Free Tales From the Glades of Ballymore by Bob Brooks, Karen Ross Ohlinger Page B

hundred and fifty feet and slightly uphill.  Petunia always used two small pails and a cart to transport the water.  The pails were emptied into a trough next to the kitchen.  From there the water would be distributed as needed.  The amount of water required varied depending upon how much it had rained and how much baking had to be done.  Today, she needed ten trips worth of water.
     
    Usually, Sofie or Seely Squirrel helped her cart water, but neither were there yet.  The two squirrels have been helping Petunia since Peter passed.  They mostly handled distribution of the bake goods but also worked in the kitchen and garden.
     
    As Finn helped haul the water, he was trying to figure out an easier way to bring water to the garden.  A scheme popped into his head.
     
    “Mrs. Porcupine, I have an idea about the water,” Finn said with great enthusiasm.
     
    “What is that?” she asked.  She was glad he was thinking about water and not ants.
     
    “We could dig a ditch from the pond to the garden, and the water would flow automatically to where you want it.  It would save a lot of carting.”
     
    She thought about the idea for a while.  Finally, she said, “I certainly like the idea of having the water come to the garden, but I don’t like the idea of having a trench in my yard.  Someone might trip in it.”
     
    Finn said, “Hmmm.  Okay.  There must be a better way.”
     
    “I’ve got it," he said excitedly.  “We can dig UNDER the pond.”
     
    “What!  Whatever do you mean?” she blurted.
     
    “First, we dig a hole near the garden.  Near the bottom of the hole, we can dig another hole that will run to the pond.  Water would flow through the hole to the garden.  Then, you could scoop the water out and use it as needed.  Hurrah!”
     
    Finn was almost jumping out of his jeans with excitement.
     
    “Your idea certainly sounds interesting but complicated.  Who would dig these holes?” she asked.
     
    Finn answered instantly, “THE MOLES.”
     
    “Let me think about it a little longer,” said Petunia.  “It will work!  It will work!” said the frog, repeating himself.  Now, he was excited!  This was the kind of adventure he liked.  “I’m going to talk to the moles right now.”
     
    Off he hopped as fast as he could.
     
    Petunia thought of getting Bartholomew’s opinion on the project, but she knew he was very busy with building the new boat.  She smiled and wondered what would become of all this.
     
    It was only about a five minute hop south from Mrs. Porcupine’s cottage to the moles’ cottage.
     
    The moles’ cottage had only one room.  That is, it had only one room above ground.  That was the parlor and was for receiving guests.  In the floor was a lockable trap door that opened to a narrow passage, which sloped downward, and led to the rest of the rooms.  Not many other animals were small enough to use that passageway.
     
    You will not be surprised to hear that the moles’ primary occupation was tunneling.  The children, Merwin and Melrose, were still learning the trade.
     
    When Finn arrived, the brothers were out in the front yard digging a hole.  The three had played together for years and were good friends.
     
    “Hi, guys,” he said.
     
    “Hi, Finn,” they replied in unison.
     
    Finn told them of his water project, and the moles were very interested.  They had never done a project on their own.  This was an opportunity to prove themselves to their parents.  From that point of view, it was obvious that they would agree to get involved and they did.  Finn and the moles headed towards Mrs. Porcupine’s cottage to study the situation in more detail.  On the way they took a detour so that the moles could show Finn the family’s latest tunnel project.  It was a very complicated job and needed the full attention of their parents. 
     
    Shortly after Finn left, Sofie Squirrel  came to open the bakery counter, and Petunia began her