Frozen Buddy

Frozen Buddy

Helen Weiss

The last thing I remember was Jenny and I roaming the walking track beside the pond. It was an unusually cold day and snow was everywhere, but Jenny and I were indestructible and knew the path well. We walked it every day; me in Jenny’s backpack.

“You okay back there Buddy?” She always checked on me.

We heard a rustle in the dense bushland lining the track. As Jenny turned quickly to find the culprit, she inadvertently tossed me into the pond, quite unawares!

“Ah it’s just a water dragon, most likely looking for some bugs.” She waived him on and started walking, not realising that I was in the pond up to my neck in freezing water. I couldn’t call her; we only shared whispers at night in her bed. School, friends, homework and secrets. She wouldn’t hear me. I couldn’t move. The pathway circled the now frozen pond so Jenny would not be coming back this way, she would finish her adventure back at home.

She must have stopped to look at this and that, picking flowers for mum and talking to me as she does, but she hurried home as fresh snow was falling. She would throw her backpack on the hook in the mud room and pick me out of my usual position. But I wasn’t there!

The snow was biting through my fur and I knew I had to keep awake or die right there. I called as loudly as I could, attracting a magpie.

“What are you doin’ there Buddy.” She asked. It’s snowing and you’re stuck in the ice! Are you mad?”

“No I’m not mad.” I am the victim of a water dragon sighting! I can’t call Jenny loudly enough to have her rescue me. I am hoping she will notice I am not there when she reaches home.”

Magpie chipped her spiky beak at the snow and got to the ice I was trapped in.

“It’s too frozen Buddy. I’m sorry I can’t help you.” As she flew away. I was fading as the tight hold of the ice got into my soft parts. Even if I were to be rescued, an arm or leg would snap under the frozen hold.

Kangaroos were on the path now, just ahead of me looking for grass in the paddock. Now I could be saved! I called out and my tiny whisper was just strong enough for the ears of a kangaroo. Alan and Jeffery hopped my way.

“Lads!” I whispered desperately. “Help me out. I’m stuck.”

“Hmm, Alan would you opine on the outcome of a Buddy rescue?” He scratched an ear.

“Not likely Jeffrey. He’s well stuck.” Answered Jeffrey.

They both clawed at my surrounds and moved the fresh snow but couldn’t break the hold that the pond had on me. “Awfully sorry Buddy but the ice is too thick, and we can’t dislodge you. Good luck!” And off they hopped.

A Koala with her cub holding firm shimmed down the closest tree.

“Kate! Can you use your formidable claws to dig me out of here?” Asked Buddy.

Kate wanted to help. “I can’t with this cub stuck to me. Sorry Buddy. She climbed back up into the tree.

All of a sudden, a loud shriek emanated from the house.

“BUDDYYYYYY!” It was Jenny! She discovered that I was missing. I was rather a long way into the path and Jen’s Mum, Dad, and her brother set out to find me. They arrived but slowly, as the snow was getting heavier.

“Here he is!” Shouted my brother Dave.

Dad sent Dave running back to the house for a shovel.

“Step back, all of you, this ice may shatter and cause you harm.” Dad broke the snow and ice like it was butter.

“There ya go Jen.” She was crying happy tears. I was as stiff as a board from the tough ice. We all turned for the house where Mum got straight onto cups of hot tea for all.

Jenny hugged me and placed me in front of the fire to thaw. Slowly I could move my limbs just enough to ascertain they worked properly but without attracting attention. I whispered a weary thank you to my lovely Jen.

She understood. After all. Teddys don’t talk.