This book is the sequel to the ‘Over the Bridge’ book. It is Epic’s journey to overcome his problems through meeting various characters, who share wonderful insights from the worlds of ‘self help’ and ‘therapy’. It is an enlightening and inspiring book, especially for those with a sensitive temperament.
Chapters
Milo’s Sign – – – The Reunion – – – The Leap of Faith
Into the Tunnels – – – Flight – – – The Way Out
Positive Vinny – – – Robin’s Climb – – – Looking deep into the pond
Bec’s Insights – – – The Treasure Chest – – – Into the Unconscious
The Expectations Wall – – – New Views – – – The pots, the path and the pond
The River and the Bridge – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Chapter 1
Milo’s sign
As Milo lay there, unable to sleep, he could barely contain his enthusiasm. As his mind raced at the thought of his upcoming trip to see Epic, he replayed his and Daisy’s first meeting with Epic on his ‘Over the Bridge’ journey.
Milo remembered his excitement as they drew closer to the bridge. When he caught sight of Epic, basking in the sunlight, the red of his fur glimmering in the sunlight, he was taken aback by his striking beauty. The squirrel, as if sensing their gazes, turned his eyes upon them.
“Hello, my name is Epic.” He smiled widely, “I’ve been waiting for you two.”
Milo, surprised, replied, “What do you mean?” “Aha! Someone after my own heart – already asking questions!” Epic swivelled his lithe body around to face them, “That’s an excellent question, seeing as how this is called the ‘Meaning bridge’.”
After a staggered pause, Milo composed himself. “Hello, I’m Milo and this is Daisy”.
Epic nodded, “Well, stay and talk a little while. I would love to hear about your travels.”
As they indulged Epic with the details of their journey, Milo sensed something unique and unusual about this bridge. But he couldn’t determine exactly what it was. Over lunch, Daisy told Epic the awful story about her brother and the cat. Epic listened attentively and it was only after she finished that he spoke.
“But your brother survived and wore his triumph as a badge of honour. Although you’re scared of cats, you’ve never met one. Was it so terrible?”
Daisy thought this over for a while, before admitting that in retrospect maybe she had turned it into more of a catastrophe than it really had been. Curious about Epic’s perspective, Milo mentioned the dreadful dog-attack Grandma Tilly had suffered and how she had barely escaped by pretending to be dead. Epic started to laugh, much to Milo’s consternation. The little vole gravely asked Epic why he was laughing.
“Isn’t it funny!” Epic chuckled, “A squirrel playing possum? Did you know that possum means ‘I am able’ or ‘I can’ in Latin? That is ironic: a possum playing dead and not able!”
It had tickled Epic, but was rather lost on Milo and Daisy. The squirrel continued, his eyes twinkling.
“You said that after this incident, Grandma Tilly gained psychic and intuitive powers. Has she not gained great respect from other creatures because of this? Is she not provided for in her old age due to helping others? That seems like a pretty worthwhile life to me!”
Puzzled, Milo and Daisy broached the subject of Daisy’s ordeal in the woods, mentioning Doc and the Valley of Shadows.
“Don’t you think what happened to Daisy was terrible?” Milo asked, his eyes searching Epic’s face.
Epic offered a wry smile, “I realise Daisy felt really awful for a few days, but did that not cause you both to take much needed rest? You met the wonderful, wise old Doc and were uplifted by the group meeting! And then, probably the most important part of all, Daisy faced her greatest fears!”
Epic seemed to have a different perception of every story they told him.
Milo found him fascinating and wanted to know more about his life.
“How did you end up here?”
Epic paused, “Now that is a long story. A story for another day. Tomorrow I’ll tell you.”
When Milo reached this part of his initial conversation with Epic, he dwelled on Epic’s words, “Now that is a long story. A story for another day. Tomorrow I’ll tell you” because Epic never actually told his story the next day and he had been waiting all this time to hear it. He finally fell asleep pondering what he knew would be a fascinating tale.
He woke early and and made his way down to the river to one of his favourite spots to gather his thoughts and say goodbye to his beloved river. Many times in the past in this very spot he had thought about his transformative meeting with Epic and wondered about the possibility of seeing him again. Would he even still be at the ‘Meaning bridge’?
It was only two days before while reminiscing yet again about Epic, that a chiffchaff flew down and landed near to him. The chiffchaff noticed Milo staring at the river and after a short pause remarked, “You look deep in thought.”
Milo turned towards the chiffchaff, “Yes, I’m thinking of an old friend, an unusual, actually a really unique creature.”
“Oh, that’s interesting. I met a very unusual creature yesterday. I swooped down and landed on a bridge instantly to be greeted by, ” You must have a very different view from high above travelling from distant countries. Flying through the sky relying on your intuition to navigate the winds and the magnetic currents of the earth. It must be fascinating. What a great way to develop a new perspective!”
The chiffchaff postulated,” I have never heard a creature talk like that, inquisitively asking questions and giving answers all at the same time. Very unusual!”
Milo, stunned by these comments inquired,” He wasn’t a red squirrel by any chance was he? Yes, he called himself Epic. Do you know him?”
“Yes, I do!, Milo exclaimed. He is the old friend I was thinking about when you landed. What an amazing coincidence!
Wow!, marvelled the chiffchaff. I think I must have landed here for a reason. They talked for a while about Epic’s curious nature and then in an instant the chiffchaff was gone.
As Milo sat alone, he mused that this must a sign. It also definitely answered the question he had been pondering, because he now knew you that if he made the trip, Epic would still be at at the ‘Meaning bridge’.
It was since this conversation a few days ago that he had been feeling a growing excitement and anticipation for the trip he was about to make.
Milo took one last look at the river and it’s delightful surroundings and then set off.