Guardian of the Forest

 

            Jazzy was just settling down to enjoy his afternoon nap when Clyde flew in and landed right in front of his nose.

            Jazzy was not in the mood to be bothered, so he blew a huff of air toward Clyde and said, “Be gone. I’m tired, and if you stay, you run the risk of becoming my next meal.”

            Unperturbed, Clyde flapped his wings as he settled them onto his back. “There’s something I think you’ll want to come and check out.”

            “What would that be?”

            “There’s been a new hatching of fire salamanders and they’re currently running amok.”

            Breathing in a huge yawn, Jazzy asked, “And why should I care about tiny baby salamanders? I’m not a babysitter.”

            “True, but they’ve wandered outside of their watery cave and are currently setting fire to the forest.”

            Jazzy groaned and stood up to stretch. “Shouldn’t there be someone watching them? Where are their parents?”

            Clyde shrugged. “Will you come?”

            “I suppose.” Jazzy leaped out of the tree to the forest floor. He knew he would have to go and take care of this situation, but sometimes he really wished he could just be a normal panther, not the Guardian of the Forest. “Lead the way, Clyde.”

            As soon as Clyde flew off, Jazzy followed him from the ground, keeping Clyde’s blue and yellow feathers in sight. He didn’t have to, of course. Macaws were exceptionally loud, and Jazzy had no problem following the sound of the screeches that Clyde made as he flew.

            Soon, they reached a clearing overlooking a large section of the woods, and Jazzy got his first view of the damage. He stared in shock at what looked like a war zone. Flames covered a large section of the woods – and they were spreading. “How long ago did you say the salamanders had escaped?”

            “Not too long. It must have been one of the larger nests that hatched.”

            Sprinting away on his powerful legs, Jazzy called back, “Go and get Danielle. We’re going to need her help. And get the salamanders under control!” He couldn’t believe that this had happened. Why did those salamanders have to be so fast? Within minutes, he had reached the edge of the flames. The smoke billowed toward him, forcing him to take a step back. Sucking in a deep breath of clean air, he darted right into the flames. His fur immediately hardened into scales of ice, and he blew freezing air onto the hottest parts of the fire.

            The flames hissed and steamed as they went out. Jazzy moved among the fire and ashes, looking for the orange flicker of a live fire. He covered the area in so much frost and ice that it appeared to be the start of winter. The damaged area was so large that it took him more than an hour to finish his task. Finally, he sat down to catch his breath and study the blackened trees and foliage. He was so tired that he lay down and closed his eyes.

            Danielle found him curled up and asleep. She nudged him with her soft nose saying, “Jazzy, are you all right?”

            Jazzy slowly stirred and looked up into the kind deer’s face. “Yes, I’m fine.” Yawning, he gave a great shake and his ice scales turned back into spotted black fur once more. “I’m going to need your help with this part of the forest.” He gestured to the charred remains around him.

            Giving a little nod, Danielle immediately went up to the nearest burned tree, and touched her nose against it. Green radiated from her touch and moss and grass started growing. Flowers bloomed in front of Jazzy’s eyes. The forest would still need time to be fully restored, but Danielle would be able to give it a good start.

            Satisfied that she had everything under control, Jazzy said, “Thank you, Danielle. I’m off to find Clyde.” He bounded over a fallen log that was now covered in green grass and wildflowers. He had to find out what had happened to the baby fire salamanders. He had a few words to say to whoever had been in charge of tending the nests.

He thought longingly of his nap tree. Oh well, a forest guardian’s work was never done.