Christmas at Stony Creek Read Free

capable as anyone. It’s all in knowing where to look. Have you tried the banks along Turtle Pond?”
    “Yes. There’s nothing left.”
    “Hmm, how about Hollow Log? No, that’s no good. That greedy Badger told me he’d picked it clean.” Aunt Pitty sniffed. “Laughed about it, too.”
    She was busily stuffing things into a burlap bag. “I can give you some seeds and some berries,” she said, “but I’m clean out of nuts of any kind.”
    “But what about you?” said Pip. She longed to ask Aunt Pitty about Land’s End but didn’t dare. Aunt Pitty would tell Mama for sure.
    “Don’t worry about an old rabbit like me. I hardly eat anything these days.” Aunt Pitty put the sack on the floor next to Pip’s chair and rested her warm paw on the top of Pip’s head. “You just have to keep digging and scratching,” she said, looking into Pip’s eyes. “Even if it takes all day.”
    “It’s hard,” Pip said in a small voice. “Sometimes I’m afraid.”
    “We’re all afraid of something,” Aunt Pitty saidkindly. “No one’s expecting you to turn brave overnight. Braveness is earned one step at a time, Pip. The first step’s usually the hardest. Don’t give up. You’ll get there.”
    Aunt Pitty settled herself into the chair beside the wood-burning stove and patted her lap. “Now, come over here and sit for a bit. Aunt Pitty will sing you a song.”
    Pip climbed gratefully onto Aunt Pitty’s lap and snuggled down.
    Maybe she would never have to take the first step, she thought. Maybe she could stay here, safe and warm, until Papa got home.
    Pip closed her eyes and listened.

chapter 6
Owl!
    P ip, wake up.”
    Pip reluctantly abandoned the warm comfort of sleep and sat up. “Is it Papa?” she said, rubbing her eyes. “Is he home?”
    “No, it’s not Papa.” For a minute Aunt Pitty’s kind face looked sad. Then she smiled. “You slept for an hour,” she said. “You’d better get going. It gets dark awfully early these days.”
    Pip followed her back down the tunnel to the door.

    “Take good care, now,” said Aunt Pitty, winding Pip’s scarf around her neck. “Don’t let this beautiful day trick you.” Pip grabbed her stick as Aunt Pitty held open the door. “Remember,” Aunt Pitty said, “everyone out there is as hungry as you are.”
    “I’ll be careful,” said Pip.
    Aunt Pitty’s sack was a reassuring weight against Pip’s back as she hurried down the slope to Stony Creek. She followed the creek past the deer beds for a while, making sure she stayed hidden in the bushes.
    When she reached the crooked bend in the creek called Old Man’s Leg, she saw what she had come for. The huge shagbark hickory was lying on its side. Its gnarled branches sticking out of the snow waved to her like fingers.
    Pip’s spirits soared as she ran into the clearing. All caution was left behind. She didn’t sense the danger until a shadow swept across the sky. Something dark and dangerous glided over her head.
    Owl.
    Wasn’t it too early for him to be out? Pip thought, looking wildly for a place to hide. It must be what Aunt Pitty said. Owl was as hungry as everyone else. And Pip was a delicious morsel.
    Oh, how could she have made such a foolish mistake?
    She was out in the open with no place to hide. The terrible sound of heavy wings was all around.
    The smell of her fear filled the air.
    Pip spotted a tiny hole in the ice straight ahead. Itwas her only hope. She hurled the sack to one side and heard the seeds and berries scatter across the ice as she started to run.
    The deadly swoosh of Owl’s wings came closer and closer. Pip dived toward the hole with a sob of relief.
    It was blocked.
    A thin sheet of ice lay across it like a cruel joke. It was the only thing between her and safety. Pip raised her stick over her head and brought it down with all her strength.
    The sound of shattering ice mingled with Owl’s screech as she slipped into the hole. Owl’s talons closed on empty air inches