Manu’s Adventures. (Chapter One, Part 2)

Chapter One - Part 2

Maisy poked her head above the canoe’s wall and frowned. She had asked Abigail earlier if she knew of any bug filled spots and naturally, Abigail had voted The Dam as the number one hotspot for bugs.. Maisy, of course, ran full on to The Dam to see all the bugs for herself (and eat them).

If only Abigail had mentioned that the bugs were water bugs... Maisy thought to herself with a touch of annoyance. She watched the little water bugs darting here and there in the water for a few more seconds and then frowned at them one last time before jumping out of the canoe to head back to the land of Backyard.

She carefully climbed down the steep hill and paused, seeing the entrance to the Backyard was blocked. She went around to the not-so-secret opening that went under the Human coop and through to Backyard.  Half way through, Maisy heard Manu’s (“Food!”) call and groaned. 

She appreciated that Manu was looking out for her and all that but she was quite capable of looking after herself, being a good deal taller and faster. She was way faster than Manu who just seemed to ‘shuffle’ around. A small twinkle of satisfaction appeared in her eyes as she remembered how she had once mentioned that innocent little fact to Manu and how he had gotten into a silly little fit of denial. She looked around expecting Manu to pop up at any minute and start lecturing her about safety and list every single predator that wouldn't mind a chicken for a snack and sighed in relief as he didn't appear.

She sat down, deciding that there was no point in going further (just in case she ran into Manu).

It would be so nice…  She thought to herself If Manu would be so kind to mind his own- Is that an ant nest?!  She stood up and half ran, half walked over to the ant nest covered in nice fat juicy ants, Jackpot!  She smiled happily and flapped her wings in excitement.  Bon appetite!

~~~~ 

Manu looked down thoughtfully at the- What did the humans call it again? He stared at the steep hill trying to remember Oh yes…. The Cliffs of instances- No wait… The Cliffs of Insanity!  They had seemed very proud of the name at the time and laughed at each other, but personally, (having not seen movie- The Princess Bride) Manu didn't get it.  “I mean... Why not just name it “Cliff”?”  He muttered under his breath “Or clouds or grass hills… Why name it ‘Cliffs of Insanity’? That makes no sense at all.” He turned around to face the dam and strutted towards it. He jumped up onto the “Jetty Thing” and looked around.  Maisy isn't here either…. I wonder if she is avoiding me... He sat down on the jetty and sighed tiredly. His little booted legs were not very good at this walking-long-distances thing. 

Ta da! New Blog Style!!

You may have noticed that my blog has changed! Or if you did not, have a good look around...

Yes, Zach did it all! Hehehehehehe... He kept complaining about the other one and how it just looked weird and horrible, so I just decided to let him have a go and needless to say, I wasn't disappointed (not one bit) and now, I'm calling them The Lumpy-Dumpy Clouds (he even added a lumpy-dumpy butterfly!) He also suggested that I should rename my blog to "Thoughts in the Lumpy-Dumpy clouds"... Truth be told, I'm thinking about it!

***UPDATE***
Guess what?!
I've found the blog description editor!!!

Manu’s Adventures

Chapter One

Things were at its peak for Manu, he had a safe place to call home, lots of lady friends, food was in abundance and the grass was green. Manu paused to take a deep breath of fresh air and did the best interpretation of a smile his beak could do… Life was great. 

He hopped down from his perch in the “coop” -as the humans called it- and strutted off in search of food. After a few minutes, Manu spied the garden and quickened his pace to reach it faster. He hopped the last few paces and began to scratch the earth in search of grubs and worms. He kept at it for a minute or two and then clucked victoriously as he discovered a fat juicy grub and a worm. 

“Should I share or keep it for myself?” He thought, “I’ll share…  Maybe if I'm lucky, Maisy will be here before the others!” He sighed dreamily. Manu had been trying to win the young hen’s heart ever since she arrived to Buholga but she had often refused him. “Well... Might as well keep trying.”  He reasoned and then began to cluck loudly, “I found food! I found food!” He called “Come on everyone!” he heard the hens running over to him and turned, his heart slowly sank as he realised Maisy was not with them and quickly had to jump out of the way as the stampede came too close.

 He watched as the hens fought over the yummy grub and decided to back away to find something else to munch on. “Or maybe I should look for Maisy… It’s not like her to miss a chance for some food.”

He frowned slightly and puffed up his chest a little “I should go look for her… What if she is in danger?”  Manu still wouldn't acknowledge the fact that he was, indeed, slightly shorter than Maisy and therefore not really in a good position to go “saving” her. He strutted off in the direction of Duck pen to see if she had decided to visit with Amelia Limpy Duck as they seem to have had formed a bond. He reached Duck pen safely enough a flapped his wings to gain the attention of Albert Drake there. 

“Hullo Manu,” Albert waddled over to the wire mesh that separated himself and Manu “Is there anything I can help you with?” He asked curiously as Manu rarely ever visited him let alone talk to him. “Roosters and their air of importance...”  The drake thought to himself, “Stupid chickens…”

“Hello there Albert, I was just wondering if you have seen Maisy anywhere at all.” Manu asked “I found some food and she didn't come.” He added.

Albert did his best impression of an eye-roll “Oh, yes... So I heard.” He replied. It was hard not to hear Manu announcing that he had found food. “Maybe she just wasn't hungry?” Albert added simply. He turned quickly as he heard a rather loud splash and almost had a heart attack when he saw the little fluffy yellow ducklings in the human-made pond. He sighed in relief as he saw Abigail was there watching over them.

Manu looked a little crestfallen as he hadn't thought of that. “Oh... Do you think I should keep looking for her?” He asked.

 Albert looked back down at him and nodded “Oh yes, do keep looking for her.” He replied “I think I last saw her rushing over to get under the big human coop (House). “I would have liked to see if she was alright but I couldn't find an exit.” Albert added.  

“Then I’ll do just that.” Manu replied and then added; ‘Thank you for your assistance Albert.”  Manu then turned and strutted off towards the Human’s coop.

TO BE CONTINUED