Cheese & Crackers

Later that morning, in the quiet Kearns’ house up in nine year old David’s bedrooom, Cheese, the puppet, sat staring out the open window. Just sitting and staring, sitting and staring. A little robin landed on a branch outside the window and treeted, “Wake up, Cheese! Wake up, Cheese!” Something stirred inside of Cheese’s head, chest, hands, and leg. Then he blinked. He heard the little robin say, “Wake up, Cheese! My name is Robin, and I need your help!” “What’s happening to me?” Cheese asked. “I feel alive!” Robin answered, “Yes, you are alive but for just six hours. I have seen you playing with David and staring out the window watching me fly around gathering twigs to build my nest. Now, I need your help. I went to Mother Nature, and she said she would grant you life for six hours to help me rescue Crackers. She would only agree if you are willing to assist me.” “At 3:00 pm today you will once again be an inanimate puppet. Will you please help me, Cheese?” Cheese looked confused and said, “This is all very unusual, very strange indeed.” “Will you help me?” Robin tweeted a little louder. “Who is Crackers?” Cheese asked. “And, why does Crackers need rescuing?” “Cheese! We don’t have time to talk. I can explain on the way,” Robin replied. “But, I can’t fly,” Cheese explained. “Mother Nature gave me this eagle feather to give to you. As long as you hold on to it, you will be able to fly alongside of me. Cheese! Will you please agree to help me?” Robin pleaded.