It was midnight in Booga Booga Forest and the place was calm. There was no wind. The trees stood still creating creepy shadows on the ground below. The sky was dark and the moon was bright.

Twitch was in his oak tree preparing to hunt for his dinner. He heard a whistle and knew it was his friend, Moon.

Twitch, the screech owl, has been living in the forest all his life. Like most owls, he sleeps all day and comes out of his tree trunk just as the sun is setting. Every evening, he flies up to his favorite branch and sits in prey for his first meal of the night. 

His stout body, camouflaged in the darkness, hides his long, lanky legs. He looks down with big, piercing eyes for any unsuspecting mice or shrew. When his belly is full, he hoots at Moon with delight. 

For as long as he could remember, Moon was his only friend. They would have long conversations every night. Moon would tell him about the many adventures and misfortunes that took place beneath him in the still of the night. 

Tonight was a little different. Moon looked very worried. Twitch knew something was wrong. "Is everything okay?" asked Twitch. 

With a long sigh, Moon began to tell Twitch what was wrong. "A great storm is coming. The forest animals left when you were sleeping. You need to tell the other owls to seek shelter tonight!". 

Twitch had heard enough stories from Moon to know that he was right. Moon once told Twitch why his shape changes at different times of the month. Tonight he was full and low, so Twitch knew that the ocean tides around Booga Booga must be high.

Twitch did not waste any time. He set out to warn the other owls. He flew from tree to tree, but whenever they saw him coming they all flew away. Twitch was not very friendly. He used to hide his face in his body to avoid speaking with them. 

Sometimes when the other 

owls are hunting, Twitch 

would swoop down behind 

them and steal their food.