Chapter 123

By the time Terry, Jackson, and Oliver returned, the chubby, white bugs the children had collected filled four large tree leaves - enough to fry up a full plate. Terry and his group also reaped quite a bounty; besides a large bag of chestnut pine cones, Oliver had taken off his outer coat to wrap up a large bundle of edible mushrooms. Tony kindly stepped forward to advise them, "Wild mushrooms come in many types, and many are poisonous. Maybe you shouldn't eat these." Jackson slapped him on the shoulder, "Don't worry about it, Tony. I was born and raised in the mountains; I know which wild mushrooms are safe to eat." Terry also chimed in, "Don't worry, Tony. I'll definitely cook the mushrooms thoroughly. Would you like some soup later?" "No need for the fuss." Tony's grim expression was hidden behind his thick beard. Before long, Jordan and Frederick were back, carrying not just three five-liter water bottles filled to the brim but also several palm-sized fish. Just as Tony was about t