Tales of the Room by Luke and Zach. (comprehension books txt) 📕

to an enchanting two story cottage. The chimney was billowing smoke and the strong smell of clover soup met their noses. A woodland favorite, Peter smiled at his friends. Hearing a call, he turned to see his uncle, Benjamin Bunny carrying a basket of carrots in one arm and another full of different fruits in the other arm. These toys were known for growing all of their food. It was their way of life and they loved it. They walked up to the wooden steps and past the great gardens until they reached the front door. Mrs. Shrew could be heard humming inside.

A gentle knock was tapped on the door and Mrs. Shrew came along with a broom and a dust pan in her paws and opened it up. “Thainkain!” she exclaimed as she hugged the rabbit. “I have not seen you since the Golden years in the Grottos behind the waterfall!”
“I must say it is good to see you Shrew!” he replied back as they hugged each other. The small yellow light coming from the cottage door shined bright in the dark wood. Benjamin Bunny wiped his feet on the front door mat as he suspiciously looked around in the forest. There was not one sound. He then closed the door and put out his lantern that he carried with him and set his vegetables down on the kitchen table. Inside their cottage these companions all felt very safe and out of the Room’s violent society. They did not always live in the room. They also lived in the Attic and spent a few years in the Playroom before they left and came to the Dark Forest where their wishes for peace were met. Their reasons were understood, but Benjamin Bunny always missed his wife, Peter’s Aunt. She disappeared when they were in the Attic when all of the superstition arose and the thought of rats coming and vanishing with toys was too much for them when their most beloved Misses Bunny was not found lying beside Benjamin that morning. Thainkain was coming to visit that fateful morning; when they decided to move. But all this happened centuries ago in Toy years and they tried not it think of it anymore. “Let’s all gather around the table shall we?!” proclaimed Mrs. Hoddy the hedgehog that had stayed behind with Shrew. They all gathered around the table and ate joyously until Thainkain reached for the carrots that were in a round basket in the center of the table. Peter had caught his hand. The basket was rotting and the carrots inside were black. The table fell silent. They watched the carrots rot as they made a fizzing sound and pieces began to fall on the table cloth. The spectacle was broken up when Benjamin took the basket and threw outside. They all watched while Shrew and Hoddy changed the table cloth. Benjamin closed the door after another two sharp looks both ways and returned to the table.
“At least it didn’t bruise the table, but the table cloth will have to go!” sobbed Mrs. Shrew.
“That was from Dark Forest soil.” realized Bunny.
“Nothing else on the table is from our Dark Forest crop is there?”
“No everything else is from outside the Dark Forest. The wood is sick.”
Shrew who had been looking forward to their meal with Thainkain was sitting in her chair at the head of the table with her head down sobbing. Hoddy went over to comfort her. “We don’t have to let this bother us! Let’s continue on with our meal and remember to go see what is happening in the soil over in those parts of the wood.”
They sat back down to eat and finished the meal merrily with Shrew in better spirits. Benjamin Bunny packed his bags and placed a long red cloak around his shoulders that his wife had made for him long ago. It was very old and stained. He put on the hood and decided to journey over to the crops they’d planted in the forest. He suspected foul play. Having smelled the disgusting stench of rats around his property for many days, he was aware of the danger. (Rabbits have a very keen sense of smell). The whispered rumors of the forest growing sick were becoming louder and louder every day. Benjamin would put an end to this mischief. Reaching over the door frame, he pulled down a long bow made from dark forest wood. Carved all over it, ancient rabbit script shone in the candle light; Sayings of good luck and travel. He carefully strung his weapon and strapped a comfortable quiver to his leg. (Owlsa archer’s quivers strap to their legs). Winking at the women and smiling kindly, he shut the door.

Peter knew that there was more of this than just their field. He took his green cloak and he and Thainkain began their long journey to Hobbit Inn, where the adventurous Peter was certain to find better answers.

The moon had crept up into the black sky and Smaug the dragon could be seen soaring in and out between the heavy white clouds as if searching for a misplaced treasure. Peter shuddered. Dragons had far too many secrets and who was he to want any part of such adventure. He was content with the comfort of his safe and quiet home in “Crickowillow” (the region on the black wood where they lived). He lived a simple life, not without danger or excitement of course, but hidden enough to avoid it.
The grass felt good beneath their feet as the pair of cunning rabbits glided quietly among the meadows. Peter stopped at the edge of the field and looked back toward the cottage. He could still see the candle light in the small windows and shadows of those moving inside.
“They’ll be ok.” Thainkain reassured him. Peter did not like leaving the women by themselves especially after what happened to his aunt so many years ago. Benjamin had told him that he wouldn’t be long, so without another thought, Peter and his cousin turned and disappeared into the thick wood.

