A WOODLAND COUNSEL
By A. Woodcutter

It was after the meeting and the creatures of the woodland and park had gone home for their suppers. Before retiring for bed, Wando, the woodland elf, had remained seated, cross-legged, on one of the many tree stumps in the woodland. Well! He thought, the parklands have found some friends who will fight for them and I do think the rabbits will help when they realise they're about to lose their right to roam on their country park. Wando became aware he was not alone; "hello Woodmouse," he said. "you caught me deep in thought - it is getting near dusk, don't you think it is time for you to be safe indoors?" "I have listened to what's being said at the meeting and I am very puzzled" said Woodmouse.

"Tell me what puzzles you Woodmouse," said Wando. "Well said Woodmouse, you said the bad magician who lives in the People's Palace high on a hill at Matlock, was trying to make our parkland disappear, with the help of humans called councillors." " That is correct!" said Wando. " Then you told those gathered about the Squirrel Nutkins squabble, and you explained about the humans who use a secret sign to enter the Mason's Inn, where they repeat over and over again, you do this for me, and I will do this for you.!" "Yes, that is correct," says Wando. "Well" said Woodmouse, "you said these humans were very rich and prominent people in the big village, down the lane, called Derventio. Well, if they are very rich, why do they want to take our parkland away from us, and the simple folk of Elvaston?"

"Let me explain" said Wando. "Some humans have a sickness and this sickness is called GREED. They can never have enough of a thing called LUCRE. Now Lucre is a thing that some humans crave for and will sell their souls to the Devil so they can possess more of this thing called Lucre. Nothing means anything to them. Their children, their community, their conscience. Their every thought is for possessing more lucre. That is how they become very rich. They do not see the beauty of the wildflower meadow, or our wildlife haven. They look at these as a way of possessing more lucre. They don't see the flowers, or the trees, or hear the singing of our friends, the birds. They do not hear the happy laughter of the children running and playing safely in a country park. They do not see the heritage of a country house. They see only one thing - lucre. Yes Woodmouse, avarice and greed are a terrible sickness and, some say, those who have this sickness can spread it to their children and it makes them lie and cheat, deceive and connive. This is truly a terrible sickness. Now, run off home, before night falls, and we will talk another day."

Wando woke early the following morning, having had a troubled sleep. He did not want to let the creatures of the parkland know how worried he really was about the possible loss of their parkland. For all who live in the woodland look to Wando to solve all of their problems and disputes. For Wando had lived for many years with Wise Owl in the Tree of Wisdom and Wando had been a good and studious pupil. Someone was shaking the bluebell outside the hollow tree where Wando lived. "Come in!" called Wando. "Hello Woodmouse, (when he appeared around the door), would you like a cup of dandelion tea, a slice of hot buttered toast, and a bowl of thick damson jam?" "Yes please!" said Woodmouse, enthusiastically. "Could we continue our talk from last evening please?" asked Woodmouse.

"You said that the humans, who want to take our parkland away from us and the simple folk of Elvaston, have a terrible sickness called greed, and all they think of is a thing called lucre. Well on my way home last evening I went past the Mason's Inn, and some humans came slithering out. One said to the other that he was going to shave his face for something called charity. Well I thought when the simple folk of Derventio did things for charity, they were good people. Woodmouse, my little friend, you have much to learn. Some humans are honest and good but like I told you, some have the sickness called greed and also like I told you, it makes them lie and cheat, deceive and connive, so when they say they are doing something for charity, they are not doing it to be a good person, they are doing it to deceive the simple folk. Some shave their heads, others shave their faces, some open fetes or start boat races, some say they help the sick, the poor, the dying, but all the time, they deceive, connive, they are lying. All the time they think of lucre. So, Woodmouse, in our kingdom, we know our enemies, but in the human's kingdom they do not know who is their friend, and who is their enemy. On their face, they wear a smile. But behind the smile is a mind that thinks of only one thing - lucre. This sickness they have Woodmouse, is certainly a terrible thing."

"Woodmouse", said Wando, "all the creatures of the parkland must now unite and stop what these rich greedy people intend to do to ours and the simple folk's country park." "But what can we do?" said Woodmouse? "against such rich and prominent humans?" "We must send Jackdaw, who speaks their language, to make contact with the simple folk of the village of Derventio, and find out the names of these humans who have the sickness of greed and avarice, and if they do not go away from our parkland, they and those who do their bidding will never find happiness, for I, Wando the Wise will go deep into the parkland and find the Wizard of the Woods and ask him to cast a spell on them. Although their pockets may be stuffed with gold, their lives will be empty. You have asked your questions Woodmouse, you have eaten your hot-buttered toast and bowl of damson jam, and have drunk your dandelion tea, so now run and find jackdaw, I have work for him."