Buttercup and Slow River

Buttercup and Slow River

Ponder woke up to the soft noises of Mama packing up her healing pouch. "Where are you going, Mama?" Next to Ponder, Winter sat up, too.

"It seems that Slow River and Buttercup became sick last night. Poor girls. I am going to see if I can help them. You both wait here and I will bring back news." Faint morning light and a cold rush of wind entered as Mama hurried away through the tent door.

Ponder turned to Winter. "Do you think this is serious? I have not known them to be sick before."

"I'm sure they will be fine Slow River and I just hiked up to the boulders yesterday and she seemed okay."

"Hmmm. Ponder searched his thoughts. "Buttercup seemed fine yesterday too. Oh, and I hope Wrenny isn't sick too. She is so little." Ponder laid back down again but knew his worry would not let him fall back to sleep.

"Try not to worry, Pond. Mama is a good healer. She will help them. And their Mama and Papa and Grandma are there too." Winter laid back down and soon was asleep again.

But Ponder was awake. He knew that sometimes people get sick and it is very serious. Buttercup was his best friend. He played with her nearly every day. He wished he could turn off his worry and sleep like Winter. He thought about his mama giving medicine to Slow River and Buttercup and about them feeling better. 

Ponder woke again to the sounds and smells of the morning. Mama was tending the fire. Ponder sat up and wiped the sleep from his eyes. "Mama, how are Buttercup and Slow River?"

"Oh, they are doing much better. They will need to rest today but tomorrow they should be ready to get up and about again." Mama gave a reassuring smile.

Ponder smiled. His whole body felt relieved. And in his mind, he began making plans for what he and Buttercup could do tomorrow.