We dedicate this book to all the animals and trees.

Four score seven years ago there were four clans. The clans were Raccoon Clan, Squirrel Clan, Rat Clan and Beaver Clan. The raccoons could pick any lock. The beavers cold bite through steel. The rats could get in almost any place big and small. And the squirrels could climb anything tall or small.   Now was a hard time for all the clans. It was winter, snow covered the forest floor, and food was scarce. 

There was a time where every month when the sun was at its highest all four of the clans came to share all of the news. The clan leaders were the ones who shared most of the news so they sat on the stones where they could be seen and heard. King Trash Panda, the leader of Raccoon Clan explained that there was no food. Yowls of agreement came from members of the Raccoon Clan. 

    The Squirrel Clan leader, Nutheart spoke next. "Food is very scarce for the Squirrel Clan as well." 

 Food is very scarce!

There's no food!!!!!

Next the Beaver Clan leader, Woodchip spoke next. "Beaver Clan has plenty of food! We have wood everywhere around us!" 

    "Well, duh. It's a forest you dumb furball," said Cheeseheart, the leader of Rat Clan. 

    "Brave words for such a small little creature," snarled Woodchip." 

    "Enough!" interrupted Nutheart. "I have thought about how the food was scarce before I came to this gathering. And I think that those human thingies have plenty of food. I think that it's because they have money. Something that us animals do not have," Nutheart continued on. 

I'm hungry.

Same.

This is the last of our food.

"If we had a way to get some of this money we might be able to buy food." Questioning voices arose in the air. 

    "And what exactly do you mean we could buy food?" asked King Trash Panda. 

    "I think that with money the humans go to these places where they have loads of food. But if I am not mistaken you need money to get the food," answered Nutheart. 

    "And if what you are saying is true then how would we get any money?" inquired Cheeseheart.

"I think that humans keep their money in places called banks," explained Nutheart. 

    "If we could steal some of the money in the bank places we could buy all the food we wanted so long as we don't run out of money." 

    "And who is this we?" asked Woodchip. "Are you meaning to say that Beaver Clan would help your scrawny little Squirrel Clan?" 

     Nutheart bravely responded, "In fact, I've discussed this with my strongest, meanest, squirrels and Squirrel Clan is willing to fight! I propose that only for the time being all clans unite together to rob a bank!" 

"Why, why that's absolutely preposterous!" exclaimed Woodchip. 

    "Well I think that what Nutheart is saying makes sense," squeaked Cheaseheart with ferocity. King Trash Panda chimed in.

     "Personally  I believe that what Nutheart is saying is true. Three of the clans agree that food is scarce." "Well Woodchip, the decision is yours. Face three of the clans, or go along with us," bargained Nutheart. 

    Woodchip gave in with a sigh. "Oh well as long as Beaver Clan gets their share of food. And also I just happen to know where we can find a couple of cars to get us to the nearest bank." 

Hi.

Once they selected a couple of animals from all different clans, they tried to teach themselves how to drive. After a couple of crashes they finally got the hang of it. One animal would sit at the steering wheel to steer one would press the gas, and one would control the brake. They had no idea where the nearest bank was so they drove around town until they found a building that said "Bank." They decided that six animals would stay in the cars so that when the other animals came back with the money they could get out of there fast.

With six animals still in the cars, they only had four animals left to rob the bank. Since they only had four animals to rob the bank they decided that one animal would try to distract anybody who might try to stop them. If they could buy more time they thought they might be able to take two or three trips to get as much money as possible. They were actually able to take three trips before they were at risk of being caught. But when they hopped in the cars a police officer spotted them and yelled at them to stop. Of course, the little rodent rascals didn't stop. 

Stop in the name of the law!

Bank

Never!

Well the one police officer must have called for backup because in less than thirty seconds sirens from three police cars started blaring as they chased the animals down the streets. The animals started to form a plan to shake these police cars and of course, the police officers couldn't understand a word of what they were saying. 

    "There is a river over there!" Nuheart yelled over the sirens. "If we head there and turn at the last second they might fall into the river!" 

    "Okay!" yelled back Woodchip. 

    "Turn now!" screamed Cheeseheart. Both the cars turned and all of the animals except Cheeseheart thought the police cars took a cannonball into the water.