The flooding of the Flowing River territory

## Participants

### Key characters

Jagged Rock, Deep Ravine, Bracken Song, Windswept Branches, Growing Acorn, Broken Sunlight

### Groups involved

Colony of the Flowing River

**The flooding of the Flowing River territory** refers to the event in which the Colony of the Flowing River's camp was flooded, rendering living there unsafe. This in turn forced them to leave the territory in search for a more suitable home.

## Overview

The rabbits of the Flowing River territory lived at the foot of a mountain, next to a wild river. Due to the camp being high on a riverbank, they didn't worry about possible floods. However, after an unusual amount of rain, the river begins to flood, destroying the rabbits' camp and killing Growing Acorn as he tried to escape with his burrowmates.

## Description

### Calm before the storm

The rabbits are going about their day, when Windswept Branches remarks that there is an odd feeling in the air. Jagged Rock interprets this as a sign that rain is coming.

### Heavy rainfall

When the storm starts, the rainfall is initially slow, however it quickly escalates. The rabbits decide to go into their warren to escape the worst of the downpour.

### The river rises

However, Jagged Rock becomes concerned when he picks up the sound of the river, which is audibly choppy. He remarks that they have never been able to hear it from their burrows before, prompting him and Deep Ravine to go outside to check. They are horrified to discover that the river is rising - and fast. Hearing the commotion, Bracken Song and Windswept Branches join the two outside and also witness the rising water. Jagged Rock makes the decision to get to high ground, but not before everyone has been evacuated from the warren. During this process, Growing Acorn becomes distressed and it is hard for the rabbits to reason with him. Broken Sunlight, Growing Acorn's mother, insists that she stay with her kit, but Jagged Rock tells her that they'll keep him safe. Jagged Rock, Deep Ravine, Bracken Song and Windswept Branches all make sure that everyone else is safe, but the floodwaters are fast approaching. Jagged Rock tells everyone to run, but Deep Ravine pursues Growing Acorn, who is panicking. The kit ends up running straight into the water. Deep Ravine attempts to save him, but Growing Acorn is swept away out of sight. Grief-stricken, Deep Ravine stands still for a moment, before the others call for him to get out of the water.

### The aftermath

Once everyone is up on high ground, Broken Sunlight asks where her kit is, only to be informed that they lost him to the river. She wails and mourns her lost child. A wave of sadness washes over the rabbits. Jagged Rock, although saddened, realises that their home has been destroyed and is no longer safe for them. He eventually concludes that they must set out to find a new home.

## Characters

### Jagged Rock

Jagged Rock was the leader of the Colony. He was responsible for all the decision-making, as well as ensuring the safety of his burrowmates. Although he was unprepared for the flood, he helped all of the rabbits to safety.

### Growing Acorn

Growing Acorn was a kit, whose mother was Broken Sunlight. He was very young and overwhelmed easily. When the flood struck, he panicked, and got too close to the water as a result. Despite Deep Ravine's efforts, he ended up succumbing to the river water.

### Deep Ravine

Deep Ravine was a well-respected member of the Colony, often acting as Jagged Rock's second-in-command. He used his strength to his advantage. When Growing Acorn strayed too close to the water, Deep Ravine was the first to wade in and attempt to rescue him, but failed. Despite the event being tragic for everyone, Deep Ravine used it to ensure that no rabbit ever fell victim to a river again.

### Windswept Branches

Windswept Branches was a member of the Colony. She was very perceptive, and often noticed changes in the air that suggest the coming of a storm. On this occasion, she recognised the approaching rainfall, but could not predict the severity. She helped her burrowmates to safety.

### Broken Sunlight

Broken Sunlight was a member of the Colony, and was Growing Acorn's mother. She was very protective of him due to his skittish nature and age. When Growing Acorn became distraught, she refused to go to higher ground until she knew he was safe, but Jagged Rock insisted that they would handle it. Upon being informed of her son's death, Broken Sunlight grieved, and continued to do so until her eventual death in the months that followed.

### Bracken Song

Bracken Song was a member of the Colony. She ensured that her burrowmates got to safety during the flood.