Life on the peninsula was wonderful. Peace, harmony and joy reigned supreme. Here man had not set foot yet, so all the animals lived without fear. Most of them thought that this was as close to paradise as you could get.

Among the inhabitants was Bradley. He was most impressive, with long soft fur, an incredible tail and the best sense of humor for miles around. Ordinarily Bradley would have been very popular, except there was this one problem.

Every time Bradley received a compliment or felt sad or happy, he would spray the surroundings. The spray was terrible and all the animals would run away and hide from Bradley. You see Bradley was a skunk. In fact, he was the only skunk for miles around.

Poor Bradley, he was so embarrassed and lonely that he decided to do something about his situation. From that day forward, he would never allow himself to feel again. That way he could control the spraying and at least have some friends. It worked for a while but there was still something missing.

Every year at mating season, Bradley would hide. He would tell his friends that he was too smart and independent to get involved with anyone. Often he would make fun of his buddies that had paired off with someone and brag how great it was to be free and single.

One day a wise cricket came by and told the animals "You are very lucky. You live next to the Wishing River. Anyone that wants to have their wish come true, all they have to do is cross the river and their wish will come true on the other side". All the animals looked at each other in amazement.

Could this be true? All we have to do is cross the river? Soon reality began to set in. Some animals complained that they were too small, others that they couldn't swim and then they were those that knew wishes are for kids and they don't come true, among the latter was Bradley.

Some of Bradley's friends were thinking about crossing the river, so they asked Bradley what to do. "Let me save you the trouble", he said. "I will cross the river myself and prove to you that wishes are for fools and certainly don't come true." So off he went on a journey across the river.

All his friends were there to see him off. Full of self-importance and bravado, Bradley dove into the river and began paddling as fast as he could to the delight of all his friends. "Why he'll be back in no time", they all said. Soon there was no on the river bank for they all had things to do.

Boy this is harder than I thought, mused Bradley. I'm getting tired real quick and my tail is getting so heavy. If I don't get some rest real soon, I'm a gonner. Boy, isn't there anyone up there that can help me? (That was really strange because Bradley didn't believe in God or anything like that)

Just then Bradley spotted a rather large branch that had fallen into the river. Oh boy, what a coincidence! If I can only get to that branch I can get up on it and rest for a while. It must be my lucky day. Soon Bradley was resting on the branch that was floating down the river. In fact, he slept the whole night.

The next morning, he woke up lost and hungry. He thought, Boy am I hungry, I wonder is there anyone up there that can help me? Just then he noticed that this was a branch of an apple tree and under the leaves were some apples. just right for eating. Well I'll be darned, There they were in front of me all the time.

After breakfast, Bradley thought If I can just get to the other side. I'll do anything to get some help. I'll even believe that there is a God, just help me. Just then he heard a noise and he looked up and to his surprise he saw the river bank a short distance away. Oh thank you God, I really believe now, just wait until I get home, I'll tell everyone to believe.

Oh God there is just one more thing. when I get to the other side can I have my one true love? You know, my perfect mate that was destined for me for all time? That would really make me happy. So he jumped off the branch and started swimming towards the edge.

When he got to the rivers edge, he decided to wait for his true love right there so God could find him and not get lost with this most important request. So he waited, and waited and waited. Pretty soon Bradley began to get cross and cranky.

Boy was I a jerk. What was I thinking? There is no God, wishes don't come true. Look at me, a great big fool, waiting for someone that will never come, mainly because they don't exist. I'm so angry I could just spit.

Suddenly he realized, he was getting emotional and the urge to spray was too much to control. Oh what the hell, he said If I'm going to be a sprayer I might as well be a good one. So he released the mother of all sprays. As he was doing this, he noticed a pair of eyes watching him from the bushes.

Well, he said. Why don't you run away? Everyone else does. Go on, leave me alone so that I can at least enjoy this by myself. But the pair of eyes had a voice and it said sweetly, "But I enjoy your display and it does have an interesting smell, much like mine. With that the eyes stepped out of the bushes to reveal that it was a female version of Bradley staring back at him.

Bradley was speechless, so she spoke first. My name is Miranda and I have been waiting for you all my life. I have prayed to God every day and you have finally come. Thank you FATHER FOR MY GOOD. Bradley fainted.

P.S. They lived happily ever after