Gregory
Written and as told by David Itamae
In the wilds of the worlds biggest forrest. The sun beats down upon the land with a blessing shine. The birds sing the tunes of their ancestors and the animals are all laughing and playing. All the while a mother gives birth to a tiny new addtion to her home.
The labor was a bit difficult that bright shiny day. However that did not stop the smiles that passed on everyones lips. The mother saw her new born gasping for the first time air in its tiny little lungs. I name you Gregory she told him with a lil prickly smile.
Gregory was a hedgehog like all other hedgehogs he was playful and curious. He would dash from here to there with but a little thought. He would love to roll with his tiny quills getting them stuck in most of the forrest bed. To his mothers pain however for she had to clean out every spec of dirt each and every day.
As Gregory grew older his curiousness also grew. He would have adventures around the forrest that would make his mother cringe with fear. Soon all the dwellers knew him as "Gregory the Brave." It was something Gregory came to cherish in his youth.
Soon the years were hard on the inhabitants. Deadly winters and dry summers kept the forrest from being the peaceful place it had been known for. Noone was immune to the deadly forcers of nature. Even Gregory lost his father to a small flood. Though his mother grieved she soon found comfort in Gregory for he told her that he would try to make things alright for her.
Gregory the brave did exactly what he said he would. His mother was overjoyed at this new found endurance. Though inexperienced at the ways to keep his family safe he was a quick learner. Soon another problem would affect his heart.
Man had entered the premises needing land for housing. The forrest was being demolished at an alarming rate. Gregory had seen tragedies unfold like never before. So he decided that his family was not only the family he protected when his father passed but to all the creatures of the forrest.
One day a large elk had come across the lands and got caught in a barbed fense. As the elk got freed he cut his leg upon some of the barbs. Fleeing into the woods he came across the home of Gregory. He told him what had happened and Gregory went to work.
He first got some soothing paste and grabbed some leafs deep within the old trees. He tied some string leafs together making them nice and tight. He brought all these things before the elk and placed them all neatly before him.
He told the elk "this may sting a little". So he rolled himself into a little ball and went around the elks leg. Picking up all the debre that had gotten trapped with his little quills. He collected all the dried blood and parts that were not used to making a scab.
He placed the paste on first. Checking to be sure that all areas were covered for signs of infection. Then he placed the big leafs on the paste, patting each one to ensure they stayed on there. Lastly he tied the string leaf and knotted it with his special "Gregory knott"
The elk was so overjoyed that he bowed to Gregory with his head telling him " I will be sure to let all the creatures of the forrest know what has happened here this day." With that the elk trotted away in the forrest.
It wasnt long when gregory had many visitors. Creatures far and wide came to him looking for anything to help ease the pains the world has seen. Gregory tried to see many but it was overwhelming and he needed a break. However need was great on his heart so he pressed onward.
The months came swiftly with the destruction of the forrest. Gregory's home was destroyed and abandoned. The humans had seen to the new dream homes completion. The fenses were up and the vehicals were in the driveways. The forrest animals in an effort to ensure their safety took Gregory into the deep woods and help him set up his home. Everyone chipped in to make the home quickly done in hopes gregory could save them.
Winter came early that year and elk were abundant. So abundant infact that the humans had placed a special season to hunt them. Many Elk were killed and some were wounded. So Gregory tried as he could biting down on the fragments left by man.
It was nearly the last of the hunt. The elk were all but exstict in the forrest. So the visits to him were shorter now. So that day Gregory went out to do some venturing he came across a young elk grazing on some grass. It was then suddenly he heard a shap sound. The elk who had been grazing fell to his side.
Gregory in horror tred to do some immediate treatment. the Elk breathed in deep and was beginning to feel life leave him. As he breathed Gregory jump on him and tried to stop the bleeding. It was much but Gregory tried as hard as he could. It was then Gregory saw a man holding a large metal object come toward him.
The man looked down and saw Gregory ontop of the dying elk. "Well would you look at that. What a sight" the man said softly. "Even the animals take care of each other". Suddenly the man went to his knees and applied a bandage around the elk. He called his buddies to come help him so they came and brought a vehical. Loading the elk into the back they sped away quickly.
Some time later the man returned to where he had seen Gregory and the elk. Talking loudly as if by chance the animals could hear him said. "Never before has this old heart seen something so amazing as what I witnessed this eve. The elk will be fine the bullet ddint pierce anything serious. I give my word that my hunting days are over. I also will be placing a bid on the land so that it will be protected from now on. "
The forrest rejoicedthat day and all days after. The man had indeed made good on his promise and bought the land. The place was dedicated to all walks of life. Lots of vistiors came and went admiring the beauty of the nature surrounding them.
A few years later Gregory passed on leaving his legacy to his children. As it turns out they grew to be fine examples of their father. So the forrest was always ready for anything nature had to throw at them because the Family of Gregory was always ready to push back a little harder.
