Woodchuck Hard Cider
- Eric Buechel
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago

A Funny Story About a Woodchuck
By Eric Buechel
Once upon a time in a lush green forest, where the trees towered high and the underbrush was alive with vibrant colors, there lived a remarkable woodchuck named Chuck. Chuck was not your ordinary woodchuck; he possessed an extraordinary talent for digging that set him apart from his fellow woodland creatures. While most woodchucks were perfectly content to burrow in the ground simply for food and shelter, Chuck harbored grand dreams of becoming a master architect, envisioning elaborate structures that would redefine the very concept of a burrow in the forest. His imagination was as boundless as the sky above, filled with ideas that danced like sunlight through the leaves. One sunny day, with the warm rays of the sun filtering through the canopy, Chuck decided it was time to put his exceptional digging skills to the test. He gathered all his friends—Rita the rabbit, known for her quick wit and boundless energy; Benny the badger, who was wise and always had a story to tell; and Sally the squirrel, who was as agile as she was curious—and announced with great enthusiasm, “I’m going to build the biggest, most magnificent burrow the forest has ever seen!” His friends exchanged skeptical glances, their eyes wide with a mixture of doubt and excitement. “What’s so special about your burrow?” asked Rita, her nose twitching with curiosity. Chuck grinned, his eyes sparkling with ambition, and replied, “It will have multiple levels, a swimming pool, and even a pub!” The following morning, fueled by determination and the support of his friends, Chuck got to work. He dug and dug, creating tunnels that twisted and turned like a rollercoaster, each curve more intricate than the last. He even managed to carve out a small pond, its clear water glistening in the sunlight, perfect for swimming and splashing about. As the days passed, the other animals of the forest watched in awe as Chuck’s burrow took shape, marveling at the architectural wonder being crafted right before their eyes. However, amidst all the excitement and creativity, Chuck had one small but significant problem: he had completely forgotten about the most important element of construction—building permits! One day, while he was busy decorating his newly constructed pub with acorn decorations and colorful leaves, the forest inspector, a wise old owl named Oliver, swooped down from his perch high in the trees. “What’s going on here, Chuck?” Oliver hooted, inspecting the elaborate burrow with keen eyes. “This is quite the construction you have, but you didn’t file for any permits!” Chuck, trying to be clever and lighthearted, replied, “But Oliver, I’m just a woodchuck! I thought woodchucks could chuck wood and build burrows without permits!” Oliver chuckled softly, his feathers ruffling in amusement. “Well, you can chuck wood, but you still need to follow the rules! How about this: if you can entertain me with a joke, I’ll let you keep your burrow!” Thinking quickly and feeling the pressure of the moment, Chuck said, “Why did the woodchuck cross the road?” Oliver raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the punchline he was about to hear. “I don’t know, why?” he asked, leaning in with curiosity. “To dig the other side!” Chuck exclaimed, bursting into laughter at his own joke. The sound was infectious, and soon Oliver couldn’t help but laugh too, his wise demeanor softened by the humor. “Alright, Chuck, you’ve made me chuckle. Just make sure to file your permits next time!” With that, Chuck breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the owl's understanding. From that day on, Chuck became known not only as the best digger in the forest but also as the funniest woodchuck around. He embraced his newfound reputation with joy and began to host weekly comedy nights in his burrow, where all the forest animals gathered to share jokes, stories, and enjoy snacks from his famous pub. Chuck even crafted the best-tasting hard cider anyone had ever tasted, a delightful drink that became the highlight of every gathering. Laughter echoed through the forest as animals of all shapes and sizes came together, united by the joy that Chuck’s burrow brought to their lives. And so, Chuck learned an invaluable lesson: while it’s great to dream big and pursue one's passions, sometimes a little laughter—and a few permits—go a long way in ensuring that dreams can flourish in harmony with the rules of the forest. His burrow became a symbol of creativity, community, and the importance of blending fun with responsibility, reminding everyone that a good laugh is just as vital as a solid foundation.
Eric Buechel Fine Art
P. O. Box 277
Pleasant Hill, Tennessee 38578
931-881-7806
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