Oyster Chute

It didn't take too long to figure out where the oysters were coming from.

There was a huge pile of 'em under a hole in the ceiling.

Oysters

To his amazement and curiosity... the entire surface under the tree was covered with oysters.

What is the significance? I don't know.

Stu pocketed a few anyway... you never know.

:)

Dusty Hollow

Stu entered with trepidation... he hated spiders and snakes.

This seemed like a perfect place for either.. or both for that matter.

As Stu explored the hollow area under the tree,

he found the space bigger than he expected.

New Dilemma

Stu finally arrived at the Tree of Ages.

It was huge... it was old... it didn't have limbs for the first 100 feet or so.

But it did have some sort of hollow at the base.. between the roots.

Quick Fix

Stu didn't have time to deal with the hook right yet...

so he quickly bit the string and ditched the fishing pole.

He ran on wondering why he even was carrying it in the first place -

Was he going to give it back to Lenny if he ever saw him again?

Never run with scissors

And never run with a fishing pole either.

He hadn't run a hundred yards before the hook found a new home in his ear!

Got a Plan?

Stu realized he didn't have much time before Lenny was dinner for the owl... and he knew exactly what to do. So he took off in a dead sprint toward the base of the Tree of Ages.

Tree of Ages

Stu had all intentions of watching his flailing friend until he was out of sight over the nearby mountains... but much to his amazement the owl turned and landed in the highest branches of the Tree of Ages.

This ancient tree was a special tree to the Lemmings... but that's another story.

Gravity

The gravity of what just happened sat on Stu's shoulders like a Sumo Wrestler on a cheap bathroom scale...

His neck disappeared under the weight.

His mind went blank for a second as his mental air traffic control went on strike and all the conflicting thoughts all crashed onto one another.

Fowl Snacks

Before either of them could do anything there was a wooshing sound.... like the sound of an owl swooping down to catch a rabbit... except rabbits don't make as much noise as Lenny did.

Feathers and fur all in a blur... Stu was left standing alone on the path.

6th Sense

Stu's ear started twitching.

And the hair on the back of his neck stuck out straight... something was amiss.

Eyes watching

A very curious owl was watching Stu's every move.

Neither Stu nor Lenny noticed it as they headed back toward the Lemming Colony.

It followed at a safe distance... but missed nothing.

Tall Tales

As soon as Stu regained his strength he told Lenny everything he had seen and done.

Lenny sat in awe at the stories.... a blank look on his face.

He had never even imagined that places like that could exist.

Old Friend

To Stu's absolute amazement... it was Lenny... his great friend that lives in the burrow just down the way from his. He must be near HOME!!!!

Lenny was out early trying to catch the morning fish when he spotted Stu on the shore.

Shadows

A shadow fell across Stu.

He must have dozed off since he hadn't heard any approaching footsteps.

He squinted with sunshine directly in his eyes... the figure was a dark silhouette.

What or Who was it?....

Distant Shores

Stu came to rest on the rocky shore of the river... miles down stream.

He regained consciousness... but hurt too much to move a muscle.

The cool water actually felt nice on his wounds.

The sunshine dried and warmed his fur.

He laid there and relaxed... he was in no hurry.

I Kid... I Kid...

Stu passed out shortly after thinking about how he wished he had stayed home.

As you may well know, your airway closes underwater when you pass out.... so Stu just went limp.

He floated slowly to the surface and there miraculously continued breathing... though unconscious.

:)

Drowned

Stu never reached the surface.

The End

Bubbles

Millions of tiny bubbles swirled around Stu.

He was dazed by the fall and the spinning and the noise... and somehow maintained consciousness.

He realized the ice was gone from his feet, which may have actually helped in this situation.

He focused on holding his breath.... just a little longer.

Free Fallin'

The sound was inconceivably loud.

Stu couldn't even hear his own scream... it was surreal.

He fell for what seemed hours.

Over the Edge

Stu could hear the roar of the falls below.

The sound didn't scare him... it actually reminded him of a place far far from here.

Stripper

Stu grabbed hold of the low overhanging branch and quite effectively stripped it of leaves.

His eyes widened as he realized what a handful of leaves meant...

The Giving Tree

Oh my gosh...

To Stu's absolute amazement... there was a tree growing near the water's edge.

And even more amazing was a limb stretching out over the waterfall!

Valiant Effort

Stu's arms finally broke free from the ice... he decide to attempt to paddle for the river's edge.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, he could only barely touch the water with his fingertips.

He accomplished nothing more than causing a gentle spinning motion.

Falls Ahead

Stu's icy raft slowly rotated and he got his first view of the latest predicament.

His hands were nearly free... would he have time to attempt avoidance maneuvers?

Melt Down

Stu could feel the warm sun on his face... his arms were not free... but he could at least wiggle his nose and ears.

What a crazy adventure he was on.

Light of Day

He finally drifted out of the underground river cave and into the sunshine.

The ice melted past his nose and he got a fresh breath of air.

Gems

As Stu slowly drifted in the underground river, he noted the entire ceiling was covered with gems.

Ice Cubed

Stu's underwater scream was frozen in time.

He could only imagine the silly face he was making as he bobbed in the icy water.

Hold your Breath

Stu hit the water and sunk to the bottom.

The underground riverbed was littered with bones... dropped from the giant spider above.

What a creepy way to go...

Splashdown

It wasn't 5 seconds later that he hit the water.

Icy water... the kind of icy that gives you an instant headache!

Stu didn't have time to take a deep breath... he barely even shut his mouth...