In a small wood directly next to a small clear blue pond, there was a community of small forest animals, including a family of ducks, rabbits, turtles, deer, beaver, and owls. Each animal did its part in the small forest of Jojoba. The animals worked to bring in food and materials for shelter. The small community of Jojoba worked well together and got along, because each member of the small forest community knew everyone. There was no secrecy among them, for they all acted as family. If a Beaver became sick, not only would his own beaver family help him, but Turtle would bring Beaver flower soup. They were all friendly to each other; however, their friendliness towards strangers was non-existent. The small Jojoba community was so small, because they did not welcome strangers who were different from them.
One stormy day, a family of strange animals came into the Jojoba community seeking shelter. As they saw the nice, dry huts of the animals of the Jojoba community, they became excited and relieved that they could finally come out of the storm. The family went to the first large hut they saw and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" asked Rabbit.
"We are a small family needing shelter from the storm. May we stay a little while?" asked the family.
Rabbit opened the door, ready to welcome them in, but as soon as he saw what they looked like, he slammed the door in their faces. "You are not welcome here! Go bother Duck as you have a bill similar to hers."
The family left, confused by the encounter and also a little disappointed. They found Duck's house and knocked.
"Who is it, and what are you doing out in this storm?" asked Duck.
"We are a small family asking for shelter, only until the storm is done. May we please come in?"
Duck opened the door wide to let them come in, but as she looked at them she yelled, "Go away! you are not welcom here! Go to Beaver and bother him, seeing as you have the tale of a beaver!" Duck slammed the door in their sad, wet faces.
The family ran to Beaver's house, desperate to find shelter. As they knocked loudly, the door suddenly swung open, and standing right there was the meanest and biggest beaver they had ever seen. "What do you want? There is no room for you!" Beaver shouted.
"We only need shelter until the storm stops. We are cold, wet, and very tired. May we please stay here, just until the storm lets up?" asked the family.
"Why would we let you stay here? You are a complete stranger, and you look very strange and suspicious to me, like no other animal! What are you?"
The bigger animal of the family spoke up. "I am Platipus, and this is my family. May we stay here or no?"
"NO! Get out of Jojoba! You are never welcome here!" Beaver yelled furiously and slammed the door in their upset faces. They left Jojoba and moved on the next small forest community only a little ways from Jojoba. There the animals welcomed the Platipus family with open hands. They took them to a dry shelter, gave them blankets and towels, and gave them a basket of food. The Platipus family was extremely grateful, and they told the small community of Lemon how Jojoba had treated them so terribly! The animals listened, and then told their families, who told their friends, who told other friends, and so on. Soon the word was spread that Jojoba was a terrible community, and any strangers or travelers who had to pass through, ran without talking to anybody or even making eye contact. If they did, they were rudely kicked out and yelled at.
Many years later, Jojoba became a non-existent town. Because the animals there were so mean to strangers, outsiders, and travelers, no one wanted to settle there. If only the animals of Jojoba were friendlier to the visitors, Jojoba may have grown and never died. The animals cruelty only led to the ghost town, known as Jojoba.
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