The Waddodles of Hollow Lake
Law of the Woodland
by
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CHAPTER 1 HOLLOW LAKE A young raccoon family, The Theodore Waddodles, live in a rock den high atop a hill overlooking a sleepy cove on Hollow Lake. From their den on East Bay, they can see all the crystal-blue lake. Hollow Lake is a beautiful place, a haven for wildlife where everyone lives in harmony to preserve a peaceful balance of nature. Food is plentiful. Spring-fed brooks, swimming with plump brook trout, rush downhill to nourish the lake. Colorful wildflowers, fragrant pine needles and graceful ferns cushion the forest floor. Glistening amidst tall pines stand white birch and stately hardwoods. The Waddodles believe Hollow Lake is the most heavenly place to live in The Great Northern Wood. Unless enemies invade or hunters threaten their lives, they rarely stray far from home territory. The warm balmy summer came to a close; the sunny crisp autumn days grew shorter and colder. Too soon, The Waddodles said good-bye to their magnificent Indian summer. Instead of colorful trees shading the forest, barren hardwoods towered over deep piles of dry leaves and brown withering ferns. Each day their lives grew more difficult. Hunters barely carted off their 'trophies' when a brutal blizzard swept in with a fury, freezing them to the bone. For days the blizzard raged with no relief in sight. Strong winds and frigid temperatures silenced and crippled the forest. Ferocious ice storms and bitter winds attacked often, causing great hardship and misery for all wildlife. Snow laden trees bent low to the ground enfolding deep drifts along the shoreline. Even the churning cove waters of East Bay froze over, along with the calmer waters of Hollow Lake. Unable to roam, the animals hibernated much earlier than usual. The Waddodles stayed hidden in their den seeking shelter from the storm. Their winter seemed unending. Each torturous day brought greater suffering. Survival appeared bleak. Deep drifts made it impossible for Theodore to locate food. The family huddled together in their freezing den, praying for relief from the storm, waiting for the blizzard to end. Theodore grew frightfully concerned for his starving family. Each day, his young twin sons, Teddie and Freddie grew weaker and thinner. His pregnant wife, Harriet, needed nourishment for the babies she was carrying due in spring. Adding to their misery, enemies began invading their territory. No longer was East Bay the peaceful haven it once was. Daily, a local hermit, Old Mr. Grump hunted them with his double-barreled shotgun and bloodthirsty hounds. Two wily red foxes, The Ruffin Twins, stalked their every move, jeopardizing their lives.
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About the Book
We were stranded in a blizzard in an unfinished house with little money, when my husband died the day after Christmas. Anxious how we would manage without him, too young to understand, my four children [ages 2-9] asked, "Why my daddy?" Feeling lost and alone, our hopes and dreams shattered, I struggled to find a way to explain his death to them. How could I make them understand? Comfort them? Make them realize he was gone forever? How would I reassure them life would go on, that we would find the courage to live without him . . . that they would be happy again? I searched for books to help them adjust, and found few. Therefore, I began writing one--for them--for me--for the countless suffering children who have lost a parent. The first book in The Waddodles of Hollow Lake series, Law of the Woodland, is about family values; a tale of courage, built on love, hopes and trust in each other. Though the story line appears sad, humor prevails throughout the book, as The Waddodle Family experience life's joys and tribulations. After her husband dies, Harriet Waddodle is blessed with courage through her strong moral character, faith in her family, and guidance from who she refers to as her 'Strength' [God] to endure the death of her husband, his funeral, raising their twin sons and the lonely birthing of Theodore’s unborn children. When grieving children read the series The Waddodles of Hollow Lake and understand how well The Waddodles cope with Theodore’s death, they will feel encouraged in knowing they are not alone. With their faith restored and hope renewed, they will know they can endure their devastating sorrow and that it is possible to feel happy again.
About the Author
Carole La Flamme Beighey is a writer, a registered professional nurse and homemaker. She is married to Larry Beighey and has six grown children, Skip, Susan, Tom, Tim, Elizabeth and Anne and nine grandchildren. She resides with her husband at Amelia Island, Florida and spends her summers at Hubbard Lake, Michigan.