Benjamin followed the main road for only a minute, and then took an abrupt turn onto a secret path that he used when he wanted to avoid other toys. He was traveling without any light, but his night vision had been well developed over the years, having lived in the forest for so long. The path narrowed for a bit then widened again slowly as he journeyed on. He wanted a good smoke from his owlsa pipe, but he was traveling too fast to enjoy it. When he came to a great drop-off in the path, he knew he had arrived. The trail dipped for a good thirty feet. From this spot, Benjamin could see the entire southern Crickowillow. He looked up into the distance. A strange contraption was sitting in one of the great black wood trees. To a stranger, it would appear as a giant oyster made of leaves and branches. Benjamin Bunny knew better. This was the home to one of his dearest friend in the region. Someone he could rely on and talk to about the situation. He descended the bank athletically without even a scratch. As he got closer to the tree, a sudden screech brought him to a halt. He knelt down and crawled closer to the scene. A couple of black spiders and a dark green caterpillar lay sprawled out on the ground. Each looked pale and sickly. Mr. Marsupial stood over them looking worried. Above him, high in the tree, peering over the side of their nest, Mrs. Marsupial and her two loved ones watched with curiosity. Before Benjamin had time to move, a fly flanked by two large dragonflies appeared out of the underbrush and landed next to the bugs. The fly shook his antennas furiously.

“The water is making my insects ill! What is to become of us?! And where is Flick in all of this? Protector of insects? Nowhere to be found. And Talrock? Aaagghh! What a mess!” He spat angrily on the ground. He then ordered the two dragonflies to carry the sick creatures away.

Benjamin decided to make his presence known. “Is it the water then?” he asked coming out from under the bush he was hiding behind. His hood disguised him to the fly but his friend knew who he was. A great puff of smoke arose in the air and in the clearing of moss the creatures stared at him. Marsupial advanced and greeted him but the fly only watched in disgust and worry.
“Who are you!” yelled the fly at Bunny.
“I am Benjamin Bunny. I live here in Crickowillow.”
“This is none of your business now be on with yourself!”
“This is most certainly my business! This rumor is spreading and is no longer a rumor. It is a fact. If we cannot rely on the leaders, we must have a reunion of all of we minor leaders.”
The fly said something low to the dragonflies and they flew away. “Well Bunny, what is your opinion of this matter?” asked the fly approaching the rabbit in flight.
“The forest is ill, someone or something is sickening it. Our crops in Crickowillow have been destroyed.”
“These unfortunate bugs went down to the stream and did not return,” said Marsupial. “He’s come to me for help. We must go and test the water.”
Mrs. Marsupial nursed the three insects on the ground while the three others went to the stream where the bugs had drunken from. Marsupial sliced a fruit he’d carried with him in half and the inside was hollow. It served as a cup. When he took the water in the cup he placed the other slice back together. Once they were back together they were one again. They all crouched down to watch the fruit as Marsupial laid it on the soft moss. The fruit began to shrivel purple and spat out many colors and also erupted a few multicolored liquids. Once the spectacle was finished Marsupial got down closer to the fruit and then quickly stepped back. “It’s been poisoned with potions.”
“How do you know they’re potions?” asked the fly king.
“The way they react together, but I do not know many things about potions.”
Benjamin Bunny examined it and agreed with his friend. Without thinking the fly looked up after a moment’s pause.
“When and where are we having this meeting?”
“Bring it to my cottage. But first I must settle some business with my crops.”
Thainkain and Peter Rabbit hurried as fast they could to save their would-be week journey. It was the second night and they were almost to Hobbit Inn. Thainkain brought some feed for the fire Peter was nursing and they sat in the cold dark night in the black wood. Hobbit Inn was situated very near the border between Crickowillow and Mostorocol, one of the three regions of the Dark Forest. “I can’t wait for the party.” said Thainkain wrapped in his brown cloak.
“It shall be glorious!” said Peter lounging against a log. “A beautiful feast! When are Drimstor and Milvester coming?”
“Ah, I left early to be with you in the peace without Drimstor’s chatter and Milvester’s barks! My two faithful companions!”
“I’ve heard news of Drankle, Thonpor and Stij.”
“Have you?”
“They’re most likely in the Room by now travelling here. They’re probably not too deep into the room yet, so we have time to get to Hobbit Inn by Moon up tomorrow.”
“Time to catch some sleep aye cousin.”
Waiting for their slumber, someone began creeping towards them.

The air suddenly became moist, as if a cloud of invisible rain just fell out of the sky. A heavy