As he neared his destination he could hear a multitude of voices chattering away incoherently. The scent of the cake now mingled with a variety of new fragrances such as a sweet smelling tobacco from someone smoking a pipe. Archer recognized the odor because his grandfather used to smoke his pipe from time to time. It was much more pleasant than the stink of his mother's cigarettes.

Archer was only a few paces away from all of the commotion so he instinctively crouched down and started crawling on the ground so as not to startle anyone. He slowly parted the grass and couldn't believe what he was staring at. He was witnessing an animal dinner party. It was straight from his grandmother's painting! He shook his head and rubbed at his eyes. He even considered pinching himself. He decided he would continue to hide and observe the guests of this party before making himself known.

"Now, now, Professor Squeakers...how can you possibly think that I would believe a flawed theory such as that one?" A beaver wearing a waistcoat and top hat was asking a gray rabbit who happened to be wearing rounded spectacles, a red bow tie and white lab-coat.

"Flawed? I'm sorry Sir Buzzsaw but my theories are never flawed!" Professor Squeakers exclaimed defensively.

"So what you are saying is that those nasty city pigeons have a longer life span than myself? Absolute rubbish!" Sir Buzzsaw guffawed as his large teeth chattered together causing the other guests to laugh with delight.

"Pigeon mitochondria leak fewer free radicals than our mitochondria causing them to live longer! They have a thirty-five year maximum life span! Do you know what this means? If I did a little more research...oh pooh...forget it...I don't know why I ever bring my scientific knowledge to the table anymore." Professor Squeakers sighed as he stuffed a piece of chocolate cake into his mouth.

"Pigeons...flying vermin. I heard that they are cannibals. What do you think, Victoria?" A small white field mouse in a pink frilly dress whispered to her companion. Her friend was an orange tabby cat wearing a red satin dress with a large bow in the back.

"Don't believe everything you hear, Little Sally. It's just like those stories about cats eating mice! Ridiculous!" Victoria laughed nervously as her mouth watered a little bit at her own statement.

Little Sally joined in on the laughter and then trembled a little when she noticed that her friend was salivating.

"It's similar to those preposterous tales that humans exist!" An otter sporting a vest and toupee proclaimed wildly.

"Indeed Mr. Wetfoot! Complete balderdash!" Sir Buzzsaw slammed his paw on the table causing his tea to spill. He then looked over at a large skunk in military attire that hadn't said a word all throughout their meal.

"What about you General Stinko? What do you think about humans? Have you seen them throughout all your travels?" Sir Buzzsaw inquired politely.

Everyone treaded very carefully around General Stinko so not to set him off. You can just imagine what happens when one upsets or startles a skunk. Some of you may already have experience with such matters. Let's just say no one has ever thrown General Stinko a surprise birthday party. He himself was very aware of his reputation so he tried to control himself as much as possible. He would meditate and practice yoga at least three times a week. Right now, at this very moment, General Stinko was finding it quite difficult not to panic. He took a deep breath and looked around at his colleagues. They were all staring at him with quiet anticipation.

"During all my travels...I have not stumbled upon this mythical creature known as the human. I have never believed in such hogwash..." He began. "But at this time I find that I must renounce my disbelief...because of the fact that one is right there...crouching in the grass and watching us." He finished as he pointed right at Archer.

Each animal turned and stared at Archer with wonderment as each of their jaws dropped in turn. A large squirrel playing a kind of ocarina he had whittled from an acorn, sustained the same note as the dinner party continued their perpetual gaze.