Chapter 3
The Junior Woodchucks Guide to Thunderbird watching
Six kids are at a picnic table, that are wearing junior Woodchuck uniforms, can be seen at a table tying knots. Huey who was also wearing a uniform, was just finishing up his third knot.
" Okay done with that square knot; now to move on to the figure eight knot" Huey says enthusiastically
This is when, a dog in a scoutmaster uniform shows up
" Attention scouts. We have a new scout joining our ranks today. Everybody give a warm welcome to April Duck" The scoutmaster says, as he moves from in front of April. Huey and April look at each other in surprise
" April " Huey says
" Huey " April says
" Oh you two know each other? Good then Huey you can be her guide for the day " The scoutmaster says before he leaves the area.
" I didn't know you were a Junior Woodchuck " April says cheerfully
" I've been a Junior Woodchuck since I was six. I didn't know you were interested in the Junior Woodchucks. Welcome " Huey said enthusiastically
" Well I wasn't able to join up until now because we really couldn't afford it " April says sheepishly
" Well I'm glad you're able to afford it now. Come on let me show you around " Huey says back with a smile.
The two of them are now walking up to a cat scoutmaster assistant who in turn gives April a sash and a Junior Woodchuck guidebook.
" Now your official " Huey said excitedly
" Look at the cover. Feels so good. I can't wait to read this entire thing tonight " April say happily
" Oh you'll never want to put it down. It's chocked full of valuable information. Come on let's go get you some badges. What do you want to start with first? " Huey asks
" Uh I don't know let's see " April says as she starts looking through the guide before landing on a page.
" How about this "
" Bird watching? Okay it's simple enough " Huey said.
" It's says I have to identify and take a picture of six different types of bird native to the area " April says reading from the page. " Okay shouldn't be too hard"
The two are at a river bank behind some buses looking at a greenshank April has her phone at the ready. She snaps a picture. They quickly go through taking pictures of four other bird species. They are on the last bird
" Alright April last bird no pressure " Huey says
" Right " April responds
April has her phone camera lined up on the bird about to take a picture when a loud thunder like sound is heard. The sound causes the bird to fly away and her to trip and fall.
" Oh man. It flew off " April says
" What was that sound " Huey asks
" Sounded like thunder " April says
" Thunder but there are no cloud around " Huey said
" And the forecast says nothing about rain. Weird " April says
" Really weird " Huey says
They are hidden stalking another a bird; this time a warbler. April once again readies her camera when that same sound scares it away and causes her to drop her phone
" Dropped my phone and there's that sound again. What is that " April says
" Good question. Here let's check the Junior Woodchuck guidebook. It usually has the answer. Okay let's see things that make the sound of thunder without clouds. Hmm. Oh we could be dealing with a thunderbird" Huey says casually
" You mean like the mythical creature " April says
" Yeah " Huey says
" Okay. How do we get it to stop making that sound " April says
" Well we could try capturing it but according to the book it's difficult " Huey says
" Of course it is " April says
" But I think I have an idea " Huey says as he raises his finger
The two are at a giant nest on a cliff hidden behind some rocks
" So all we have to do is wait here for it to come back and take a picture before it notices us " April says
" Yup " Huey says
" Uh My first direct encounter with the supernatural. This should be a fun learning experience " April says
" Well we do stuff like this all the time with our back at the mansion " Huey responds
" Speaking of which; I hope this isn't a bad time but is everything okay; with your Uncle Donald I mean " April asks reluctantly
" Honestly not too good. He kind of gave us the full story about what happened " Huey said
" Yeah our Aunt Daisy filled us in too. I had no idea our Aunt was like that when she was young " April responded
" There's a lot of things I didn't know about Uncle Donald and alot of things I still don't know apparantly " Huey responded
The sound of thunder interrupts their conversation. The thunderbird which is a giant eagle like bird perches on it's nest as it settles. April readies her camera and snaps a picture. The flash goes off Huey and April look worried as it freezes in place before turning in their direction noticing them and running towards them. They both run jumping over rocks. The thunderbird is flying close behind the two and snatching at them with its' talons. The two continue to run when they notice a trench up ahead
" Look a trench. On the count of three we jump into it. One. Two. Three." Huey yells
Huey jumps into it while April falls into face first. The thunderbird smacks right into a tree knocking itself out.
" April you okay " Huey ask concerned
" I'm fine." April says while holding her break
They both get up and dust themselves off
" Okay so maybe not as easy as I thought but at I got the pictures " April starts digging through her pockets looking for her phone " Where's my phone? Did I drop it? No no no nooooo. That's the third phone this month. Aunt Daisy going to be mad. She can't afford to get me another. Not to mention the pictures I worked so hard to take "
" Okay simple solution; what's your number " Huey asks
" 555-5000 " April says
A phone ringing can be heard a couple feet away. April races frantically in the direction of the ringing. She digs through the mud and finds her phone covered in dirt but mostly fine. Huey walks up behind her smiling.
" Thank you so much Huey. You're a lifesaver " April says grinning from ear to ear
" No problem so what do you want to tackle next " Huey asks
" How about knitting " April says
" Good idea. I'll get my sewing needles " Huey says with enthusiasm
Author Note:
Next up Dewey and May