As she sat in the den Bumpkin did not feel quite so cosy any more. All she could think about was how hurtful her friend had been. Then she saw some movement down below. It was Chumpkin on his way back. As she heard his claws scramble their way back up the tree trunk Bumpkin turned away.
‘Hello,’ said Chumpkin. ‘I’m sorry, I know you’re probably really upset with me.’
Bumpkin remained silent.
‘You just took me by surprise, that’s all. I didn’t expect to see you following me. But I did have a good reason for keeping you away.’
‘What possible reason could you have for being so mean and sending me away? I thought we were best friends!’
‘We are!’ replied Chumpkin.
‘I don’t think so,’ said Bumpkin. ‘You obviously don’t want me around. Maybe I should just leave and make my own den elsewhere.’
‘No, don’t do that!’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I don’t want you to! Listen, I want you to come with me.’
‘Come with you? But I thought that was exactly what you didn’t want me to do,’ replied the ever frustrated Bumpkin.
‘I didn’t want you to come with me earlier, but now I do. Just come, you’ll understand when we get there.’
Bumpkin wanted to resist the invitation in order to teach Chumpkin a lesson. However, her curiosity got the better of her, what could he want to show me, she thought to herself.
Chumpkin led the way through the woods as Bumpkin followed silently and slowly. It was still very cold; a few flakes of snow were even beginning to fall. Bumpkin loved this time of year.
‘Okay, here we are,’ said Chumpkin, who had stopped just in front of the same bush that Bumpkin had followed him to earlier. ‘Are you ready?’
‘Ready for what?’
‘Ready for something special!’
Bumpkin was really curious now, though she still tried not to show it to Chumpkin. ‘Go on then, let’s see,’ she casually remarked.
Chumpkin took Bumpkin’s tiny cold paw and led her through the small gap in the bush. The leaves were close and brushed against their furry bodies as they made their way further in. Bumpkin started to feel a warmth radiating towards her. Then she stopped, stood wide-eyed and dropped her tiny jaw in disbelief.
‘So… what do you think?’ asked Chumpkin.
‘I.. I.. I don’t believe it!’ replied Bumpkin as she jumped gleefully then turned and gave Chumpkin a huge hug. Within the bush he had created a Christmas den. It was covered with piles of sticks, leaves, moss and he had even found an old oil lantern, which he had managed to light with a warm yellow flame. Round the edge of it all he had written a message for Bumpkin out of red berries. It spelled out the words, ‘Merry Christmas to Bumpkin my best friend’.
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