The Adventures of Thelma THistle and Her Friends: Discovering Our Seasons, and Why Leaves Change Colors

Chapter 1

The Days Are Getting Shorter

By the time Cory returned from his walk-about, the autumn leaves were on fire. He fluttered up to his telephone pole thinking the mellow autumn weather was a perfect time for a nap. As he started to settle in, he heard Thelma and Adam arguing.

"Is, too!"

"Is not!"

"Is, too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too," insisted Adam.

"Is not!"

Thelma countered loudly.

With his usual flutter-bump landing, Cory flew down from his perch to investigate. "My dear Thelma. What is all the arguing about?" inquired Cory.

Thelma turned to Adam with a pouty face and said, "Here's Cory. He will know. Cory, Adam said the days are getting shorter," whined Thelma.

"He's right, my dear," Cory offered, hoping to end the argument peacefully. "The days always start getting shorter in the autumn.”

"In the what?" asked Thelma insistently.

"In the autumn, my dear," Cory replied in a soothing voice. "Some people call that time of year the fall. You know, my dears, that our earth is shaped like a ball.""Yes," Adam agreed shaking his little gray head up and down.

"Thelma?" Cory prodded Thelma for her reply.

"I guess so," replied Thelma, not wanting to give in.

"The earth has a top and a bottom. The top is called the north pole," instructed Cory. "You mean like where Santa Claus lives?" interrupted Adam with a joyful squeal.

"Well, something like that," offered Corry. "As I was saying, that is the north pole, and it has a negative charge."

"Like a magnet," shouted Beetle flying in from playing tag with his friends.

"Exactly, like a magnet. Well done, Beetle," Cory praised the little insect then continued. "If the north pole has a negative charge, then that means the south pole has a…," Cory paused to see who would have an answer.

"POSITIVE!" shouted Adam, grinning from ear to ear.

"A gold star for you, Adam," Cory smiled.

"So, what makes the days shorter in the fall?" asked an impatient Thelma.

Just then, Bunny joined the group and nestled up to Thelma.

"Well," Cory said as he picked up a stick from the ditch and drew a circle in the sand, "Let's say this is the sun, and this…" he paused to draw a smaller circle with a line through the middle. "This is the earth. The line represents the earth's axis," continued Cory.

"Huh?" asked Adam Mouse.

"Of course, there is not really a line through the earth like this, we are just pretending to make a point," clarified Cory.

"Oh," mumbled Adam.

"Think of the line through the earth," continued Cory.

"The axis!" bellowed Beetle.

"Perfect, Beetle," Cory praised Beetle again. "Well the axis always points in the same direction, that's what causes our seasons."

"That still doesn't explain why the days are getting shorter," Thelma huffed.

 "I'm getting there, my dear," said Cory. "This is a tricky part. As the earth orbits the sun, it also spins…"

"He means the earth spins on its axis as it orbits," it was Rudy Raccoon, who was just joining the discussion. The friends all giggled and gave Rudy a high five as he made his entrance.

"Quite correct, Rudy," said Cory as he greeted his pal. "Let's see if we can demonstrate," suggested Cory. "Thelma, you be the sun, and we can pretend you are glowing bright, like the sun. Bunny, can you be the earth?” asked Cory.

"I will try," whispered timid Bunny. "What do I have to do?"

"Hold this stick close to your chest and up against your nose. This represents the earth's axis that always points in the same direction. Try to keep the stick in the same place," prompted Cory. "Let's pretend your nose is where we live on earth. Rudy, can you help Bunny spin and orbit Thelma? ""Sure thing," offered Rudy."Remember, Bunny, your stick must always be on your nose. Are we all ready?" asked Cory.

"I'm ready, I think," said an unsure Bunny.

"Ready," said Adam.

"Ten-four, good buddy," chirped Beetle.

"Okay. Rudy, will you draw an elongated circle around Thelma to represent the elongated orbit?” 

