew off. Oliver came rushing out of the cabin in his Sunday best and No. 421 just hoped he had left some hot water for him. Rushing into the cabin, he showered quickly and dressed for the greeting. As he slicked his hair down, his eye fell on Oliver's after-shave. Oliver was not old enough to shave yet, but he used the nice smelling lotion anyway. No. 421 arrived at the bridge just in time to see a cute little girl with a very short fuzzy coat step up onto the planks. She was a beauty, with the tiniest head and just a hint of a light brown coat. Oliver was just coming up the path with two ferrets in tow trying to explain about their family member they didn't know they had. The three ferrets stood and look at the little girl walking toward them. "What a coat," Oliver said to No. 421. "I'll bet its super soft, like baby fur." "Well you never mind about her fur, you just be kind, and sweet, and gentle with her," No. 421 said, "This girl is a real lady and you need to stop twitching your whiskers and pay attention to your manners." Ollie and Chunky stood motionless. She was so pretty with the morning sun shining on her head. "Well, hello there," she called. "I'm Midge, and where am I? I'm glad to see you as I was beginning to wonder where everyone went. I went to sleep and woke up here. By the way, who are you? What is that smell -- I'm, going to sneeze." Midge sneezed twice than said she just could not be around that flower or what ever it was. She sneezed again and Chunky took her little paw and led her down the path a ways. Shooting star called Gentle Breeze to blow the scent in the other direction while she asked Midge if there was a message to send home? "Please tell my Mom thank you for the real nice home she gave me," Midge said. "Tell her she was a wonderful Mom and I'm sending love and kisses to her. Tell her I met Chunky and Ollie, and we will be waiting with the rest of the kids I'm going to meet for her." The three ferrets skipped down the path and Oliver and No. 421 just watched. No. 421 looked at Oliver and just shook his head. Better get back to the cabin and out of your good clothes," he said. "What ever you are wearing sure got her attention!" Oliver blushed to the tips of his ears. "She didn't even see me," he said. "How could she," No. 421 said. "She shut her eyes when she sneezed." The two friends walked slowly back to the cabin. Oliver changed clothes, reread the directions on the after-shave again, put the empty bottle in the trash and put the kettle on for tea. No. 421 wrote in his logbook, Mission accomplished. Midge arrived, and was met by family that took her under their paw and back to their compound. She is a lovely little lady, she sent her message home, and I have no doubt she will fit right in. Just to be sure, I will check in on her in a few days. [Posted in FML 6723]