EPISODE 6
On a sunny Sunday morning, Charlie, the golden retriever with a heart as big as his smile, was bursting with excitement. His owners, Tad and El, were preparing for a long drive into the countryside, and Charlie loved nothing more than feeling the wind rush through his golden fur.
As Tad and El packed the car with snacks and a picnic blanket, Charlie fetched his favorite chew toy and placed it by the door. He couldn’t wait to explore new scents, chase butterflies, and maybe even splash in a stream. Yet, as he glanced back at the house, his tail wagged with a touch of sadness.
There, peeking through the window, were his best friends: Lisa, the agile squirrel with her bushy tail, and Shadow, the sleek black cat with wise green eyes. They had spent countless days playing in the yard, sharing adventures and dreams. Now, as Charlie was about to embark on a new journey, he wished more than anything that they could join him.
Charlie let out a soft whine, which Tad noticed immediately. “What’s wrong, buddy?” Tad asked, kneeling to scratch behind Charlie’s ears.
Charlie looked back at the house, then at Tad, his brown eyes filled with a longing that words could not express. Tad followed Charlie’s gaze and understood. “You’ll miss your friends, won’t you?” Tad said gently.
El joined them, and together they came up with an idea. They couldn’t bring Lisa and Shadow on the ride, but they could bring a piece of them along. Tad fetched a small acorn from Lisa’s stash and tied it to Charlie’s collar, while El took a soft bell from Shadow’s toy and attached it next to the acorn.
“There,” El said with a smile. “Now they’re coming with us, in a way.”
Charlie’s tail thumped against the floor. He felt the acorn and heard the gentle tinkle of the bell. It was as if Lisa and Shadow were right there beside him. With his spirits lifted, Charlie hopped into the car, ready for the day’s adventure.
As the car rolled away, Charlie watched Lisa and Shadow fade into the distance, but their presence remained close to his heart. And as the countryside flew by, with every jingle of the bell and every bump that brushed the acorn, Charlie knew that friendship was not bound by distance, and adventures were meant to be shared, even if only in spirit.
In the morning, as Charlie was chasing butterflies in the garden, he overheard a group of sparrows chirping excitedly about the majestic geese that lived in the mountains far away. They spoke of crystal-clear lakes reflecting the sky, where the geese would glide gracefully, their feathers shimmering in the sunlight. Charlie’s ears perked up, and his tail wagged with excitement. He had heard tales of the mountains before, but never about the geese. At that moment, Tad and El decided they would embark on a journey to see the mountains and fields and Charlie thought to himself, and the geese.
With a backpack filled with his favorite treats and a cozy blanket, Charlie, Tad, and El set off towards the mountains. The journey was long and the paths were winding, but Charlie’s spirit was undeterred. They crossed lush green fields, trotted through bustling market towns, and navigated dense forests. Along the way, he made friends with creatures big and small, each sharing stories and guiding him closer to his destination.
As minutes turned into hours, Charlie finally reached the foot of the mountains. The air was crisp, and the scent of pine filled his nostrils. He began his ascent, his paws padding softly on the moss-covered ground. The climb was steep, and the terrain rugged, but the thought of the geese kept him going.
At last, they reached the summit, and what Charlie saw took his breath away. Before him lay a series of magnificent lakes, their surfaces so still they looked like glass. And there, just as the sparrows had described, were the geese. They were beautiful, with long necks and bright eyes, moving in harmony as if performing a silent ballet.
Charlie sat by the lake for hours, watching the geese. He felt a sense of peace and fulfillment wash over him. He had completed his journey, found the geese, and in doing so, had found a new piece of himself. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Charlie knew it was time to return home. But this time, he would carry with him the memories of the mountains, the lakes, Gandalf, and the geese that danced upon the water. 
And so, Charlie made his way back to The Villages, his heart full of adventure and stories to tell. His friends Lisa and Shadow greeted him with joy, eager to hear about his travels and the mirrored lakes. Charlie, the golden retriever from The Villages, had become Charlie, the traveler, the storyteller, the dog who chased not just butterflies but his dreams.
©Copywrite 2024 Jeff Kahn