The Golden Footprints and the Visitor in the Tunnel

While Pip and Clover talked quietly about how to make a safe rope out of dandelion silk, Nutmeg knelt down near a glowing corner of the amber floor. The warm golden light caught a faint pattern of tiny tracks left behind in a light dusting of powdered moss by the subterranean beetles. Fascinated, Nutmeg gently traced the miniature paths with the tip of a grass stem, wondering where the bustling little visitors went after they scattered from the vibration.

She leaned in closer to look at the tiny marks left behind on the warm amber floorboards. With the soft light of the acorn-cap lamps shining down, she saw a neat trail of little paw prints winding around a corner near the back wall. She called the rest of the friends over to take a look, pointing out that the tracks led right toward a narrow opening they had not noticed before.

As Pip and Clover crowded around to examine the tiny beetle footprints, a soft rustling sound came from the dark tunnel opening ahead. Everyone stopped and watched the shadows.

A friendly squirrel named Jasper poked his head out of the tunnel, brushing stray bits of bark from his whiskers. He smiled at the group and explained that he had heard the lovely humming sound echoing through the lower tree roots. Curious about the music, he had wandered all the way up to see what was making such wonderful sounds inside the secret room.