One day Pooh was walking in the Hundred-Acre-Woods. Then suddenly he tripped on a very odd, bright, and colorfu lrock. "Piglet and I will share this treasure!" he cried. "Christopher Robin said a treasure was like a shiny rock with a lot of color!"And he picked it up and ran at top speed to Piglet's house.

"Oh Pooh! What a beautiful rock!" Piglet was totally admiring of the rock. Pooh just panted and tried to catch his breath. He then got up and looked at Piglet with joy in his shiny, black eyes.

"I know, it's terrific! We can keep it!" Pooh started to dance a happy, happy dance. He touched the rock, then furrowed his brow in confusion. "The rock is moving!"

"How can that be?" cried Piglet. "Maybe we should show it to Christopher Robin. He's so smart!" Pooh agreed, and they ran off to show the rock to the boy.

Christopher Robin looked for a long time at the rock. Finally, he spoke. "This is not a rock. It's an egg!" The two animals were shocked, and nearly fainted dead away right then and there. They couldn't believe it! Then, Pooh started to worry.

"Is it a Woozle egg, Christopher Robin?" he asked in worry. "I don't want a Woozle!" An image of a Woozle creeping through trees, snatching honey, haycorns, thistles, and carrots from the residents popped into his head.

"Or a Heffalump!" added Piglet. He shivered in fright at the thought of a large Heffalump stomping through his beloved wood, trampling houses, knocking down trees, and roaring.

"I don't know," said Christopher Robin. "But I don't think Woozles and Heffalumps have eggs." The two friends sighed with relief. Their wood was safe! Or so they thought...

That night...

The egg, sitting on a cushion, started to shake. Slowly, it cracked open and a wet-looking little animal tumbled out. It blinked its fierce, raptor-like eyes, and stretched its hind legs. Shaking its tail, it started to explore its new surroundings. A low growl sounded from its throat. Suddenly, a loud, thrumming sound roared in its ears. It squealed, and ducked into the first hiding place it saw. It stayed there, shivering with pure terror.

Next morning...

"The egg hatched?" cried Pooh. Sure enough, fragments of shell lay all around, and a trail of yolk led from the egg. Piglet instantly hid behind Christopher Robin. He was scared and wouldn't hide it! Who knew what sort of creature had hatched from the egg? Old enough to crawl away, probably to hatch a plot of some sort...

"Chirp?" A little eagle head poked out from behind the couch. Christopher Robin instantly walked over.

"It's okay, come on out."

"Chrowwwl!" It clambered over the edge, and all three gasped. The creature had the body of a lion cub, but the wings and head of an eagle chick. Later, closer inspection would reveal that its front legs were like eagle legs and its tail tuft was made of feathers.It pecked at the boy's fingers, then chirp-growled again. It opened its beak, revealing small fangs. Suddenly, it hiccuped, releasing a small mist.

"Let's take him to Owl!" said Pooh. "He's so wise, he can spell Tuesday!" So the crew skipped off to Owl's house, to find out what the baby animal was and what he ate. Then they'd take him to Kanga so that they could feed him what he liked!

"Hmmmmmmmm..." said Owl. "I think he is a garyphon."

"I don't like it," said Piglet. "Let's call him a garyph for short."

"Garyph! What a name!" said Pooh. "Let's call him that!"

"What will he eat?" asked Christopher Robin.

"Moss," said Owl, "that grows in the deepest, darkest caves. One piece will last him for the rest of his life. While you hunt for the moss, he may drink Extract of Malt or eat Condensed Milk."

"Then we shall find him the moss he needs. Garyph shall live happily in the Hundred-Acre Woods." Piglet's tone was solemn, and a sign of his growing maturity.

So, the journey began. After getting lots and lots of Extract of Malt and Condensed Milk from Kanga, and putting it in Christopher Robin's backpack, the odd group set off on a journey.

Author's Notes

Overall Commentory: Whoa! This turned out very different from my original plans. If you're wondering, it was supposed to be a dragon egg, and the story was to be set in the Hundred-Acre Woods while they tried to keep him out of trouble. However, now they're on a mission...just as exciting...even more.

Key Points/Semi-spoilers:
1. Note the mist coming from Garyph's beak.
2. Yes, Piglet's maturity will pop up later. He's growing up, and I want to show it!
3. The Preview is not of the next chapter.
4. Tigger wants his Extract of Malt!

Preview:
Garyph roared, eyes glowing red. No monster would threaten his good friends!