7 Eyes on the Stars

7 EYES ON THE STARS "Suppertime!" Charlie called from below. "Wonderful! I'm starving!" Teddy exclaimed. Teddy, John, Jack, and Annie climbed back down to the campsite. The crisp mountain air smelled of woodsmoke. Charlie and Archie were cooking over a campfire. Everyone sat on logs close to the warm, crackling heat. Charlie passed out plates piled with fried chicken, steak, and bread. Teddy spoke to John between big mouthfuls of food. "So. Tell me everything you're worried about." "Many things, sir," said John. "Hunters and trappers have overrun the valley. Black bears and wolverines are being caught and killed in steel traps."

"What?" said Annie. "Shh," said Jack. He wanted to hear John and Teddy. Their conversation sounded important. "What is the biggest threat to the wilderness? What do you fear most?" Teddy asked John. "I fear greed, sir. Human greed," said John. "Some want to clear the land here and build hotels and shops. Some try to slaughter the most beautiful birds just to sell their feathers for hats!" "That's terrible," Annie whispered to Jack. "But I believe I may grieve most for the big trees, sir," said John. "Some companies want to cut down the mighty giants only to make money! They think the forests are merely factories for wood! Only a few years ago, one of the oldest trees in the grove was cut down." "Oh, no!" Annie said to Jack. "Thieves! Scoundrels!" said Teddy. "Yes," said John. "That tree was one of the largest living things on this earth. Fourteen hundred years old. It took three weeks to saw down the mighty giant." Annie softly moaned. She put her face in her hands. "It's okay," Jack whispered to her, though he

didn't think it was okay. How could anyone want to destroy one of the most incredible trees on earth? Teddy heaved a sigh. "Well, you've given me much to think about, John," he said. He stood up and stretched. "It's time to say good night, friends. I love sleeping in the cool, clean mountain air. Keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the stars." Teddy headed to a stack of blankets prepared by the rangers. He lay down on them, and within minutes, he was snoring loudly. John turned his attention to Jack and Annie. "The rangers have prepared two nice piles of blankets for you over there," he said. "Thank you," said Jack. Annie kept her head down. "Is Annie okay?" John asked. "I'm good, thanks," Annie said in a muffled voice. "She's just tired," Jack said to John. "So am I," said John kindly. "Well, get some rest. You both deserve it." "Thank you," said Jack. After John left, Jack gently patted Annie on the back. "Come on, let's go," he said.

Annie stumbled after him to their camp beds. "A good night's sleep will make you feel better," said Jack, sounding like their mom. Annie didn't say anything. "Tomorrow will be a really fun day, I promise," said Jack. "Thanks," Annie said in a small voice. They both lay down. Exhausted and cold, Jack pulled his wool blankets tightly up to his chin. He was half asleep when something woke him. He looked around. Annie was missing from her bed.

Jack jumped up. His heart was pounding. Teddy was snoring louder than ever. John slept on the bare ground without blankets. The rangers slept near the fire. Jack saw a small dark shape huddled near the animals. "Annie!" he whispered. He hurried over and crouched down beside her. "Hey, what are you doing?" "I just want to cry by myself," Annie said. "I—I can't stop thinking about that giant tree that was cut down. For over a thousand years, that tree held birds and squirrels. It raised its branches to the sky.

It felt the wind and the sun and the rain. I wonder, did the tree feel anything when they were sawing it down? That's… that's what I keep wondering…." She covered her face and shook with a sob. "I don't know if trees feel," Jack said. He could hardly bear to think about it. After a moment, he stood up. "Come on," he said. "Let's do something. Let's climb up to the overlook. Maybe we can see the waterfall at night." "I don't feel like it," said Annie. Jack didn't feel like it, either, but he wanted to do something to help Annie. "It could be fun," he said. "Okay." Annie wiped her face with her jacket sleeve and stood up. They walked to the dark boulders and started climbing. Jack was the first to reach the top. "Whoa!" he said. The dark purple sky was filled with countless dots of light. "You're going to love this!" he whispered as Annie climbed over the ledge. "Oh!" she breathed. "Billions of stars!" "Incredible, huh?" said Jack.