Bumpkin & Chumpkin (Part 1)

Richmond Park is the biggest and most beautiful Royal Park in London.  It is full of colour, smells, sounds and life.  And no one knows this park better than two small squirrels named Bumpkin and Chumpkin. 

These two fluffy creatures have lived in the park for their whole life.  Bumpkin is the younger of the two squirrels.  She has light brown fur with a small streak of red hairs just between her two ears.  She looks up to her best friend Chumpkin.  He is slightly taller and is covered in dark brown fur apart from his tummy, which is white.   Both of the squirrels have big bushy tails, which flow up and down, like the waves of the sea, each time the animals run.

‘Brrr!  It’s getting cold!’ said Bumkin.

‘Yep, winter is coming indeed!’ replied Chumpkin who was scratching around looking for twigs to add to his latest den.  The two squirrels loved to make dens in the bushes.

‘We had better make a really warm den this time,’ said Bumpkin, who was starting to shiver.

‘Don’t worry, this den will be the best one yet!’ said Chumpkin excitedly.

The two squirrels were experts at den making.  In the summer they would build light and airy dens, which had plenty of space to allow the cool breeze to pass through.  But now that the cold winter weather was beginning to set in, they started making a very cosy den indeed.

‘Look Chumpkin!  I’ve found a big pile of dry leaves under this tree!’

‘Ah, that’s perfect!  Well, done Bumpkin.  You always find the best leaves!’

The two squirrels were in their element.  They made an excellent team together.  They picked up twigs and even more leaves.  Before long they had built a very cosy den inside the trunk of a hollowed out tree.

‘Oh Chumpkin, I think this is our best one yet!’

‘Yes, I think you’re right.  We are going to be very warm this winter.  No more shivers for you!’ said Chumpkin before he jumped out of the den, ran down the tree and headed off into the woods.

‘Where are you going?’ shouted Bumpkin, who was surprised to see her friend leave their den so soon after they had created it.  But Chumpkin did not turn around or reply to her.  He was gone.

[Part 2]