Submission (#6288) Approved

"I am hungryyyy!" Posey cried out. Her stomach was rumbling. In fact, it had been crying all day. How horrible!

"I am trying!" Iridiana casted her rod again. She had gotten a few bites throughout the afternoon but had yet to reel one in. She tried everything from worms, berries and hotdogs, to even her own lunch. It was her duty to feed Posey and she was not going to let her down. "Do you have anything we can put on my hook? Left overs perhaps?" She felt around but couldn't find anything.

"No, I ate it all! I am hungry!" Posey whined. She clutched her stomach dramatically to emphasize her hunger.

"How about you go out and find some berries for the garnish! We can't have a meal without them." Iridiana suggested. As long as she stayed close enough where she didn't get lost but far away so she couldn't hear her complain than she was happy.

"Great idea!" Posey jumped to her paws, strapped the knapsack to her back, and headed off into the mangroves. They were on the rocky beaches of Ealei, which was home to elder berries another fun snacks. While it had tasty food, it lacked sand or even ground to walk on. If she wanted anything, she would have to head to the trees. "Here we go!" Posey sighed. The small kit tried to jump onto a lower branch but she missed. She tried again but got the same result. She couldn't make it! She knew if she wanted anything it would have to be higher up but she couldn't make it. Thus, she headed back to see if Iridiana had an idea.

"Gonna get myself a turkey, gonna get myself a haaammm," she sang to herself as she headed back. Suddenly, she was caught off balance by a huge gust of wind and was sent tumbling down deep into mangrove roots. The intricate roots trapped her, she was stuck. "HELP IRI! HELP!" She wailed. But no one responded. "I have to get out myself.. huh.." Posey sat on her butt. Her stomach rumbled louder. She was starving! After a few minutes, the kit managed to wiggle out of roots onto a large rock surrounded by water. In fact, the only thing connecting her to the main land was the roots. They were slippery and covered with moss. There was no way she would make it. Besides, she was a horrible horrible swimmer. "Hmm... now what?" She thought to herself. Upon assessing her surroundings, Posey saw Iri. Just her luck! "IRIDIANA!" She hollered. But the wind was too strong. It was impossible, hopeless! Posey crumbled to her paws and began to cry. It was supposed to be their day, their picnic! They had been planning this for months and now.... now it was ruined. Iridiana wouldn't get a single fish and Posey... well posey would be stuck there forever. When she watched her reflection ripple in the sea something unusual happened. She saw a crab. Wait... 3 crabs! They were struggling to hold on in the rough current. "I love rap cakes!" Posey stated. With one big swoop, she was able to grab all the crabs and throw them in her sack with minimal pinching. "Iridiana will be so proud! I should bering them to her!" Posey went to head back but she realized that she was stranded! How could she! She spent ample time assessing her claws but there was no way she would make it back with hers. "THE CRABS!" She cheered. Posey tied them to her hands and within minutes, they were inching their way back to shore. She was a genius! She couldn't wait to tell Iridiana.

Once on shore, she went to put the crabs back when one escaped. Iridiana need at least two crabs, she was a big girl. "GET BACK HERE!" She hollered and chased after him. She launched herself at it and tumbled around. "WAA!" She screamed as it latched onto her nose. Posey quickly pulled it off and shoved it back in. "Ooowwwww.." she moaned and rubbed her nose."The berries!" She gasped. The kit looked up and there it was. Three plump berries. "These will be perfect!" She cheered. However, they were right out of her reach. She jumped, attempted to climb, and even threw a stone or two but nothing was helping. She didn't want to risk the crabs again but knew they were her only hope. She attached a rope to one and after a few tosses, she managed to get one attached to the bushel of berries. With a small clip and reel in, she had the perfect thanksgiving feast. She packed them all in her bag and headed back.

- By the time she made it the sun was starting to set.

"Posey! Where were you! I was so worried!" Iridiana ran over and gave her a huge hug. "Don't ever wander that far again! You hear me? I was so scared. I thought you drowned!" Iridiana was trying hard not to cry.

"I did it!" Posey passed Iridiana her knapsack. "I got the berries AND some crabs! We have enough for us to have a real feast!" She proudly reported. Posey was young, sure, but she strived to make those she loved happy.

"This is perfect! I got some fish too. Let me get the fire started and let's enjoy our meal!" Iridiana began to collect wood.

-

By the time the two dined the moon was well out. They exchanged laughs, tears, and wonderful stories.

"The food was amazing!" Posey licked her plate clean. "Thank you!"

"The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for helping out today! It can be hard to find food in Ealei but you did it! You made me so proud!" Iridiana hugged her friend.