Tinker stepped on a rusty metal leaf that went *crr-clank*. Up ahead, a loud scratching noise came from a giant zipper on an oak tree. A squirrel was stuck right in the middle! Tinker dropped his walking stick and ran over.
Tinker grabbed the giant zipper pull, but it wouldn't budge. He wove his bright green shoelace through the metal loops for a better grip. With one big yank—*zzzzzzzzip!* The squirrel popped out. Just then, a hollow hoot echoed from the next clearing.
Tinker found an owl trapped inside a hollow branch behind a jammed puzzle door. He quickly spun the heavy wooden blocks until a golden triangle and a red square slid perfectly into their slots. *Pop!* The door swung open, and the owl fluttered out.
Suddenly, a loud grinding noise shook the ground. The river of ticking gears had completely stopped! A family of frogs was trapped on the half-sunken water-wheel. Tinker grabbed the massive brass dials on the riverbank, but his paws were far too small.
Tinker waved eagerly at the squirrel and the owl, pointing to the stuck handles. Together, the three of them pulled with all their might. *Click-clack-BOING!* The giant gears finally released, splashing cool river water right onto Tinker's nose.
The frogs cheered as the water-wheel carried them up like a merry-go-round. Tinker wiped the dark grease off his fur and gave the squirrel a high-five. He looped the green shoelace back around his wrist, ready to find the next puzzle.
