At the glade, on top of Grandmother Willow's tree, Meeko had just eaten the last of Percy's bones when he heard John say. "This place is incredible!"
He looked out to see Pocahontas leading John, Snoopy and Woodstock to Grandmother Willow's stump while John added. "And to think, we came all this way just to dig it up for gold."
"Gold?" repeated Pocahontas.
"Hey, Meeko." greeted John when he saw the little raccoon slid down one of the vines.
"What's gold?" asked Pocahontas.
"You know, it's…uh...it's...it's yellow, comes out of the ground. It's really valuable." explained John.
"Oh, here, we've lots of it." said Pochontas as she took out the ear of corn she plucked out earlier from her bag. "See?"
"No. Gold is...this." said John as he held out a gold coin, which Pocahontas examined.
"Hmm, there's nothing like that around here." she said.
Thinking it was another biscuit, Meeko snatched the coin from John's hand and bit it, tasting nothing but metal as Snoopy palmed his face in embarassment.
"No gold?" said John.
"Not that I've seen." replied Pocahontas.
John let out a chuckle. "All this way for nothing. Oh, those boys are in for a big surprise."
"Will they leave?" asked Pocahontas.
"Some of them might." replied John.
"Will you go home?"
"Well, it's not like I have much of a home to go back to." said John. "I've never really belonged anywhere."
"You could belong here." suggested Pocahontas.
Just then, John heard the wind...
WIND SPIRIT:
Ay ay ay na ay ay na…
...and saw a woman's face appeared on the side of the tree, startling Snoopy and Woodstock, who fell from the stump and into the water.
"What was that?" asked John.
"Did you see something?" Pocahontas asked back.
"No." stammered John. "No. I just, uh…I…I didn't see anything. Did I?"
"Look again."
And he did, staring into the tree, where the old woman's face appeared again.
GRANDMOTHER WILLOW:
Let it break upon you
Like a wave upon the sand
"Hello, John Smith." she greeted.
"Pocahontas, the tree is talking to me." John whispered.
"Then, you should talk back." replied Pocahontas.
"Don't be frightened, young man." assured Grandmother Willow. "My bark is worse than my bite."
Having gotten out of the water, Snoopy and Woodstock stared at Grandmother Willow, then at each other. A tree that could talk? Just when they thought kite-eating trees weren't enough.
"Say something." urged Pocahontas.
"What do you say to a tree?" asked John.
"Anything you want." said Pocahontas.
So, John stood up and faced Grandmother Willow.
"So, uh…"
"Come closer, John Smith." said Grandmother Willow as her vines gently pushed John towards her so she could examine him.
"He has a good soul...and he's handsome, too."
"Oh, I like her." John said to Pocahontas, who smiled and said. "I knew you would."
Just then, a voice called out. "Hey, John!"
It was Peppermint Patty. With her were Marcie, Lon and Ben, who called out. "Smith! Where are ya, mate?"
"We can't let them see us." said John.
"Quick! Over here." Grandmother Willow said, motioning to the other side, where Pocahontas, John, Snoopy and Woodstock hid when Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Ben and Lon arrived at the glade.
"I don't like the looks of this." said Marcie.
"Yeah, this place gives me the creeps." said Lon. "Savages could be hiding anywhere."
"Aye, well, if you spot one, don't ask questions. Just shoot." said Ben. "Or, in your case, lassies, wha..."
Before he could finish, all four of them tripped.
"Marcie, what's the matter with you?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"It wasn't me, sir." replied Marcie. "It was the tree."
"Oh, sure." Peppermint Patty said sarcastically. "The tree just felt like lifting its roots and…"
As she went on, the roots slid underground, in front of their surprised eyes.
"You were saying, lassie?" asked Ben.
Before anyone could say anything, there was a SNAP!
"AHH!" screamed Peppermint Patty and Marcie.
"OW!" groaned Ben and Lon, for their posteriors got hit from behind.
"Run!" cried Ben, who, then, ran for it.
So did Lon, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie, who asked. "But what about Smith, sir?"
"He can take care of himself, Marcie." replied Peppermint Patty. "And stop calling me 'sir!'"
Once they were gone, John turned to Grandmother Willow, saying. "I'm glad you're on our side."
"There's still some snap in these old vines." said Grandmother Willow, for it was her that scared them off, simply by lifting her roots and using her vines as whips to whack Ben and Lon's behinds.
"I better get back before they send the whole camp out after me." said John.
"When will I see you again?" asked Pocahontas.
"We'll meet tonight, right here." replied John, who gazed at Pocahontas one last time, then hurried off.
Snoopy and Woodstock sighed dreamily while Grandmother Willow said. "Well, I haven't had this much excitement in 200 years."
"What am I doing?" asked Pocahontas as she started to braid her hair. "I shouldn't be seeing him again. I mean, I want to see him again."
"Who wouldn't?" said Grandmother Willow. "I want to see him again."
"But still, something inside is telling me it's the right thing." said Pocahontas as Meeko hepled braiding her hair while Snoopy and Woodstock watched, exclaiming. "Ooh."
"Perhaps it's your dream." suggested Grandmother Willow.
"My dream?" Pocahontas recalled, then asked Grandmother Willow. "Do you think he's the one the spinning arrow was pointing to?"
Grandmother Willow could only smile in response.