StormClan's Folly/Chapter 1

"Enough! What use is it to point paws? None of us chose to share our territory with SkyClan. Now they are gone, just as Swiftstar says, and we must find a path forward. Some of you believe we should have done more to help SkyClan. But if so, why did StarClan stay silent? They sent no message, no warning to any medicine cat, in any Clan. Perhaps StarClan meant for SkyClan to leave the forest."

— Molepelt addressing the Gathering in StormClan's Folly, page 13

StormClan's Folly
Chapter number:	1 (of 32)
Page numbers:	5-16
Point of View:	Galepaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter one of StormClan's Folly. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 1 (of 32)

Page Numbers: 5-16

Chapter description

Galepaw attends a tense Gathering, where the Clans and their leaders are deep in discussion about SkyClan. Swiftstar of WindClan declares that since it has been twelve moons since SkyClan's departure from the forest, nobody should expect their return at this point. Most cats are troubled by this, and some even declare that the Clans should be ashamed of themselves, since they are all responsible for driving the fifth Clan out. Swiftstar stresses that they should look into the future as four collective Clans instead. Birchstar, RiverClan's leader, fears that Twolegs may come to destroy the rest of the territory as well, forcing everyone to leave their home. This sparks panic amongst the gathered, and Galepaw seeks comfort in her sister, Crowpaw. Ripplegrass tells them not to worry about such matters yet, given they are just apprentices. Galepaw follows her mother's suggestion of getting a drink at the edge of Fourtrees, hoping to get a break from all the tension.

After brushing off Pebblepaw's attempts at joining her, Galepaw departs from the crowd. She meets Stripepaw, an apprentice of ThunderClan, who is also attending the Gathering for the very first time, just like her. The two of them stay and talk for a while, enjoying each other's company and discussing the Clans' future. Stripepaw theorizes that it might be good if they have to leave the forest; he fantasizes about adventuring through the big world. His excitement is infectious, and Galepaw cannot help but indulge his ideas despite her initial reluctance. Their conversation, which has become full of jokes, is cut off by a yowl from the middle of Fourtrees.

The two apprentices return to the Gathering. Molepelt, ShadowClan's medicine cat, absolves the Clans of blame—Twolegs had destroyed SkyClan's territory, which had been out of anyone's control, and SkyClan had made their choice to leave because of it. Milkfur disagrees, insisting that all the Clans had allowed SkyClan to starve and suffer. When he accuses ThunderClan of greedily claiming that part of the forest shortly after SkyClan's departure, the Gathering devolves into chaos. Galepaw and Stripepaw get separated when Galepaw's mentor, Squirrelbrush, ushers her back towards WindClan, and the Gathering comes to an end. Back in camp, Galepaw watches Pebblepaw thoughtfully save her a piece of her favorite prey. She reminisces on her easy connection and friendship with Stripepaw and sighs, knowing full well that her future mate will not be a cat from ThunderClan.

Characters

Major

• Galepaw
• Stripepaw

Minor

• Swiftstar
• Crowpaw
• Ripplegrass
• Pale-furred ThunderClan cat
• Fearful ShadowClan apprentice
• RiverClan senior warrior
• Larkwing
• Redstar
• Birchstar
• Dawnstar
• Pebblepaw
• Thrushpaw
• Molepelt
• Milkfur
• Seedpelt
• Squirrelbrush
• Stripepaw's mentor

Mentioned

• Cloudstar

Errors

• Molepelt is mistakenly referred to as a she-cat.