The Frog at the Top of Frosty Mountain

The Nice Pigeon Returns

Allan thought he would never be so glad to see a pigeon, yet here he was, overwhelmed with joy at the sight of his feathery guide. The nice pigeon landed on top of the tree next to the one Allan was perched on and noticed the movement of branches below them.

"What's going on?" The nice pigeon asked.

"Some crocodiles found me." Allan said. "I'll be dead meat in a minute if I don't think of something."

The nice pigeon tapped it's foot on the the branch he was on and flew a few feet up. 

"Jump to that tree!" The pigeon said, pointing it's beak to the tree he had flown from. "It looks strong enough to support you."

Allan calculated his jump, measuring the right amount of force he should he use to launch himself towards the tree. If it was too little, he would fall and die. If it was too much, he would risk breaking the tree, which would cause him to fall down through the branches, cutting himself badly on the way down. If he was lucky, he would die during the fall. If he wasn't, he would lay on the ground in agony until the crocodiles reached him and tore him apart. It wouldn't be a nice death.

"Ok, here I go!" Allan announced.

Allan jumped and grabbed on to the tree. It was stronger than he gave it credit for, but he didn't want to stick around and find out just how long it would hold him.

"Now jump onto that one!" The pigeon said, pointing to another tree.

Allan, now feeling more confident, jumped to the next treetop. He looked behind him and saw one of the crocodiles had reached the top of the tree he had climbed. The crocodile was puzzled at how Allan was getting away so fast, but after thinking for a second, it deduced how. It tried jumping to the nearest tree, but it's awkward limps made it extremely difficult. It made it halfway to the next tree, then fell to it's death down below.

"Keep going!" The pigeon said, pointing towards the next tree.

Allan jumped to it, then the next. He kept on jumping between trees until he couldn't see or hear the crocodiles anymore.

"I think you've lost them." The nice pigeon said. "Crocodiles are good at climbing up trees, but they're terrible at climbing down. That'll give you enough time to pass the city limit line, easy."

"Where did you go?" Allan asked. "I thought you ditched me!"

"It was really dark. It took me a while to find a path out of the forest. And then by the time I found the way back to where I left you, you were gone! But don't worry, I won't leave you again. Not until we reach Frosty Mountain."

Allan looked ahead and saw the snowy peak of the mountain. It was closer than ever now, and with the appearence of a companion and the feeling that the worst was behind him, he felt like he would reach it in no time.