The Littlest Voyageur
Longing to fulfill his dream of becoming a voyageur, Jean Pierre Petite Le Rouge stows away in one of the canoes traveling from Montreal to a faraway trading post. He’s so excited, he can’t stay hidden long and soon finds himself perched on the bow of the canoe, whiskers to the wind, singing his heart out. The voyageurs are not amused to find a pesky red squirrel among their crew. He rides, but does not paddle! He eats, but does not cook! On the portages, he doesn’t carry anything—sometimes it is he who is carried! And he’s a terrible singer. What kind of voyageur is that? Fortunately, his kind crewmate Jean Gentille takes pity on him and lets “Le Rouge” ride in his vest pocket. But when they finally arrive at the trading post, Jean Pierre Petite Le Rouge is in for a terrible shock—the voyageurs have traveled 1,200 miles to collect what? Furs! Skins! The pelts of his fellow fur-bearers! Heartsick, he believes he will have to give up his dream of becoming a voyageur. Unless, of course, he can find a way to change their minds.
