A Robin With Attitude (Free Short Story)

"I don't think going to your house will help the forest, Beenie," said Troy.

"It would save you and your parents," Beenie insisted. "And if no one else will listen to us, maybe they all deserve to be attacked by the gnomes!" Her voice was furious now, even though a tear was sliding down her cheek.

"Beenie!" Troy gasped, sounding shocked. "That's not very nice!"

"Neither was abandoning me to follow that hedgehog all by myself," Beenie shot back, scrubbing at the tears on her face.

Troy was silent for a long moment, and Beenie wondered if she'd hurt his feelings.

"I'm sorry, Beenie," he said. He sounded forlorn, and very, very sad.

"I'm sorry too," she said at last, sniffing again. After what seemed like a long time, she spoke again. "Do you want to get your parents and come to my house?"

"I don't know," said Troy, sounding miserable. "It would save us, but what about everyone else?"

"I don't know," Beenie said. "We can knock on some other doors, but if they're all like that stupid robin we won't be able to help them."

"Stupid robin?!" came an outraged voice. "Stupid robin? I'll show you a stupid robin!"

Too late, Beenie realized that the robin had been listening to their conversation from behind the door. The door in question flew open, and behind it stood a very angry robin. He was eying them with one dark eye, and his feathers were quivering with indignation.

"I was going to help you," he said loftily, but after that, I don't think so!" And he slammed the door in their astonished faces for the second time that night.

"Wait!" Beenie cried. "I'm sorry! Please come back!" She pounded the door with her hands. "Please!"