written by Tasha Brown

Illustrations by Kelly Brown

Copyright 2017

All Rights Reserved

Dedicated to my darling daughter Kaydance

"Yipee!" cried Apple Jack. "I am so excited to see how our apple trees are doing. Let's go Gala Gang! Hurry..hurry!" When Apple Jack and the Gala Gang arrived at their orchard, they couldn't believe their eyes! They began to dance with delight at the sight of the sweet, shiny, apples that were ready and ripe.

"In the 1000 years that we have lived here at Glittershine, I have never, ever, seen so much fruit ! No hungry bellies for us this winter," declared Apple Jack."We will be living like the Queen Bee herself!"

BuZZZZZZZZZZZZ......BuZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ..

BuZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

"Did I hear somebody mention my name?"

• It was the Queen Bee! The ruler of Glittershine, and she `was busy, busy, busy trying to keep the gardens free of those nuisances - the gnats!

Apple Jack showed Queen Bee his prized apples.

He and the Gala Gang spent 365 days a year tending and caring for their precious orchard, and he was especially proud of this year's production!

He noticed she seemed quite distracted.

"Is there something I can do to help you Queen Bee?"

"Hmmmm..Well, I am feeling rather tired and would like to catch some ZZZZ's.

Would you mind checking on Berry Blue and Petra Pumpkinski for me?

They are having some problems, some pests I'm afraid. The Gnats in the garden - the garden they raid!"

"Oh no! Not the Gnats! I will go check on Petra Pumpkinski and Berry Blue for you right now!"

So away he went! Apple Jack began the short walk through the forest to check on his neighbours.

He decided to stop at

Berry Blue's place first.

"Hey Berry Blue! How do you do?

Queen Bee has asked me

to come check upon you."

"Are the Gnats in your garden,

did your garden they raid?"

She has but one question,

one question today...

"My dear Apple Jack. I'm afraid it is

true. The Gnats, they have been here...what should I do? 

They've taken most berries,

my seeds and my plants.

I won't last the winter..

Survive? I just can't!"

"We must check with Petra Pumpkinski,"cried Apple Jack. "What if the Gnats have eaten her garden too? "

"Yes, my sweet Apple Jack.

So right and so true. We will  work together... I am coming with you."

As Apple Jack and Berry Blue  walked to Petra Pumpkinski's place, his mind raced like a freight train. He didn't want to upset Berry Blue, so he kept his thoughts to himself. He didn't want to tell her that he was scared. He didn't want to tell her that he was worried. Apple Jack knew that if the Gnats raided Petra Pumkinski's garden, they would all be in trouble this winter!

Apple Jack had enough apples for the Gala Gang and himself , but there were not enough apples to feed Berry Blue and Petra Pumpkinski too. Not for very long, that is.

"I must think positive thoughts," he said quietly to himself.

As they approached Petra Pumpkinski's, they could see her standing quietly in her garden. And then they heard her cry...

"Oh heavens! Oh Golly!

Oh me and Oh my!

Only two pumpkins left?

I think I will cry!

I have just one question,

one question today....

Were the Gnats in my garden,

did my garden they raid?"

Berry Blue and Apple Jack confirmed the news. The Gnats had raided her garden, and they had taken from Berry Blue's too.

The friends were silent, and not a word was said for some time. Finally, Apple Jack screamed...

"THE GNATS!

Those nasty Gnats!

They eat all of our food, 

yet give nothing back!"

"They must be horrible, awful things.

With ghost like eyes, that nightmares bring.

No heart, no hands, with a wicked mean grin,

Without a care that we will soon grow thin."

"We will call the Queen Bee,

and come up with a plan.

We must stop these darn Gnats,

for the sake of our clan!"