Yeah, Sammi exclaimed, jumping up and down. Tell us a story, Mr. Owl! Well, legend has it, Owl began. That over a decade ago, a huge portion of the total population of wild black-footed ferrets was captured by a wolf turned bad...his name is Fang. Thus the status of the black-footed ferrets in the United States has been listed as endangered ever since, and their fate looks rather bleak. But if some brave souls dare enter the Evil Swampland and release them from captivity, then their numbers will be sufficient enough for de-listing as endangered. But no one has ever returned from that dark, damp, and downright ugly place alive! Surely the ferrets are doomed! Poor ferrets! Foxie gasped, taken by the drama of the fable. Where is this scary place? Maxie asked. To the east, Owl pointed with his wing. I m not afraid of anything, Rosie stated. And certainly not some big, bad wolf! Uh, Wiggles interjected. Wait a minute here. I can take on an army of wolves! Rosie added, standing upright on her back legs. Are you crazy? Wiggles asked. Owl has warned us not to go there! I wanna go, Sammi said. Maybe they got raisins there. I m game. Maxie declared. Besides, Rosie exclaimed. If we don t help those black-footed ferrets, no one else will! We d be letting our wild cousins down! She has a point, Buzz noted. Fine, Wiggles said. Count me in. But I d like to remind you that this is insane. What about you, Griz? Rosie asked. Naw, Griz answered, walking away, Sounds dangerous to me. Catch you guys later. I really think that you folks should reconsider this notion, Owl stated. Urggggluggg... he muttered as he spit something out of his mouth and onto the ground at their feet. What is that? Sammi asked. That is disgusting, Wiggles remarked. It s got bones and fur in it, Rosie stated, looking with awe at the ovular object. Excuse me, Owl said. I just had a snack, and it came back up a bit early. What the heck IS that? Maxie asked. That is a pellet, Owl answered. We owls and hawks spit those up after we have had a meal...usually consisting of small rodents. We swallow our prey whole, and our stomachs can t handle the fur and bones, so up it comes! Pretty efficient, eh? Still looks gross to me, Wiggles stated. Can I keep it for my Dad? Rosie asked, putting it in the crinkle sack. Sure, Owl remarked. Be my guest. There are more where that came from, if you d like them... No thanks, Wiggles declared. One is fine with us...really. So, Owl said. I hope that you heed my warning and stay out of that wicked place. Only trouble can come from venturing into such a realm. Let s go, guys, Rosie stated. Her three sisters, Foxie, and Buzz followed. Uh, Owl called after them. It is a very dangerous quest...why don t you reconsider... Anyway, Rosie said. It s getting dark. We should really find a place to sleep for the night. They continued walking east through the forest, single file...ferrets, fox, and vulture... Yeah, I m getting a bit sleepy. Maxie yawned, as they trooped through the dense trees and foliage. Twilight had begun in the forest. A few minutes later they heard voices coming from behind a ring of trees ahead of them. Who s that? Sammi stated, with wide eyes. Let s find out, Rosie said, running to look. Yeah, Maxie added. Maybe they got fleece-lined, sleep sacks. And raisins, Sammi declared. Don t forget the raisins. How did I ever agree to coming along on such an absurd venture? Wiggles grumbled, chasing after her sisters. Foxie and Buzz followed close behind. They reached the outskirts of the place where the voices had come from, and peeked their heads around the cover of a large tree to get a closer look... Stanley! A man said, dressed in rugged clothing, Pass the hooch! Another man clumsily handed him a bottle, almost burning his arm in the campfire that was blazing in front of the three men. Aw, the third man added. You drunken fools couldn t shoot a gobbler if he were standin on yer nose. Shut up, Jim Bob, Stanley said. Before I decide to come over there and shoot YOU! You and what army? the third man replied. Both of ya shut up, yelled the first man. Their shotguns were leaning all in a row up against the nearest tree, and a dozen steel traps, not unlike the one that Foxie had been caught in, were lying in a pile next to the rifles. Those are the jerks that hurt my leg! Foxie whispered loudly to the others. Yeah, Rosie whispered even louder, Let s get em. (to be continued...) [Posted in FML issue 1662]