Green Thumbs and Wily Woodchucks
A Willowbrook Short Story
Hello, magical reader. This is a free short story for paid subscribers of Nyx Halliwell’s Cozy Corner and can be enjoyed over a cup of your favorite brew or before snuggling down to sleep. ☕️💜
💜 I’ve added an audio recording of the story at the end for my paid subscribers. Enjoy! (And if you’re not a paid subscriber and would like access to the audio, as well as other bonuses, you can become a Cozy Corner member here: https://nyxhalliwellauthor.substack.com/subscribe?)
Have you started my new series? It’s sweet as candy ;-) Tricks and Treats, A Witchy Candy Shop Mystery, https://www.nyxhalliwell.com/trick-and-treats-a-witchy-candy-shop-mystery-book-1
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Willowbrook, a picturesque town nestled between rolling hills and lush forests, exudes an enchanting charm with its cobblestone streets and cozy cottages. This welcoming community is a place where the magic of everyday life flourishes.
Summer in Willowbrook was always a time of vibrant blooms and bountiful harvests. The community garden, a beloved project tended by nearly every resident, thrived under the collective care of green-thumbed neighbors. Ember, the town librarian, and her friend Oliver, the local artist, were particularly proud of their contributions to the flourishing garden.
One sunny morning, as Ember and Oliver admired the rows of tomatoes, carrots, and zucchinis, Ember noticed something peculiar. “Oliver, look at this,” she called, pointing to a patch of trampled plants and half-eaten vegetables. “Someone’s been having a midnight snack.”
Oliver frowned, examining the damage. “This isn’t just someone’s snack. It’s a feast. And it looks like they’re making a mess of our hard work.”
Determined to uncover the mystery, Oliver set up a live-feed camera, strategically positioned to capture nocturnal activity. They hoped the footage would reveal the culprit behind the garden raids.
The next morning, Oliver and Ember eagerly reviewed the footage. To their surprise, the camera had caught a wily woodchuck helping himself to a cucumber, then finishing off two ears of corn. Chuck seemed to find the camera amusing, stopping to investigate it and munch directly in front of the lens, almost as if he was performing for an audience.
Ember chuckled at the entertainer. “Well, he certainly knows how to enjoy himself.” On screen, he stuffed his cheeks with more produce before lumbering off. “But we can’t have him destroying the garden.”
The following night, Chuck’s antics continued, and while his performances provided a few laughs for Ember and Oliver, the damage to the garden was a growing concern. Seeking a solution, they turned to Mrs. Grayson, the owner of the Enchanted Emporium and a master of magical remedies.
She listened to their predicament and clapped her hands with a soft chuckle. “It sounds like our visitor is quite the character,” she mused. “I have an idea that might keep everyone happy. How about we fence off the largest portion of the garden for the community’s use while leaving a corner specifically for Chuck?”
Oliver got to work on that and when he was finished, Mrs. Grayson added a few whispered enchantments to reinforce the boundary with a magical barrier designed to keep Chuck out of the main garden.
The new arrangement worked like a charm. Chuck and his family—a wife and two adorable kits—quickly discovered the section of the garden reserved just for them. They seemed to appreciate their designated spot, and Chuck continued his nightly visits, but now got his children to perform silly antics on camera.
Oliver and Ember set up the feed of Chuck’s area to be available for library patrons to watch. Ember kept the library open later and later, allowing townsfolk to view the ‘wild’ entertainment.
One evening, Ember and Oliver relaxed in the garden, Clover the kitten purring contentedly on Ember’s lap. Mrs. Grayson picked herbs for her shop and sipped iced tea. Visiting early, Chuck and his family snuck into their special spot, watching them from a distance.
The woodchuck kits played gleefully, while Chuck and his wife nibbled on the fresh veggies. Then the animal couple produced a slab of wood with something carved into it and left it behind before waddling off.
“What is it?” Mrs. Grayson asked.
“It’s perfect,” Ember said, smiling as Oliver showed it to her. The woodchuck family had carved a set of paw prints and several small human hands into the wood. “Chuck gets his share, and we get to enjoy our garden without any more destruction.”
Oliver nodded in agreement. “And the live feed has turned him into a bit of a local celebrity. It’s amazing how he and his family have brought all of us together.”
Mrs. Grayson sipped her herbal tea and nodded. “Magic isn’t always about spells and potions. Sometimes it’s about finding a way to live in harmony with the world around us.”
Clover meowed her approval.
As the sun set over Willowbrook, casting a golden glow over the garden, Ember, Oliver, and Mrs. Grayson were joined by others. Oliver hung the carving on the fence and Clover purred again approvingly.
The community garden thrived, thanks to their efforts and a touch of enchantment. And the town found joy in sharing their bounty with their mischievous neighbor, Chuck and his family.
In the heart of Willowbrook, the spirit of cooperation and community flourishes, just like the garden they all cherish.
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Blessed be,
Nyx 💜