Story: Mushrooms Hidden In The Watercolor Woods

“Where are we going, Pip?” Asks Mia, the blue jay. She swoops down and circles above her closest friend, Pip, the deer mouse.

Pip smiles, “I’m not sure yet. I want to explore further down the riverbank today.”

“Let’s go!” Mia encourages her.

“Oh!” Pip gasps. “Look! A tree has fallen, and its roots are enormous!”

“Hey, this is interesting, Pip. Mushrooms are growing around the roots,” Mia observes. She hops closer to get a better look, “Oh! Pretty red ones with white spots!

“They are beautiful, Mia. Are they safe to touch?” Pip wonders out loud.

“Let me see!” A voice giggles.

“Moonbeam!” Pip greets her woodland friend. “Do you know anything about mushrooms?”

“Yes,” Moonbeam, the skunk, waddles closer. “My mama taught me all about them. Let me see.”

Pip points, “These. What about these pretty red ones with the white spots?”

“Those are fly agaric.” Moonbeam shares with Mia and Pip. “They are beautiful, but fly agaric makes you sick if you eat even the tiniest bit.”

“Good to know!” Mia flaps her wings. “Which ones are safe to eat and touch?”

“Let me see…,” Moonbeam looks around. “These. They are called Boletus and are safe to eat. They grow near the base of oak trees, like this one.”

Pip frowns, “But these are not very pretty. They are rather plain. The others were beautiful to look at and touch.”

“What about these here?” Mia points to some tall, pale mushrooms.

“Those are called death caps. They are poisonous. Do not eat those,” Moonbeam says with a serious tone in her voice.

Pip’s whiskers twitch, “Mushrooms seem dangerous.”

“They are not all dangerous, Pip,” Moonbeam smiles. “Many mushrooms are great for eating. But first, you must know which ones you can eat. Do not eat one if you are unsure.”

Moonbeam continues, “Mushrooms are part of the balance of the Watercolor Woods. Some are for breaking down the dead trees, turning them into soil. Others help trees by connecting their roots underground, sharing nutrients. They are beneficial to the Watercolor Woods.

Mia adds, “So, they are underground helpers.”

Moonbeam nods, “Exactly! There is a whole network of roots and fungi underground. They work together to keep the woodlands healthy.”

Pip smiles, “A secret world of hidden woodland caretakers!”

Moonbeam giggles, “Yes. But, we must be careful when it comes to mushrooms. While many are safe to eat, others are to keep the balance in the woodlands.”

“We should explore carefully! Not everything in the woods is as it seems,” Mia cautions.

While observing the mushrooms, Pip’s ears perk up, “Is there an easy way to tell the safe ones apart?”

Moonbeam thinks on Pip’s question, “Well, if you are not sure, it is best to leave them alone. There are enough other good things to eat in the woods.”

“Let’s keep exploring! Moonbeam, would you like to join us?” Pip calls back and takes off down the riverbank.

“Sure! I can show you different types of mushrooms,”. Moonbeam waddles along behind Pip and Mia.

“And, we can tell stories from our explorations,” Mia adds.

As the sun begins to set, the trio decides it is time to return home. Mia and Pip love learning about mushrooms and are sad to see Moonbeam leave for home.