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fun!
     
    But then, a strong gust of wind hit the kite, and to everyone’s horror, the string broke.  The kite immediately went out of control and headed north over the pond.
     
    Conner yelled, “Oh, no!  Help!”
     
    Stoddard and the bluebirds, took off immediately and went after the kite.  There was nothing Conner could do but hope.  The three birds quickly caught up with the kite, but they didn’t have a rescue plan.
     
    Stoddard saw that there was still a short piece of string attached to the frame.  He thought that if he could grab the string, he could pull the kite back towards the island.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t get close enough.  When he tried, the draft from his flapping wings pushed the kite away.  He was too big.
     
    Branna saw what was happening and had another idea.  Branna yelled, “Britt and I are going to try to land on the crossbar and pick them up.”
     
    Stoddard yelled, “Okay, good luck.”
     
    The kite bobbed and weaved, darted and plunged unpredictably in the wind.  Branna and Britt made several approaches in trying to land on the crossbar to which the chipmunks were tightly clinging.  To do that, they had to hover briefly above the crossbar and then stop flapping their wings so that they could settle down onto it.  Unfortunately, the kite would turn this way or that, and the bluebirds would end up falling through the sky until they could start flapping again to stop their plunge towards the pond.  It was a difficult trick.  A hummingbird might have been better suited for the task, but Branna and Britt were bluebirds, and they did the best they could.
     
    Finally, the kite sailed smoothly for a brief time, and the bluebirds were able to land on the crossbar next to the frightened chipmunks.  The period of calm didn’t last long.  Now, they also had to hold on tight.  The birds didn’t want to have to land on the crossbar again.
     
    Branna yelled, “The next time there’s some calm, Colin, you jump on my back, and wrap your paws around my neck.  Keep your rear paws together so they don’t interfere with my wings.  Craig, you do the same with Britt.”
     
    About a minute later, they had an opportunity.
     
    “Go!” yelled Branna.  
     
    Colin jumped on Branna’s back and hung on tight, but before Craig could jump, another gust of wind hit the kite.  Both bluebirds were knocked off of the crossbar.  Craig was left hanging by his short claws.  Branna immediately plummeted towards the pond as she was not used to the extra weight.  She used her strong wings to break the fall and regain control.  She was then able to fly back up to the kite.  
     
     

    Bluebirds Rescuing The Chipmunks
     
    Britt was circling and waiting for an opportunity to get back on the crossbar.  After another minute she was able to land, and this time Craig successfully jumped on her back, and they soon joined Branna and Colin in mid-air.  Then, both birds did a wide, slow turn and went into a long glide.  Two minutes later, they landed right next to Conner.
     
    Colin and Craig let go and fell off of the bluebirds’ backs to the ground, safe but very tired.  It was so good to be back on the ground.  They hugged each other and thanked Branna and Britt for their heroic efforts.
     
    Conner thought that winning 1st prize would be the most exciting part of his day.  It didn’t turn out that way.  Sometimes, things happen that you don’t expect.  Luckily, and with a lot of help, the day ended well.
     
    The chipmunks’ kite riding days were over.  As the sun set, the now abandoned kite continued to dip and dart away until it was out of sight.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
    Spring Creations

 
     
    Rhonda Rabbit liked to wear her big, green apron when she tended her flower garden.  It had nice, over-sized pockets to hold snippers, trowels, and flowers.  The large garden covered nearly an acre behind her cottage.  The forest began just beyond the garden.  From March