Jumping the Stream

Jumping the Stream is an inspirational guide that addresses the challenges and anxiety that sometimes accompany change. Through the telling of a fable-like tale, the author outlines the different possible emotional responses to change.
In the story, a boy brings his cat and his hamster across a stream to his treehouse in the woods, but he is called away and unintentionally leaves them there. When the boy does not immediately return, the cat and hamster set about trying to find their way back. They are small and incapable of crossing the stream as the boy had. In their growing panic, they go through different emotional stages: they feel sorry for themselves; they blame each other for their predicament; and they blame themselves. They meet a variety of animals during their adventure: a vulture, who urges them to stick together; a mildly-threatening snake, who urges them to stay on the woodland side of the stream; a deer, who teaches them to conquer their anxiety; and a wise roach, who teaches them to live in the moment and who, finally, brings them across the stream on a floating log. The story ends with the boy returning for his small friends, who have learned to master their fear.
The book ends with the author's memoir-based, personal reflections about his battle with anxiety, in which the author further identifies each character in the story as representing his varying responses to change and life circumstances.
The author's style is straightforward and conversational. He inserts psychological analyses within the story, indicating that, though it is a story about talking animals, it is not intended for children. Instead, it is a therapeutic tool for adult readers to use while working through their own emotional challenges."
This manuscript has been edited according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, except where idiomatic language has been retained to preserve the colloquial nature of the text. Extensive editing of grammar, spelling, and punctuation was needed.