Through the cold parts of northern America, close to the borders of Canada; where the snow trickles down from the sky, sits a tree. 

A tree bigger than anyone has seen, but only has two residents living within the trunk.

Biggie and Tiny are two flying squirrels; a brother and a sister. Biggie is calmer and wiser than his sister. Tiny is more curious and outgoing than her older brother. 

“Biggie let’s go exploring,” Tiny squeaks.

“Not now Tiny, there are wolves prowling,” Biggie shakes his head.

Tiny pouts. Her brother is always cautious about everything. Squirrels are meant to be free! Tiny goes behind Biggie’s back and rushes out of the den. She hops and glides, yipped and yapped, and races through tree branches.

Suddenly, there was a loud

 Tiny loses her balance when the tree shakes in terror. Down goes Tiny. Biggie rushes out of the den and does not see his sister.

Biggie, help! I fell and I’m stuck in this monster!!

Tiny’s voice comes from below. Down, down, down the tree.

That big red monster shakes and groans, screams and shouts, and the black fumes rise into Biggie’s little nose. Suddenly, it jerks away.

BrrVOOM!

Then it runs off!

Biggie races down the branch and glides to another, hoping and twisting, pushing and prancing, and he follows the monster who stole his sister.

Suddenly, there are no more trees to hop onto! Biggie wastes no time running down the trunk and out into the open. 

There is a rather large lake in his path and the monster managed to get to the other side, but how?

“Excuse me, kind fish, would you be able to help me?” Biggie ripples in the freezing water.

“How can we help, big fella,” four beautiful green-blue fish swim up with bits of ice caked in their fins.

“Can you get me across your waters? I must save my sister from that red monster.”

“Why, of course, we can! Hop onto our backs,” they offer kindly.

Biggie carefully climbs on top of their scaly, but slimy backs. He holds onto their fins for safety. The fish dive down below but keep Biggie’s head above the water. The fish swish and splash, bubble and blurb, and they carefully take him across the lake.

Suddenly, there was a bloOP          Down goes Biggie!

The fish scatter away from the stale grey rock, sinking to the bottom of the lake. Biggie swishes and squirms, flips and flops, and he goes down slowly to the bottom. He has no clue on how to swim, but he must fight through. 

“OWL!” then, large talons scoop Biggie up and out of the water. It was a massive snowy owl.

“Oh, Owl, could you help me find my sister as you saved me from the water?” Biggie asks.

The owl squawks out in laughter, “Oh no, mister squirrel, I plan to have you for dinner!”

“Please Owl, rethink your purpose,” Biggie pleads.

“You should have been more careful, now you pay the price,” the owl replies.

In the distance, Biggie sees the monster again. This time there was no shaking and groaning or screaming and shouting! The black clouds are stagnant too! The owl notices the monster and swoops down into its nest. Little owlets sit and shout for their mother.

“What lovely owlets you have,” Biggie comments.

The owl nods, “yes, but they get hungrier by the minute… and this cold makes it hard to find anything.”

“I am sorry, but I cannot be eaten Owl. I, too, have a family to look out for,” Biggie stands his ground.

The owl looks at him with saddened eyes, “I understand, but you are my prey and I must raise these owlets.”

“I beg of you, Owl. Help and in return, I will find food for you and your family.” Biggie bargains. 

The owl thinks for a moment and gives in to Biggie’s pleas. She takes him up by talons again and flies over to the Tiny-taker monster. Without warning, she opens her talons and lets Biggie fall. Down goes Biggie! 

He smacks the hood of the monster, the impact makes him drowsy. Before he could muster up the courage to get up and look for Tiny, fuzzy warmth is wrapped around him. He shakes and squirms, nips, and kicks, but his attempt was futile. He was taken into a building.

His eyes are so heavy and his journey made him oh, so tired. Perhaps a nap is necessary. 

Biggie awakes in a box. His heart is pounding, unsure of his environment.

“But where am I? What is this weird tree? It’s so small and stout,” Biggie thinks out loud. 

He races around the box in an attempt to find a way out. His attempt is unsuccessful, his only way out is up. Biggie braces himself and makes a big leap over the edge of the box.

tHUMp!

“Now that I’m free, I must be careful. I have no idea what creatures lie in this place,” Biggie begins to scan the area for a way out of the white room. Then, suddenly, he hears Tiny.

“Help! Biggie? Where are you,” Tiny’s voice is faint.

“TINY,” Biggie shouts back, “Where are you?”

“Biggie? BIGGIE,” she shrieks again, “I’m here! I’m HERE!”