The Race Home (Part 4)

As reported last week, poor Vinnie lost the Race Home by a mere three minutes. Who won? What sort of brilliant mode of transportation did the winner come up with?

The winner was a ‘munk named Howie. You probably know this type, Howie is one of those critters who slides through life with the least amount effort required. Before, the Woodpilers were transported to Paradise Island, Howie was living in the basement of his parent's burrow. He spent his days playing video games and his nights drinking with his buddies. The slow laid back pace of Paradise Island suited him just fine. He had no plans to return to the Woodpile and the constant insistence of parents to get a job. (The only job he was qualified for was bagging seeds at the local seedmart.) He finally felt like he had gained his freedom here on the island. He could do as he wished which amounted to spending his days lounging on the beach and his nights drinking fermented coconut water. One night he emerged from the nightclub to find a cold hard rain pelting the island. Shivering he sought shelter in a tin can lying on the beach. He curled up inside and fell fast asleep despite the howling wind and the sound of the waves getting closer and closer.

He woke up two days later with the world’s worst hangover (or at least that is what he thought his problem was.) His body felt like it was bobbling up and down and side to side. He had heard stories from his buddies about hangovers that made you think the world was spinning around. He decided may be it was time quit drinking. First order of business was to find a large cup of strong black coffee. He climbed out of his tin can and was met with a spray of salt water in his face. He thought it must be one his buddies throwing a bucket of water on him. He turned around in a complete circle looking for the culprit but there was no one there. In fact, he wasn’t on the beach anymore. He was surrounded by a an endless and vast expanse of sea. He slipped back down to the bottom of his tin can in shock and disbelief.

By some miracle, Howie’s tin can drifted into the gulf stream current and was swept along at a rapid pace. After a bit of experimenting, Howie discovered he could used the lid of the tin as a sail.

Within a few days, Howie floated up the pond near the Woodpile. He realized no one would believe his crazy story, so, he dragged the tin can along with him to the Woodpile as proof. He was a bit surprised to be met with cheers and congratulations from the gathered onlookers. He asked what all the fuss was about. Some one clued him to the fact he had won the race home from Paradise Island! (Howie did not let on he had never even heard about the race.) His tin boat was decorated with flowers, and a feast of real sunflowers was served.

Bushy the Squirrel steps back to see if the flower arrangement is perfect.

Howie stares dumbfounded. He can’t believe all this fuss is about him!

This was a life changing moment for Howie. He decided he wanted to do something meaningful with his life. But, first things first …

After days at sea, Howie was starving. He wolfed down the seeds and was even licking the plate clean.

 
After polishing off the first dish, he politely asks for seconds.

 

Howie who is normally a bit of a chatter box, was left speechless when the editor of National Geographic stepped out of the crowd and offered him a job traveling to exotic places for the magazine. He finally stammered "You want to give me a real job??"

 

When he could eat not a single seed more, he stopped to tell his fantastic tale to the crowd.