Big Sky Mountain by Alex Milway

Author:Alex Milway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnier Publishing Fiction

‘Beavers . . .’ he muttered in a daze. ‘Everywhere . . .’

‘I think we ought to get him home,’ said Rosa.

‘I think you’re right,’ said Grandma Nan.

8

This . . . Is . . . War!

Rosa and Grandma Nan took one paw each and helped Mr Pernicky to his home at the riverside. The hare lived in a wooden shack, although to describe it as such was a great disservice: at least three times taller than Grandma Nan’s cabin, his home dominated the forest like a wooden mansion within landscaped grounds. Two perfectly square towers sprouted from its walls, and a windmill stood tall on the roof, spinning gently in the breeze above the tree canopy.

Mr Pernicky was evidently a master craftsman, excellent with joints and joists, who also loved to grow things and tend his garden. There were little boxes under the cabin’s windows, all stuffed with brightly coloured plants and heather, and surrounding it were very well-kept vegetable patches full of carrots.

The smell of his home helped Mr Pernicky feel more normal. He unlatched the door and they went inside. It was a small opening for such a grand place, but Rosa could just about fit inside without ducking. Nan stooped low, stepped in and closed the door behind her.

Grandma Nan knew Mr Pernicky had recovered fully when he started grumping again.

‘Those creatures have no right to be here,’ he grumbled. ‘This . . . is . . . war.’

‘Doesn’t everyone have a right to live here?’ said Rosa. ‘I thought this place belonged to everyone?’

‘But there is the whole mountain!’ he said. ‘There are hundreds and hundreds of miles of nothingness out there.Why do they need to live on my river?’

‘They are water creatures,’ said Nan.

‘And it’s my water,’ grumbled Mr Pernicky, ‘so I’m going to get rid of them, no matter what it takes!’

The walls of Mr Pernicky’s home were covered with tools and bookshelves full of building plans. He took a long wooden ruler from the wall, rushed over to a drawer and pulled out a notebook.

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