Chapter 1

Aviv is sitting on a large branch feeling rather restless.  See, he is the youngest in his family and all his older brothers have already joined the guard at the trunk.  Until he is old enough to join the guard he must stay with all the female Rangs and fill his days by picking the bumpy leaves.

Even though Rangs lack the essential facial muscles to express themselves as easily as other animals they are a particularly perceptive sort of species and can tell when one feels out of sorts.  Especially when the Rangs are related to each other.  So, it comes as no surprise that Sasha noticed her little brothers frustrations.  And had an idea.

"Aviv, did you know they need some new outer rim trimmers?  It pays more berries but whoever does it has to go down to the lowest, farthest, and smallest branches.  My friend said she couldn't handle it anymore because the branches bend and blow in the wind so much.  It's kinda scary work but..."

Aviv excited about a chance to do a little exploring interrupted Sasha, "You mean i'd GET to go to the bottom branches and see everything that goes on under the tree!!"

Sasha laughed at Aviv. "Haha yes, yes.  You can see all the animals under the tree..."  Aviv's mind wondered how many kinds of animals there were under the tree.  He had heard about a few but hadn't ever seen any.  "...a man but it's hard..." Aviv searched his memories for stories of what men looked like but couldn't come up with much. "...Outer rim trimmers have to be small and go through special training to..."  na, probably wouldn't see any men but think of how great it would be to see a ferret or a mole or a rabbit! "...Your small enough but there might not be enough time for you to do..." He decided he had to get this new job at any cost!  But who would he talk to about it?  "...the office is on the 13th V..." Aviv wondered where the office was.

"Aviv, AVIV, HELLO?  Are you listening?!?" Aviv was brought back to reality by his sisters yell.  Sasha noticed her brother was paying attention again and continued. "I said, if you want to make it to the office you better leave soon because they close in 20..." He had already turned and was running and dodging his way through the limbs.  He stopped shortly after and turned around.  His sister called out, "It's on the 131th V of the 5th branch."  Aviv was off again.

Sasha was glad her brother was excited about the new job but hoped he would be very careful.