When he first started waking up, he was a little disoriented. It looked like fluorescent lights overhead, but his head felt so thick, like it was hard to think. Everything was so fuzzy, and he felt warm all over. His mouth felt a little weird, too, and there seemed to be something around his eyes. Bandages? No, whatever it was, it was too thin and wispy for that.

Then his mom moved into view.

“Hello, baby,” she said, and the happy tone in her voice made him feel instantly better. “I know this might be a little strange for you, but you received an honor from the town while you were in here for your blood tests ... you know, for rescuing that little girl in the park?”

He nodded, and tried to speak, but his throat felt dry, and all he could manage was a thin raspy bark.

“Don’t try to talk, Jackie. You’re just waking up, and there are things you don’t know just yet.”

‘Things I don’t know?’ His mind started moving at 100 miles per hour.

“Everyone in town really loves you, sweetie, and wants to show you by giving you the most important role in the February Winter’s Turn Festival.” She smiled wider. “The whole family is just thrilled that you’re so well-loved, and we’re really anxious to make this all work. So there will be a lot of studying for you over the next few months as you learn your role ... all sorts of new experiences for you. You’ll really have to live the part. That means you’ll miss Thanksgiving and Christmas with the family, but no recognition comes without sacrifices, don’t you think?”

‘Studying? Winter’s Turn Festival?’ It was still so hard to think. The only Winter’s Turn Festival he knew ... there was a Grand Master, of course, but that always went to one of the town elders ...

“Your costume for the Festival is truly state-of-the-art ... bionic, really. Almost a living machine all by itself. It’s so tied up with you physically, we had to surgically bond it to your flesh, so you’ll actually be living your role for the next few months. I know, it’s going to be cold outside this winter — it always is — but the costume will keep you warm. Besides, I know how much you always enjoyed roughing it with your Dad.”

‘Roughing it? Winter camping? I’m going to be outside for MONTHS?’

“Ssshhh,” his mom whispered, patting him on his tummy and rubbing affectionately. “Don’t worry. You won’t be going outside for a while. We’ve still got to help you learn your role, and get used to your new food, and how your costume will affect how you move and even with computer enhancement, how you think, too. Don’t worry, you’re going to be the star of the festival!”

‘The star???’ He stopped, not believing what she was saying. ‘The star??? She can’t mean ...’

She read his thoughts from the look in his eyes, and she laughed.

“Don’t worry, honey. Phil’s fine, but the town wanted to honor you, so you’ll be taking his place at the Festival. He’ll still be keeping you company in the burrow for the next few months, though.”

‘BURROW?’

Someone came up beside Mom with a rolling mirror. It was Doc Stackpole, the town vet.

“That’s right, son,” Doc said. “We’ve enlarged the burrow a bit, since you’re a touch bigger than the usual occupant. Here, take a look at your new self.” The vet pushed the mirror over above him, blocking out the lights but providing a reflection that revealed his new form.

‘No! It can’t be ...’

He tried to yell, but the noise came out a shrill panicked whistle, and his mouth wouldn’t close enough to form words, or his lips wouldn’t work, or something, but he couldn’t talk. Which wasn’t surprising, after all since ...

He was a groundhog.

The Doc went on, oblivious to the boy’s panic. “Phil will be hibernating for most of the winter, but he’d want his wife with him, even if he’s not quite awake.”

‘WIFE??’ He looked over at his Mom, and she nodded.

“Well, we wouldn’t want to be sexist, dear, now would we? And it’s been so long since a girl groundhog got the chance to see her shadow. So you’re going to be Punxsutawney Phyllis, Phil’s new mate! Won’t that be wonderful?”

He stared up at the mirror, and followed the line of his new body to where his genitals once were. Were they gone? Underneath this suit? His eyes found nipples, six of them, three on each side. He raised his hands to find they were paws now, with strong claws that were apparently blunted, as he remembered Phil’s were to prevent injury when he was handled. His legs were twisted by the suit to mirror a groundhog's, and he was sure he'd have to move the same way.

“When Phil wakes up, he might be anxious to ... claim you, sweetie. You know, because you make such a pretty ... groundhoggette.” She giggled. “So we might have to talk about the birds and the bees again from the girl’s point of view ... well, girl groundhog anyway.”

He whistled again and wiggled all over, but he was tied down somehow. His mother noticed his distress, and patted him again. “Oh, don’t worry, Phyllis. You can’t have babies ... the suit isn’t THAT advanced ... but you will definitely be ... attractive to Phil, and boys will be boys, after all.”

He stopped moving, and just stared up at his reflection and his mother’s face.

“But when you come out of the burrow in February, leaving your new husband behind, television cameras from around the world will be watching to see if you see your shadow. You’ll be world-famous!”

He breathed hard, and his eyes filled with tears. His mother looked into his new furry face and smiled, turning to the assembled townspeople.

“Look! He’s crying tears of joy!"

Everyone started yelling and applauding, and his mother turned back to him with tears of her own.

"Oh, I’m so glad you’re happy, Phyllis. We can’t disappoint the town, after all. And now that you’re a girl, it’s okay to cry ... even if you’re just a groundhog.”

He closed his eyes and turned his head away, before mercifully deciding to faint.