Caterpillar Ride

It took the greater part of the day to get to Hilda's Inn, and that was with the caterpillar taking short cuts going up and down trees. I can only imagine how long it would have taken if Olivia and I decided to walk the whole way. We slid off the caterpillar. We thanked him thoroughly and paid him handsomly. It was then that I realized that the opening in the willow tree was some distance up. I had forgotten that there was at least a foot between the base of the tree and the opening. It's nothing when you are normal size, but quite a Journey otherwise. "Hey, can you do one more thing for us?" I ask the caterpillar. "Afraid I can't." The caterpillar starts to scoot away. "Come on, we just need to get in there." "Sorry, I'm already miles away." "Please." I beg. "Forget him." Olivia says. I sigh. I look up at the tree.  "I guess we can climb this thing."