Sniklefritz and the Nature Trail - Proof #4

Sniklefritz
& the Nature Trail
Beth McCluney




Sniklefritz
& The Nature Trail
Beth McCluney


First published in 2015 Copyright ©2018 Beth McCluney. All rights reserved.
The contents of this book may not be used or copied either in whole or in part without the full express written permission of the author.
Book design by simplySHE design. Copyright ©2018. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1499121308


Dedicated to God, our Creator.
In loving memory of Gram and her turtles,
with special thanks to my oldest son and daughter-in-law.




This is the nature trail.


This is the trail guide.
He likes to teach others about nature.
This is Sniklefritz.
She likes to learn new things.


Sniklefritz joins the trail guide, the hiker, Annie and Emmett for a hike on the trail. Sniklefritz is happy to meet new friends.


The trail guide shows the hiker and
Sniklefritz the large cedar tree.
He explains, “This tree used to be small, but sunshine and water have helped it to grow very tall.”


“Here are some mushrooms,” says the trail guide. “These are not edible, which means that we should not eat them.”


“Are there any edible mushrooms?” asks Sniklefritz.
The trail guide points to another mushroom and answers, “Yes, this is a Morel mushroom. It can be cleaned, cooked and then eaten. Morels are usually only found in the woods during spring while the soil is damp and cool.”
Sniklefritz has never tasted a Morel mushroom before and thinks, “Maybe I will someday.”


“If you are quiet and still, you may see a butterfly,” the trail guide whispers.
“Oh, yes! I see a pretty butterfly!” Sniklefritz says.


The trail guide explains, “Many animals are afraid of us, so we must be quiet, still and patient if we want to see any.”
“What does it mean to be patient?” asks Sniklefritz. The trail guide replies, “Patience means to wait.”


“Oh,” says Sniklefritz, “if I wait for the rabbit to hop away, is that being patient?”
“Yes,” the trail guide answers. “You are learning to be patient.”




The trail guide picks up a feather he finds on the ground. “What kind of feather is it?” asks Sniklefritz.


“It is a turkey feather,” answers the trail guide quietly. “I see a turkey over by those trees.”




As they continue walking, the trail guide notices a poison ivy plant next to the trail. He warns Sniklefritz and the hiker not to touch the plant.


“Some people are allergic to poison ivy, and they may get an itchy rash from touching it,” he explains. “If you see a plant with three leaves on the stem, don’t touch it!” warns the trail guide.


Next, the trail guide shows the hiker and Sniklefritz a log that has fallen. He makes sure that a rope is tied securely between the trees to hold on to as they walk across the log.
Sniklefritz decides to wait until she is taller to walk across the log and says, “Maybe I will someday.”




Nearby, Annie and Emmett have found a stick and are playing with it together.
Sniklefritz loves watching the dogs play!


After playing, Emmett decides it is time to rest.


The trail guide says they should rest also and drink some water. “It is important to drink water while you are
outside, especially if it is a hot day. Your body needs water, just like the plants and animals do.”
Sniklefritz and the hiker stop to rest and drink water, too.


While resting, the trail guide notices a track in the dirt and whispers, “This is a deer track. There may be deer close by. If we are patient, we may see them.”


After a while, Sniklefritz sees something moving and whispers to the trail guide, “I can see two brown animals with long legs through the trees.”


The trail guide looks and whispers back, “Good job Sniklefritz, you have found the deer!”


After the deer ran away, the hiker gets her binoculars and begins looking for birds. Sniklefritz and the trail guide look through their binoculars too. The trail guide points up and says,
“I can see geese flying high in the air, can you?”


“Yes!” exclaims Sniklefritz, “I can see the geese. I sure wish I could fly!”
“It’s time to go back, but keep watching for any other plants or animals,” says the trail guide.






The hiker notices movement in the grass and finds a turtle. “Here is a turtle slowing walking through the grass,” she says.


“Turtles hide inside their shells when they are afraid. Their shells protect them from other animals or any danger,” the trail guide explains. “Turtles are very patient because they wait until it is safe to come out of their shells.”
“Yes, turtles are patient,” agrees the hiker.
“When I was younger, I had a turtle as a pet.”
Sniklefritz thinks it would be fun to have a turtle as a pet. “Maybe I will someday.”


At the end of the trail, the trail guide points to some yellow flowers.
“These flowers grow wild and they add bright yellow color to the green grass.”




Look!” Sniklefritz says. “I see different yellow flowers. Will we see more flowers or animals?”
The trail guide replies, “We are finished with our hike now, but nature can be seen all around us everyday. You can always come back for another hike on the trail.”


Sniklefritz thinks that is a great idea. “Maybe I will someday.”


This is the third adventure for Sniklefritz. In this adventure, she meets the trail guide and the hiker. Snicklefritz learns a little about nature and a lot about patience.
Outside back cover