Rudy paced off three steps in front of Thelma. Then he started at Thelma's back and paced off six steps, then drew the elliptical circle around Thelma, and Thelma thought hard pretending that she was glowing.

"Hey," cried Beetle, "the circle around Thelma is bigger in back!"

"Exactly. Gold star for Beetle," praised Cory. Scientists call that shape an elliptical circle. That is the orbit earth travels around the sun."

Next, Rudy gently held Bunny by her shoulders and started turning her around, demonstrating the spinning of the earth. At the same time, he helped Bunny walk around the circle. Spin, and walk. Spin, and walk, all around the circle.When Rudy and Bunny reached the longest part of the elliptical circle, and her back was to Thelma, Cory shouted, "Stop. Beetle, where is Bunny's nose? Remember, we said her nose represents where we live.”

Beetle thought for a moment and examined where Bunny was in relation to Thelma. He didn't want to make a mistake. Once he had a clear picture in his mind, Beetle reported, "I cannot see Bunny's nose."

"Correct," said Cory. "Think deeper, now. If Rudy tilts Bunny away from Thelma, and the sun shines more on Bunny's feet, how much sun is her nose getting? This is tricky."

"Um-m-m," thought Beetle then said with conviction, "Bunny would be colder except for her feet!"

"Excellent. Her feet, or the southern hemisphere of the earth, is getting the most sun. We live in the northern hemisphere, so like Bunny's nose, we would not get as much sunlight and would be in winter. Also, the sun's rays would not be as strong. Even if Bunny revolves, like the earth, her nose still will not get as much sun."

"Rudy, can you move Bunny, to the opposite position now?" Asked Cory.

 "Yes, indeedy,” replied Rudy, and tilted Bunny so that her stick was pointing in the same direction, but because she rotated, her nose was now facing Thelma."Adam," Cory addressed the little mouse. "According to Bunny's position, can you see her nose?"

"Yes! And her nose is getting lots of sunlight for a longer time," shouted Adam, pleased with himself. 

"Correct," said Cory with a wink. "Okay, Rudy, move Bunny to the autumn position."

Carefully, Rudy turned Bunny and moved her to the next position, and Cory explained. "Notice that Bunny's nose and her feet are facing Thelma and getting lots of sun. Okay, Rudy, move Bunny to the summer position.”

Rudy moved Bunny back to the winter position, then around to the summer position.

"Where is Bunny's nose?” Cory asked.

"Close to the sun and facing it, just like in the autumn position, but on the other side, " replied Beetle.

"Very good, Beetle. This is the summer position, and we have more sunlight to play.”

"Very good, crew," praised Cory. "Now let's analyze our information. If the earth is far away from the sun, and the axis is tilting away from the sun, what will happen to our weather and the days light?" asked Cory.

After the friends mumbled and discussed this among themselves, Adam chimed in for the group, "Colder."

"Right. So, what time of year would that be?" asked Cory.

This time, it was Beetle's turn. "Winter."

"Correct," answered Cory. "Will the light from the sun be brighter or not so bright?"

"Not so bright, I think," replied Bunny.

"So, as the earth moves farther away from the sun, we have winter when the sunlight is not as bright and the temperature is colder," noted Cory. "When the earth moves closer to the sun, we have spring and summer. We have hotter temperatures, and the days are brighter for a longer period.” "Check," replied Adam.

"Think a little deeper again," encouraged Cory. "If the amount of sunlight gets less and less on Bunny's nose because of her tilt away from the sun, then, Thelma, does that mean the days are getting shorter?" asked Cory.

"Yes,” purred Thelma in a subdued manner. "I apologize, Adam."

"Apology accepted," said Adam and ran over to give Thelma a high five.

At this point, Rudy interjected, "There are other ways to see how the seasons change.""There are, indeed," replied Cory. "Take it away, Rudy."

