affame_le_geant_he_swept_her_up fyn gula when puppertwinkle heard the three words "save your life," coming from the mouth of the woodpecker, he was enthralled in the grip of one, like the victim of a snakebite; instant numbing fear shot as electricity through his network of jangly nerves. he ran pell-mell to saumboo, tail between his legs, ears flat back. "senor! he said, announcing with a quivering, hysterical voice, "vamos a morir!" he was frightened into believing they were about to die. "calma abajo," saumboo said, telling him to settle down. he soothed the little dog and told him to gently carry the woodpecker to the cart. puppertwinkle found carrying a live bird in his mouth far more heartening than the load of dead ones he had to lift out of the way. the woodpecker was light and she made moans of pain when he accidently handled her roughly. but, he became sensitive to her certain complaints, shifted her about in his grip and then proceeded to carry her and set her at saumboo's feet. saumboo bent down and felt along her skinny body until he found a suitable place for lifting her. then he swept her up to his lips and spoke to her with soft concern. "don't worry," he said, stroking the feathers of her chest. "we will take care of you and you can stay with us as long as you like." "thank you," the woodpecker gasped. "i must drink and then i have important news for you to hear." the last four words came out as a desperate mumble. "shhhh. shhhhhh," saumboo uttered, running his hand along her back feathers. he could tell she would recover quickly. "you'll have all the water you can drink," he said, smiling. he listened to hear if puppertwinkle was still beside him, but the little twinkle boy was already in the cart getting her some refreshments. 020621 what's it to you? who go blather from