Dear Diary,

Today is the first full day of the beginning of the fall season, and there is so much to do before the cold weather and snow set in. The air feels crisp, and the leaves are just starting to change colors in the Whispering Woods. It reminds me that soon enough, we’ll be preparing for winter. I spent the morning hopping around to check on my friends, making sure everyone is ready for the busy days ahead. There’s firewood to gather, food to store, and homes to fortify. Charlie the Chipmunk is already stuffing his cheeks with acorns, and Molly the Mouse has been organizing her nest with soft, warm leaves.

After checking in on everyone, I started preparing my own home for the colder months. I gathered some fresh grass and sturdy twigs to reinforce the walls of my burrow. It’s always a bit of work, but the effort makes my home feel safe and cozy when the snow comes. I also took a moment to sit by the stream, just watching the water flow. It’s calming to think that even as the seasons change, some things in the Whispering Woods remain constant, like the sound of the sparkling stream. I wonder what surprises this fall will bring.

By the end of the day, I felt proud of how much we accomplished. But there’s still more to do! Tomorrow, we’ll tackle the corn harvest with all the animals working together. Even Rocky Raccoon promised to help—though I hope he doesn’t get distracted by playing any of his pranks! As I settle in for the night, I can’t help but feel grateful for the forest friends and all the ways we take care of each other. Winter is coming, but we’ll be ready.

Time for bed.

— 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