Into The Woods

Buttons loved all the seasons. Even autumn. True, everything was dying, but it was doing it in such a pretty manner. The leaves were full of color, and Buttons wanted to enjoy it. Soon the branches would be completely bare, and not long after covered in lovely white snow.

The colors would not last long. A few days, maybe, and then there would be less and less variance. In order to enjoy it, Buttons had bundled up in a cloak against the chill, and settled beneath one of her favorite trees. Just sitting. Listening. Admiring.

It also meant, that for the short amount of time she sat here, she didn't have to think. The tree she was under was old, but it was large and solid. There were no clouds, no storms on the horizon. She could monitor the sun, and get home well before dark. In short, for a few brief moments, she had nothing to worry about, and nothing to fear.

A squirrel, probably gathering what it could before the real cold settled in, passed by not far from her. Buttons smiled, enjoying the carefree existence. Then she realized the work the squirrel would need to go through in order to survive the winter, and she felt a little more awe and respect for the little creature. For herself, she was all set, and grateful for it. She sighed as she saw the squirrel run up a nearby tree to its nest.

Maybe she should help? She could gather some nuts and seeds and pile them beneath the squirrel's home. There was always a chance a different creature would come along before the squirrel could gather the gifts, but Buttons realized that if it were the case, she would still have helped an animal.

With determination, Buttons got to her feet. She grabbed a stray branch and began to use it to brush away the leaves that had already fallen, searching with a keen eye.

Before leaving the inn, Mother Goose stopped at the large bulletin board by the door. People posted things for many reasons; selling property or goods, lost pets, looking for or offering work. Which was what she was stopping for.

Mother Goose decided she could use some help.

She loved going to the market, mingling with the people in her town, meeting the new babies, general meddling and gossip. But the twice weekly trip to the inn with her wares was becoming a challenge. For a time, the innkeeper had sent someone around to her, but that person was apparently no longer available.

Mother Goose had almost hoped to engage young Robert in offering his services, but it seemed the boy was allergic to work.

It wasn't that she minded the trip. She hitched the horse up to the wagon, and off she went. But winter would be coming soon, and she had to face the fact that she was no longer young. So she scanned the board, hoping someone was looking for work. She was willing and able to pay, both in coin and in food.

It would give her an excuse to bake more. She always got fewer visitors once the snows came.