Calico's Adventure

CHAPTER 2: ANTICIPATION STATION

Sure enough, as the sun came happily over the horizon, Crimson sailed on the rays of sunrise to see Speckle. It was an interesting conversation. Crimson couldn’t wait to give the good news to Calico; snoozing under the old, oak tree.

Flying friskily in the morning breeze, Crimson landed back beside his sidekick, Catsup, who was alertly scanning the road. “Speckle told me that Jesus has been praying under his tree at night!”, chattered Crimson. “He likes to be alone to talk with His Father: God. Nighttime beneath the tree is peaceful, so the Lord comes there when the stars begin to twinkle.”

Catsup was so excited he jumped down to Calico & tweaked at his snoozing friend, snuggling under his blanket; a fallen leaf. “Guess what!”, sang Catsup. “Jesus spends the night under a tree, too, Calico!”

By now, all the friends were wide awake & buzzing with excitement over the rest of Speckle’s message! “Our friend will fly right over as soon as Jesus starts to come in our direction. He heard Jesus say He must come this way TODAY!”, chuckled Crimson.

“WOW!”, exclaimed Calico Caterpillar. “Let me take a quick sip from the dewdrops and a bite of berry for breakfast! Then I will crawl up the tree bark. I think my feet can cling there while we watch for the Lord to appear.”

Catsup and Crimson promised they would be alert for Speckle Sparrow’s arrival with news of Jesus’s travel. They were sure an adventure awaited Calico. Feathers fluffed & fluttered, little bird feet stepped side-to-side on branches, & sharp-sighted eyes watched the sky for Speckle Sparrow’s wings.

“Here he comes!”, shouted Crimson & Catsup Cardinals in unison! Speckle landed with a sudden THUMP that shook their branch! He had flown like a little jet, & was out of breath. Panting, he told his friends, “Jesus started early! He will be here any minute! “

Calico planted his little, sticky feet firmly to the tough tree skin! He was shivering from front toe to back toe with anticipation. He had to keep remembering that Jesus thought even a caterpillar was important, too! “Maybe if I keep clinging to this tree, I can jump on Jesus’s foot as He comes this way!”, Calico called to his cardinal pals.

“We’ll keep you posted on His progress!”, chirped his buddies. It wasn’t long before Calico heard lots of chattering above him. Both Catsup & Crimson were chirping at once!
“Here He comes! Here He COMES!”, they sputtered excitedly.
“Get ready, Calico!”

The cardinals danced with delight on their boughs as they saw Jesus, and some others with Him, coming closer down the path. Finally, Calico could see them too! He planned how he would count to three & jump. “Boy, I hope I can land on His foot before His foot lands on me!”, hollered Calico to his friends above.