The Wild Robot

CHAPTER 31 THE FIRST NIGHT

The stars were out. A fire was crackling in the fire pit. Roz and Brightbill were settling into their first night in their new home.

“This lodge is where we will live from now on.” The robot plucked her son from his little woven nest and placed him on the floor. “I hope you like it.”

The gosling did like it. He liked that it was big and warm and peaceful. And he liked knowing that the forest and the pond were just outside. He waddled around, peeping to himself and exploring every little corner of the lodge until it was time for bed. His mother carefully laid him on a soft cushion of moss. But he didn’t want to sleep there. So she put him back in his little nest, but he didn’t want to sleep there either.

Brightbill looked up and said, “Mama, sit!”

Roz sat down.

Then he said, “Mama, hold!”

Roz held him. The robot’s body may have been hard and mechanical, but it was also strong and safe. The gosling felt loved. His eyes slowly winked closed. And he spent the whole night quietly sleeping in his mother’s arms.

CHAPTER 32 THE DEER

The deer family did not run from the sound of snapping twigs and crunching leaves. They had heard all about Roz and Brightbill, and they knew there was nothing to fear. Crownpoint stood before his doe and his three spotted fawns, and the family watched as the robot approached with the gosling on her shoulder.

“Hello, deer, my name is Roz, and this is Brightbill. We are looking for a doe named Tawny.”

Crownpoint moved aside, and the doe silently stepped forward.

“Mr. Beaver helped us build a lodge,” said Roz, “and he thought you might help us grow a garden.”

“Mr. Beaver helped you?” came Tawny’s gentle voice. “You must have done something for the beavers.”

“I brought them freshly cut trees,” said Roz.

Tawny looked at Crownpoint, and the buck slowly nodded.

“I will help you grow a garden,” said the doe to the robot, “if you will let my family eat from it.”

The robot nodded in agreement. And then she quietly led Tawny back to the Nest.

CHAPTER 33 THE GARDEN

After inspecting the grounds, Tawny asked Roz to remove all the dried brambles and weeds and leaves from the garden area. She asked her burrowing friends, the moles and the groundhogs, to dig through the dirt and loosen the soil. And then she asked all the neighbors to do something rather peculiar.

“Please leave your droppings around the Nest! The more droppings, the richer the soil, the healthier the garden.”

As you can imagine, Tawny’s request got everyone’s attention. The place was soon crawling with woodland creatures curious to hear more about the garden project. And just like that, the robot was meeting her neighbors. The plan to help her make friends was already starting to work.

There was a festive feeling around the Nest that day. Animals were coming and going and chatting and laughing. After some pleasant conversation, each neighbor would choose their spot, leave their droppings, and be on their way. And always with a smile.

“We’re happy to help!” said two smiling weasels after finishing up their business.

“It was our pleasure!” said a flock of smiling sparrows before they flew away.

“I shouldn’t be much longer, now,” said a smiling turtle as he slowly made his contribution.

As all this was going on, Roz walked around and thanked everyone. “I am not capable of defecating,” she explained, “so your droppings are most appreciated!”

Once the grounds were fertilized, it was time for the plants. Tawny brought Roz and Brightbill out to a lush meadow. The robot sank her fingers into the ground and felt the spongy layer of roots below the grass. Slowly, carefully, she rolled up wide strips of sod, exposing the dark, wormy soil. She carried the rolls back to the Nest and spread them out to make a patchy lawn. Then she transplanted clumps of wildflowers and clovers and berries and shrubs and herbs until the Nest was surrounded by a scraggly collection of plants.

“It’s not much to look at now,” said Tawny, “but the grass will grow into these gaps, and the flowers and bushes should perk up in a few days. I’ll return soon to make sure it’s all taking root. Before long this will be a lovely, wild garden.”