Teamwork
Well, as you know, another season of stuffocating new animals for our exhibits is about to be underway. Of, course, there have been some snags.
Our summer plans included reaching the southern tip of the Platypus Archipelago, by way of the Blue Ink strait. But, as we began packing for our boating trip (taking much advice from Kilgore on high seas adventuring), we found a tear in the hull of our boat.
“Well this is just great,” Karl said. “We don’t have time for this. Now we’ll have to find a welder, which will cut into our stuffocator funds, and we won’t make it in time to see the great Pinstripe Penguin migration pass by the islands!”
Karl was a little upset at me for wasting so much time in the tropics the first time we went on such a long journey, and to make it up to him, I promised we could do whatever he wanted. And what he wanted – what he’s always wanted – was to see the great Pinstripe Penguin migration. Now we were in a pickle that had the potential to make him grumpy all summer long.
“You assess the damage, Karl, and I’ll ask around about welders,” I said, leaving him to cool off for a moment.
I went to the North American mammals exhibits first, as they are always the most studious of stuffed animals.
“Buckwald – do you know any good welders that can get here fast, and repair the bottom of our boat?”
“Well, let me think,” the little black-and-white stuffed badger said, twitching his spotted nose. “I knew a boy once, in Flint. His daddy was a welder. If someone taught me how to read and write, I could write him a letter asking if he could ask his daddy if he could do it.”
“Teach you how to read and write!?” I yelled. “Buckwald we don’t have time right now!”
“Oh,” the poor badger said. “I’m sorry.”
And I felt about as bad as could be after that. “Buckwald, I’m sorry I yelled at you. I didn’t mean it, and I would be happy to teach you how to read and write when we get back. But Karl is very upset about this, and I need to have it fixed today, or we’ll miss the annual Pinstripe Penguin migration.”
“The Pinstripe Penguin migration?!” the badger perked up. “Well, why didn’t you say so! You should go and talk to Carcajo. He’s been learning how to weld at night. It keeps the rest of us awake, but apparently it’s a useful skill to have.”
“Oh, Buckwald, thank you so much!”
I went just two exhibits over, and called the stuffed wolverine. He sort of waddled up, all furry and cute. I remember how happy we were the day we stuffocated him. . .
But that must be a story for a different day.
“Carcajo! We need your help. Buckwald told us you were learning how to weld. Do you think you could fix the tear in our boat?”
“No problem!” he replied. “I can fix anything. I’m the best welding wolverine around.”
“Well, I’d believe that,” I said. “Come on, I’ll show you where the boat is. And thank you so much for being such a handy stuffed wolverine! No home should be without one!”
“Aww, no sweat.”
I got back to the boat with Carcajo and Karl and I watched him work. It was truly amazing. We were able to finish packing on time, and my next blog entry will be from the Platypus Archipelago!
Carcajo inspecting his work
