The Village Beneath The Great Tree #6

"It had been a good 10 to 20 minutes of climbing and balancing precariously on the branches of the great tree." "Cecil would be navigating tirelessly, trying to find the quickest way upward whilst Emmett trailed nervously behind, clutching his lucky lantern for dear life whilst continuously muttering what a bad idea this all was." "After a while, they met the first of many of the great tree's inhabitants." "This fellow looked most bizarre:" "A small, round head." "Stubby arms and legs" "Two white dots for eyes." "A simple curve for a smiling mouth." "And three buttons on his chest." "Finally, the figure gave the two brothers it's name: Gunther, The Gingerbread Man." "He welcomed Cecil and Emmett, but he also couldn't help but notice that they didn't seem to have anything attached to them that could help them dangle from the branches." "The two climbers explained the likes of Little Pinesworth to Gunther, about the people, the railway and the fact that a piece of the great tree's star had fallen down into the town square." "They explained to him that they needed to find as many of the tree's dwellers as they could to help put the star back together." "Gunther agreed, so long as the two could help unhook him from the branch that he was currently hanging on." "The duo nodded eagerly and with all their strength and craftiness began to help Gunther off the branch..." "It took a lot of effort, but soon the gingerbread man was set free. With a firm shaking of hands, Gunther thanked them both and promised to spread the word and find his friends, who will help bring the star back up to the top of the tree." "After agreeing to meet back there, Cecil and Emmett set off, continuing their way up the tree, branch by branch."