"Yes, sir. I'll be glad to," said Rudy. "In the spring and again in the autumn, like now, the sun rises due east. That means in the middle of the eastern sky. Then, the sun sets due west. In the summer, the sun rises and sets in the southern-most part of the sky, making long days to play outside. In the winter, the sun rises and sets in the northern-most part of the sky. It gets dark earlier, and we have to go inside."

"Thank you, Rudy. This is true, and fun to watch. It is easiest to see this when the sun sets. When we are out playing, remember to watch how the sun travels from the north to the south and then back again.”

After remembering her long winter sleep, Bunny shared with her friends, "Mother says when the days get shorter, and the temperature gets colder, I must hibernate and sleep all winter. Then, in the spring, we all wake up and come out to play. It is a strange thing. When we come out to play, I have more brothers and sisters than I did in the autumn."

 Cory chuckled and explained, "Mothers know their new babies will be safe hibernating in the burrow."

"Aw," said Bunny, "aren't mothers smart."

Chapter 2

What Makes Leave Turn Colors?

"I have a question," said Bunny. "What makes the trees turn colors in the fall?"

"Very good observation, my sweet sparrow," praised Cory. "The tilting of the earth, thus shorter daylight hours, and cooler temperatures, not only affect our seasons but also affects the leaves on the trees. Well, some leaves."

 "You mean it does not affect ALL leaves?" asked Thelma, still a bit confused.

"That's correct, my dear," replied a patient Cory. "You see, all plants contain a green substance that helps plants absorb light and make their own food." "He means chlorophyll," Rudy said with a wink.

 "Thank you, Rudy," Cory said then continued. "Chlorophyll reflects the green light around us, so we see green. With the onset of fall and shorter daylight hours, the chlorophyll breaks down, and we see the natural color of the leaves."

"You mean leaves are not really green?" asked Bunny.

"No, my dove," replied Cory. "Leaves can be yellow, and depending on the bits of chlorophyll left, they can be orange or shades of red and brown."

"But what makes the leaves fall off," asked a now interested Thelma.

 "Very good question, my dear," Cory praised Thelma. "After the chlorophyll breaks down, something else happens. Special cells grow in the stems, and the leaf stems become weak. That's why we see the wind blowing leaves from the trees. The trees that lose all their leaves, we call…"

"Deciduous," interrupted Rudy Raccoon.

 "Right-o, Rudy," Cory grinned. "But some never lose all their leaves. These trees, we call…"

 "Evergreen," Rudy answered.

 "You mean like Christmas trees," Adam squealed again remembering Santa Claus. "Exactly," Cory praised Adam.

"I love looking at trees and all their different leaves. There are so many," purred Bunny.

"Indeed," replied Cory. "Would you like to make a list of trees and their leaves?"

"Very well. Each of you who can go about and gather leaves, then bring them back to Thelma," instructed Cory. "Ready? Set? Go!" As the friends scampered off to find leaves, Cory turned to Thelma and whispered, "Excuse me, Thelma dear. I have an errand I must run.I will be back in a jiffy."

Since Thelma was unable to move, she was home base, and the friends brought their leaves to her, and in the country where they lived, there were plenty of leaves to find. Soon Thelma had a pile of fall leaves piled around her.

When Cory returned from running his errand, Adam was dragging his last leaf over to Thelma.  "Okay, gang," announced Cory. "Let's see what you busy friends found. Adam, what did you find?"

"I found a red leaf and an orange leaf with green edges."

"Can you identify the leaves, Adam?" asked Cory.

"The brown leaf is from a white oak tree. I know that because oak trees have acorns, and I love to eat acorns, yum, yum. The orange leaf with green edges is a sycamore. I know that, too, because when the seeds from the sycamore tree burst open, they have fluffy insides that are great for my nest."

"Very good, Adam, you are a good leaf identifier," praised Cory. "Now, think a little deeper. How many leaves are on a stem?"

