A Nameless Voice

Baldwin was roaming in the woods near his neighborhood when he came upon a clump of wispy, violet grass.  He put his nose near its roots, for he was certain that he detected a new scent.  

Suddenly he sn—nee-zed. “Bless you.” said a quiet small voice from somewhere behind the tall grass.  Baldwin froze.  He had thought he was alone, but apparently he was not; something or someone was watching him.  His heart began to beat very fast as he crouched down to see what would happen next.  He waited--he listened so very carefully, but he heard nothing. 

He wondered what he should do.  “I’m being silly!” he said aloud.  “I’ll just introduce myself.  Perhaps someone new has moved into the neighborhood, and he or she is a little shy with making introductions.”  He cleared his throat, held his head high and marched forward with confidence right through the tall grass and said, “Hello, my name is Baldwin.”  He was surprised at what met his eyes. 

In the clearing, he saw a hollowed-out log with a small door leaning against the log’s opening.  It was apparent that long ago there had been a fire, since the entrance to this small house was burned.  “This is an extraordinary discovery!” exclaimed Baldwin.  

He took a closer look, and put his nose into the opening.  His keen sense of smell told him that no one had lived there for a quite some time, but Baldwin did detect the scent of old Theodore, the community rat, and thought he might have used the abandoned house for temporary shelter. 

Baldwin heard a twig snap, and then an owl came flying toward the clearing.  “I do believe this is not the time for introductions after all," Baldwin stated in a trembling voice.  He quickly made his way back through the tall grass when he heard a small voice call out to him, “Goodbye, Baldwin.”  Baldwin’s eyes grew wide with fright, and he ran swiftly home.