This morning, I was woken up way earlier than I’d planned. The sound of constant drilling echoed through the woods, rattling my ears. It was Walter again—Walter the Over-Eager Redheaded Woodpecker—pecking away at the old oak next door. He must’ve been searching for his breakfast, but the racket he makes! It wasn’t just me; I’m sure half the neighborhood was wide awake too.

Walter is a peculiar fellow. He’s got energy for days and a talent for pecking that could probably bring down a mountain if he really set his mind to it. I’ve talked to him about his early morning drilling many times. Each time, I ask him if he could be a little quieter—maybe wait until the sun is a bit higher in the sky before he starts his noisy work. He always promises to be more careful, and for a few days, he really does try. But soon enough, Walter’s enthusiasm gets the better of him, and we’re back to square one.

The thing with Walter is that he just can’t help himself. He’s incredibly passionate about his craft, always searching for bugs under the bark, fixing up his little nest in the trees. He’s actually quite skilled—other birds often ask him for help with their homes—but his overzealous nature sometimes makes him forget about the rest of us trying to get some peace and quiet.

Walter’s not a bad bird at all. In fact, he’s one of the friendliest in the Whispering Woods. He’s just… impulsive. When he’s in the moment, he gets so caught up that he forgets the promises he’s made. I know he means well, but keeping promises is important, and I hope one day he’ll realize that sticking to his word is just as valuable as his enthusiasm.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll have another chat with him—hopefully after a full night’s sleep!

That’s all for now, Diary.

Until tomorrow –

Benny

You can learn much more about Benny and his Whispering Woods friends while reading their exciting adventure stories at:

https://bennysbraveadventures.com

Sing their songs, too:

youtube.com/@bennysbraveadventures

Read their books:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hong+z+mccormickm