Tough Climb!

Acorn opened his eyes just as the morning sun began to peek over the distant mountains. His found family, Ivy and Borealis, were still sleeping peacefully on a bed of the softest leaves they could find. Which Acorn thought was quite a feat considering how orange and crunchy the leaves were. He hoped they'd turn green again soon! These didn't taste as good, and he much preferred juicy green leaves and delicious berries over what clung to the branches and grew in the bushes now. 

 

It was only a short distance to a small stream. Surely his siblings wouldn't notice if he slipped away for a few minutes to quench his dry throat. If anything, it would be Ivy who came stampeding after him once she noticed his absence. But he could hear her even breathing. She was still asleep. If there was any time he could sneak away, it was now. Taking the rare opportunity when Ivy was not corralling him and Borealis, Acorn trotted off deeper into the forest, a mischievous little grin on his face.

 

He looked up at the mountains in the distance, admiring how tall they were. He wondered if one day he would be tall and strong like them. He was still small, a little Acorn, they called him. Though he didn't hate it, he wanted to be strong. Ivy and Borealis had been strong when they'd found him, barely hatched from his egg, the shell stuck on his frill. "Like an acorn!" they'd laughed, and the name had stuck. They'd protect him, Ivy and Borealis, and he wanted to grow big enough to return the favor.

 

The water was cold and refreshing when he finally reached the edge of the water, and Acorn felt satisfied when he finally pulled his dripping muzzle away from the surface. He was readying to turn and gallop his way home when a distant sound caught his attention. A bird with a bright red chest was flying through the air, swooping between the branches. Acorn, as distractible as he was happy, took off after it, laughing as it would swoop down to meet him. He chased and chased and chased, until he found himself face to face with a hill. The bird landed on a stump at the top, beckoning him with it's sweet song.

 

Acorn was all shaking kneess and furrowed brows as he stared up at his new friend. The hill was not especially daunting, had he not been very small. The incline, while sharp, was marked with stone and footholds from dinosaurs having made the same climb he was considering. 

 

Acorn sat down, a puff of dirt flying up around him as he did, and tried to ignore the singing bird for a moment. This was his first test of bravery! If he was to be any sort of chivalrous knight or even just a helpful brother, he would need to overcome the challenges the world threw at him. Nervously, Acorn pawed at the ground, his claws catching on weeds and stones as he did. He tilted his head, digging a little deeper, each pass of his claws was met with more and more resistance. He keeps going, a small hole forming at his feet, when a lightbulb suddenly goes off in his little head.

 

He looks up at the hill, the same weeds, rocks, and helpful roots adorning the side of it. He jumps up, white tipped tail swaying with excitement at his conclusion. "Hey guys--," he calls excitedly over his shoulder, before suddenly remembering he was alone. "Oh," he says flatly, frowning. They weren't here to see what he found! But he could tell them later. "And I'll tell them how I climbed all the way to the top!" he told himself, stomping his feet.

 

Acorn faced the hill again, a renewed determination in his face. He stepped forward until he was right in front of the hill, which looked even bigger when he was staring right up it. He could hear the bird singing, but he could no longer hear it. He gulped, swallowing down his nerves, and placed a foot on the incline. And then another. He could feel himself slipping away but he dug in deeper with his claws, catching on the thick weeds like had before. "I did it!" he said, a little prematurely, as his hind feet were still securely on the ground. But he took another step, and then another, and another. 

 

And another!

 

Every so often he would stop and press his frilled face against the hill and close his eyes, and picture his family cheering him on. And each time he did, his energy was renewed and he kept going. After what felt like an eternity, the top of the hill came into view and Acorn pulled himself up. The bird tweeted and twirled in the air above the stump and Acorn slumped against it. His fear conquered, he stared down at the forest below, watching dinosaurs begin to start their days.

 

"That looks like Ivy and Borealis!" Acorn told his bird friend, who was now perched atop his frill. As he watched the two dinosaurs get closer and closer, he realized it was in fact his siblings! "ACORN!" Ivy yelled as they made eye contact. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING UP THERE?" she screamed as she galloped towards him. "Uh oh," Acorn yelped, standing up quickly. He turned and headed back down the hill the way he came, grateful it was easier going down! Looks like he didn't have much time to catch his breath before a forest chase ensued.