"Oh, that's easy," chirped Adam. “Each stem has only one leaf, but there are many stems on each twig."

"Excellent," said Cory and gave Adam a prize. "Thanks, Cory," exclaimed Adam. "What is it?"

"It's a wonderful treasure I found on my walkabout," replied a proud Cory. “You can hang it on your tail."

"Wow," whispered Adam in awe of the treasure and his friend. Next, Cory turned to Beetle. "Beetle, what did you find?"

 I found two leaves that look almost the same. This one is from the ash tree," Beetle pointed his antenna to the rounder leaf. This longer leaf is from the beech tree.

"Well done, Beetle,” said Cory. "Do you know how these two leaves are different?"

"You betcha," said Beetle very proud of himself. "The ash leaves have more pointed edges. "Perfect," beamed Cory. "Now, can you think a little deeper and tell me how many leaves are on a stem?"

Beetle thought a moment, trying to visualize the leaves on the tree. "I think there are," Beetle paused to think. "I think there are lots of leaves on one stem. "

“Excellent, Beetle. We call those leaves "compound leaves" because they have more than one leaf on a stem. I have a treasure for you.”

"Thanks, pal," Beetle exclaimed. "Hey, Adam, look! I have a treasure, too."  "Let's see what other leaves you have found," said Cory. "Rudy, what is your find?"

"I have one great leaf, but it has extra value!" reported Rudy.

"Tell us more," prodded Cory.

"This is a leaf from the sweet gum tree. I like the way it is shaped," shared Rudy, then continued. "In the summer, the sweet gum tree provides lots of shade, and in the fall, the leaves are spectacular reds and browns. But the added value is…" Rudy paused for dramatic effect. "The sweetgum balls!”  "What are sweet gum balls?" asked Beetle.

"They are the seed pods from the sweet gum tree," replied Rudy.

"Do you chew them like chewing gum?" asked Thelma.

"No," replied Rudy. "But they make beautiful Christmas decorations. See, here are two my baby brother and I made last year."

"Aw," said Bunny, "they are so beautiful. How do you make them?"

"It's very easy," said Rudy. "Every little hole is where the tiny seeds lived. When they dropped out, they left this hole. You can push a round toothpick into the hole until you feel a little click. Then spray them all over with your favorite color and sprinkle them with glitter. Mom hung mine on the tree outside our nest."

But Cory interrupted, "Good job, Rudy. If we collect enough sweet gum balls, we can each make one," Cory promised. "But first, who hasn't shared their leaves?"

"ME!" exclaimed Chippy Bat.  

"Well, let's see what you found, Chippy," invited Cory.

"I have one of my favorites," said an excited Chippy. "I have a banana leaf!" All the friends laughed. They did not laugh AT Chippy, but they laughed at Chippy's excitement. There's a big difference.

"That is most interesting, Chippy. We don't see many banana trees in our ditch. Where did you find it?" asked Cory.

"At the grocery plant nursery in town," replied Chippy. "But when I am flying to find food, I can find bananas if I fly far enough south."

"Good work, Chippy. Do you know how a banana leaf is different from the other leaves we found?" asked Cory.

"Um-m-m," thought Chippy. "I know! Where bananas grow best, they are green all year."

"Good answer, Chippy!" praised Rudy.

"Do you know what we call trees that stay green all year?" asked Cory.

"Every green!" cheered Chippy.

"He means evergreen," giggled Beetle.

“Perfect," Cory praised the little bat. "Does anyone remember what we call leaves that change color in the fall?” Prodded Cory.

Bunny waved her hand in the air and stood on her tiptoes. "I know. I know. De.. de.. deciduous!"

"Perfect, my little sparrow," praised Cory.

"Can we make a picture from all the leaves we collected?" asked Adam.

"I think that would be a splendid idea," said Cory.

So, the little friends gathered all their leaves. Acorns, fluffy seed pods, and sweet gum balls and made this picture for YOU.

Happy Autumn