The Story of The Night Journey
It was a dark and quiet night when Arcadius the Badger and his steadfast companion, Remus the Squirrel, traveled along the blackened forest path. The world around them felt hushed, as though the trees themselves were holding their breath. Their only guides were the shimmering stars above, the gentle flicker of Remus’s tiny torch, and the warm glow of Arcadius’s acorn lantern swinging from his walking stick.
They had been journeying so long that time felt slippery, as if the hours were pebbles rolling through their paws. Yet they pressed on, trusting the compass at Arcadius’s belt to guide them toward their destination, wherever it truly lay.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of rogue mice crouched within a tangle of brambles nearby. Their whiskers twitched with mischief as they watched the travelers approach. “I’ll make a diversion,” whispered one mouse, “while you grab the badger’s compass.” Their beady eyes gleamed with anticipation. They had become infamous in the forest for their nimble paws and silent heists.
But tonight, luck was not on their side.
High in the shadows of the branches above, Owl kept watch. He had been searching for those very mice after falling victim to their antics—namely, the theft of his favorite reading glasses. Owl was determined to reclaim his dignity and put an end to their troublemaking ways.
As Arcadius and Remus passed the bramble bush, one mouse darted out to tickle Remus’s tail, hoping to cause chaos. But before the second mouse could leap for the compass, Owl swooped. With a whoosh of feathers and a sharp glare, he plucked the scheming mouse from the ground and disappeared into the treetops.
Arcadius let out a long breath. “That was a close one.”
With the danger behind them, the badger and squirrel continued on, their lights glowing softly as the night swallowed them once more.