Snowflakes Under Glass Part II

Posted by Martha; clouds and anemone photographed by Martha Young McQuilkin from her Patio '13 · Feb 26, 2015

Soaring high above their beloved hills and woods, Annabelle and Gillian agreed their land looked enchanting. The Sweet Pea Whimble enjoyed drifting among white clouds where her concerns melted into thin air. The mouse entertained himself by peering at everything below with wee binoculars.

"Quess who I'm spying on, Annie B.?"

"Let's see, it could be..." began Annabelle.

Gillian interrupted her. "It's Wendell the Hillside Whimble. Just look at him exploring his favorite hillside on this splendid morning. Let's fly down and say howdy-do."

"Good idea, Master G. Down we go!"

Annabelle steered her craft downward toward the meadow. The Thimballoon bumped across the meadow. It finally stopped just feet from Wendell who scooted over to the two travelers. The friends hugged.

"I'm so glad to see you two. I can't find my brother, Jacob. We were walking together through the woods. I bent to admire an early anemone. When I looked up he was gone. Oh, dear! Where can he be?" questioned a very concerned Hillside Whimble.

"Not to worry, Wendell," consoled Annabelle. "Do you remember Gillian's great great ancestor, Inspector Gilbert, the great tracker? My little mouse takes right after him."

Moments later the trio filed into the nearby woodland. Gillian, in the lead, halted at a thicket.

"Shush everyone. I hear something." stated the mouse.

Sure enough, from behind several gooseberry bushes, came a soft muttering. The three moved quietly toward the sounds. Behind the thicket, oblivious to the others standing around him, Wendell's brother sat peering through a very odd contraption.

"Oh, Jacob. I've been so worried. Why didn't you answer when I called you?"

"I'm ever so sorry, Wendell. I didn't hear anything after I found this on the forest floor. Whoever do you think left it behind?"

After all four carefully examined the strange device, Wendell proclaimed, "I do believe this is called a micro-scope-a-tope."

"What do you do with it?" asked Gillian.

"Why you first put something small under this glass slide like so," answered Jacob. "Then you look through here and, well, see for yourself. Check out this bit of soil.

Annabelle was first in line. Although her long proboscis presented somewhat of an obstacle, she finally was able to see through the long glass-topped tube.

"Oh! Gracious me! I see a whole wee world. There are even tiny moving creatures. How magical!" Annie exclaimed.

With all the excitement the four failed to notice an abrupt shift in the weather. (to be continued from The Working Gardens to The Hillside - Caelumen)