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Early May ----- The Creature

Alphonse was looking out of the window this morning and spotted something in the tree in the front yard. He said it was a strange creature and decided to get his rifle and go check it out. He strapped the rifle on his back and ran out the back door and around the end of the house. I hope the cat isn't around.

Meanwhile the creature flew over to the bush and then jumped to the ground and looked around the corner. It apparently scared both of them, and the creature flew up into the bush. "HONK" ! What in the world was that, Alphonse yelled? I've never heard a noise like that.

That was me, the creature in the bush said. Why do you make that strange noise, Alphonse asked? That's my call, the creature said, and it's not strange! What do you need with a call, Alphonse asked? Every animal or bird has a call of some kind, the creature said. Do you Honk all the time, Al asked? No, mostly when we are flying, the creature said.

I still think that's a very strange call, said Alphonse. Well, it's not strange to me, said the creature. Are you gong to shoot me, asked the creature? Uuuuuh, no, I don't think so, said Alphonse. That's great, said the creature, so why do you have the rifle? Well, I thought you might be dangerous, said Alphonse. How do you know I'm not dangerous, asked the creature? Well, you don't exactly look dangerous, said Alphonse.

If you promise not to shoot me, I will come talk to you, said the creature. I promise, said Alphonse. Actually, I just realized that I don't want to shoot anything, said Alphonse. I think I will sell the rifle.

OH - you are a duck, exclaimed Alphonse! No, I am a goose, said the creature. What's the difference, asked Alphonse? My neck is longer and I say HONK instead of QUACK, said the goose. What's your name, asked Alphonse? My name is Golly, said the goose. Golly Goose, asked Alphonse? That's right, said Golly. Alphonse said, my name is Alphonse, and this is where I live. Are you a pig, Golly asked? NO, Alphonse said, I am a dog. Oh, what's your call, asked Golly. Alphonse said, my call is WOOF. That seems like a very strange call to me, said Golly.

Well, now that I know what you are, let's be buddies, said Alphonse! We can go in the house and talk and I can show you what I do all day. I've never been in a house, said Golly. Where do you live, asked Alphonse? In a nest, said Golly. Where is your home, asked Alphonse? I live in Canada in the summer and in Texas in the winter, said Golly. Where is Canada, asked Alphonse? Way up north, said Golly. Why are you in Arkansas, asked Alphonse? Well, I was on the way home to Canada and I got lost during a storm and ended up here, said Golly. As soon as I figure out which way is North I will head home for the summer, he added.

This is the computer room closet where I hang out most of the time, said Alphonse. Why do you hang out in a closet, asked Golly? Well, said Alphonse, there's lots of shelves to play on, books of all kinds, musical instruments and tools. Are you married, asked Golly? NO,said Alphonse, are you? I'm too young now, but I will be old enough next year, said golly. What do you do all day, asked Golly?

Some times, I play the guitar. I have been practicing a lot. I want to start a band when I can find some more critters that play. It turns out learning to play the guitar is much harder than I thought it would be, said Alphonse.

Last week we worked on Mac's Dobro, said Alphonse. First we fixed the string motors and then I plucked the strings while Mac made some adjustments. I help with everything around the house and in the shop.

Well, Golly and Al finally figured out which way north was and it was time for Golly to head for home. They were both a little sad because they had just met and were good buddies. However, Golly promised to stop in on his next trip, and we all said goobye.

And so, with sad hearts we watched as Golly disappeared over the shop on the way to his reunion with his family in Canada. I'm sure they will be glad to see him as I know they have been worried. We hope he will return next year.

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