Even though the garden was planted, the spring weather was challenging. There was lots of wind (good thing about the garden fence). There were downpours of rain (at one point there was a pond in the garden) and it just did not warm up. That is life at 53.5 degrees latitude. Even so, the friends were busy with activities indoors and out.
Dog and Rabbit had the biggest range. One day on an explore, Dog found what would best be called a cave. Dog was sure it had not been there last year. You will remember that earlier in spring, Dog found a hole in the faerie house yard. A timid Rabbit came out of that hole. This cave was a completely different sort of thing. It was much bigger than a hole an animal can dig. There was a big opening with plants growing over and around it.
Dog sniffed carefully, sat very still and looked around, then hightailed it back to the faerie house.
A quick look around revealed only Frog and T2.
“Rabbit is out getting some groceries; Hedgehog and T1 are looking at the garden,” said Frog. “What’s up?”
“There is something very strange happening at the bottom of the yard - I FOUND A CAVE!” exclaimed Dog.
Meanwhile, down in the garden, T1 and Hedgehog were satisfied with how things were growing. T1 ate a few weeds. All the vegetables were up, growing as well as they could with the cool conditions. If the plants weren’t big, they were at least hardy.
Hedgehog had gone out of the garden area and came upon something surprising. Hedgehog saw some pink scat. Poop, that is.
“How peculiar!” mumbled Hedgehog, and then louder, “T1, come have a look at this.”
T1 ambled over, insofar as a turtle ambles. When T1 saw the scat, T1 said, “This is what my shell is for,” and shrank inside it.
“Oh T1,” said Hedgehog, “That won’t help. Let’s go tell the others.”
Trying to remain calm, the two friends made their way back to the faerie house as fast as they could move.
Frog and T2 had continued cooking. Dog had gone out to meet Rabbit and they were back at the faerie house by the time Hedgehog and T1 arrived. Then there was a moment of near pandemonium.
“THERE’S A CAVE!” shouted Dog.
“We found pink scat!” Hedgehog and T1 said as loud as they could (their shouting is not very loud).
“Hold on here!” said Frog with a sense of authority. “One at a time please. Dog, you start.”
Dog told about finding the cave, how big the opening was, and also how pretty it was.
Hedgehog and T1 told about finding the big pink scat.
Looking a bit worried, Frog said, “This all sounds serious, but we should not lose our heads. We live in a place that has always been safe and friendly for us.” Frog paused to think, then said, “First we will have some refreshments. The cookies are just out of the oven.”
T2 passed the cookies around. Eating gave everyone something to do while they calmed their nerves and thought about what to do.
Dog spoke up, “I have a book about scat and a magnifying glass. Perhaps I could go and have a look at the scat and see if I can identify the species who could have made it.”
“That’s a good idea, Dog,” said Frog, “But I don’t want you to go alone. Perhaps Rabbit could go with you. If need be, you are both fast on your feet. Are you up for that Rabbit?”
“Yes, I am,” said Rabbit, with a voice that did not sound full of confidence.
“You will find it just a little bit beyond the garden,” said T1, who was still tired from the hurried hike up to the faerie house.
Dog and Rabbit headed out. The others huddled together and discussed again what had been seen. They tried to come up with pleasant hypotheses.
Dog and Rabbit found the scat quickly. Dog and Rabbit both have sensitive noses and, if anything, the scat smelled quite sweet.
Dog looked at it through the magnifying glass.
“I think I see ant legs,” said Dog. “I know I am to honour all living things, but I cannot feel bad to have fewer ants in my proximity.”
“I think it smells like flowers,” said Rabbit.
After making careful observations, they went back to the faerie house. Dog got out the Scat Book, and found the right page.
“Well, well, well,” said Dog.
“What? What? What?” said all the others at once.
“Dragon,” said Dog.
“DRAGON?” said all the others, with a hysterical tone.
Frog, once again took the lead and calmly said, “Tell us more. There are many kinds of dragons.”
“OK. It says that this dragon lives in gardens and eats ants and flowers. Rabbit was right about the flowers, and I have to say, that diet is quite a relief to me!”
All the friends felt the same.
“Is there more?” asked T1.
“These dragons hide their caves with garden plants and go about peaceably.”
“Hallooo there! Would you be talking about me?” said a voice coming from what looked like a bergenia.
The bergenia leaf was pushed aside and a dragon appeared before the friends.
“Well, I’ll be,” said Frog. “If you are friendly, you are welcome here.”
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