The Airship Adventure

Yens wasn’t sure he liked the idea. He was fine with flying, and he did want to see the world from up above - after all, his favorite thing to do was to go to the top of his tree and look at the forest and the lands beyond.

He was okay with heights. What he was not okay with was leaving behind his comfy chair, morning coffee, cozy blanket, warm bed… and the garden.

“But Yens,” said Sommy the Badger, tightening the ropes around the basket, “we’ll be back. That’s the best thing - coming back home!”

Yens considered this. He did like the part about coming back. He especially liked the part where he'd relax near the fireplace with a nice warm cup of tea and remember this adventure as long since over.

Still, as the balloon began to lift, his ears twitched with uncertainty.

Spinny, who had packed three acorns, a length of string, and a single raisin “just in case”, was already lounging dramatically in the basket. He squeaked a triumphant note and closed his eyes against the breeze in pleasure.

The air grew cooler as they rose. The mountains stretched out in soft purples and blues below them, and the light felt like it had been painted just for today.

“Do you see that?” Sommy shouted from the front, pointing to a line of tiny glittering lakes.

“I see it,” Yens said softly, his voice full of wonder he hadn’t expected to feel quite so soon. “I think… I think I see everything.”

He leaned against the basket’s edge, paws gripping the ropes, his long fur waving in the wind.

Spinny climbed up beside him and squeaked a low, thoughtful note. Then he tucked one of his six little legs into Yens’ paw and sat very still.

There was something about being high above the world that made it feel even more precious.

Yens took a long, slow breath. The clouds smelled faintly of ice and far-off rain. The sun was climbing with them, golden and brave.

“I suppose,” he murmured, “if I have to leave my chair… this isn’t the worst way to do it.”

Spinny squeaked a soft note that might have meant see, it’s not so bad.

Far below, the forest waited. And far above, something new was beginning.

Yens smiled - just a little.
“Still,” he said, “I’ll be glad when we’re home again.”

Sommy grinned from the front of the basket.
“And that,” he called over the wind, “will be the best part.”