This mini-story is based upon the characters in my new children's eBook,
Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore.
The news of the chipmunk kids' illness came to Dr. Brigit the normal way. Brie Bluebird knocked on her door early last Wednesday. Brie informed her that the three had taken to their bed and asked if she would visit. Dr. Brigit gathered her medical equipment and bag. She made sure she included the herbs that were likely to be needed.
To get to the chipmunks' cottage, was about a forty-five minute walk around Ballymore pond. The delightful spring day made the time pass quickly. Hints of color were appearing in the woods and the air had in indefinable mixture of faint aromas.
When Dr. Brigit arrived, she knocked on the door, and it was answered by Cheryl, the kids' mother.
"Oh, Dr. Brigit, thank you for coming so quickly. All three of them are sneezing and have runny eyes and headaches."
Dr. Brigit noticed three small noses peeking out of the bedroom door.
"Hello, Cheryl. Well, let me take a look and don't worry," answered Dr. Brigit.
Cheryl led her to the kids' bedroom and they walked in. The three brothers had scurried back into their bed. The room had three dressers but only one bed. Under the covers were Colin, Craig, and Conner, all lined up with little more than three wet noses and six droopy eyes showing. In unison they turned to look at their visitors.
"Sniffle, sniffle, sniffle!" came from each.
"How long have they been feeling poorly?" asked the doctor.
"The symptoms began a couple of weeks ago but have been getting worse," answered their mother.
Dr. Brigit went to the bed, bent down, and examined each chipmunk carefully. She looked in their mouths and had each say, ah. She looked in their eyes and listened to their hearts.
Then she stood up and said, "Thank you, Colin, Craig, and Conner. I believe you'll all be fine. You are allergic to the spring pollins in the air. I'll give you some herbs to minimize the symptoms."
The three chipmunks looked at her and smiled. They were feeling better already.
Cheryl and Dr. Brigit returned to the parlor. Dr. Brigit took some herbs from her bag and explained how to give them. As they were talking, a bunch of noise arose from the bedroom. It mostly sounded like squealing and laughing.
Upon reentering the bedroom, they saw the following. Colin and Connor were holding down Craig and trying to get him to drink some water.
Colin said, "Now, you must drink your herb tea, and you will feel much better. Now, be a good patient, or we will have to tickle you some more."
Craig was squealing and struggling. The water went everywhere.
The adults smiled.
Their mother yelled, "Now, stop that now!"
They immediately stopped and let Craig go. They returned to their previous positions in the bed and acted as if nothing had happened. Of course, water was running down their faces and over the covers.
Dr. Brigit said, "As I said, they will be fine."
Conner asked, "Can we go outside and play?"
Dr. Brigit replied, "That will be fine if it is okay with your mother. But first you must have some herbal tea for your allergy."
Their mother agreed, and in an instant the three jumped out of bed and ran out of the bedroom. The still wet bed was now empty. Was there ever anyone sick in it? Dr. Brigit shook her head and wished all her medical visits were this easy.
© 2012 Robert N. Brooks
The weekly Story about the animal residents of Ballymore is available for free syndication to family-oriented blogs and websites. For information, please contact me at: ballymoretales(at)gmail(dot)com.
Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore
I am pleased to announce that I have completed my children's novel. It is a heartwarming, humorous, and adventurous family book about a community of lovable animals. It has an underlying theme of the
"Golden Rule". The early reviews are excellent. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The book and a free sample are now available on
Amazon.
NOTE: Kindle or iPad not required.
Thank you, Bob Brooks
Story - "Sick Chipmunks"
