Dear Susie,
I sat down today to write and invite you for Christmas lunch, but now I’m rethinking that. Seems I have a problem. A problem that involves a very annoying human.
We all make mistakes, some of them small and some of them huge. This time I made a really big one! I chose the wrong place for my home. I found this wonderful place with oak trees stretching to the sky. Since I love heights, I picked the tallest one. When the wind blows I’m able to fall asleep as the large branches sway. And, the acorns, oh my, there are thousands of acorns. There would be no limit on acorns to stash and during the cold days ahead, I could have a feast every day. It seemed the perfect place to winter.
That was until SHE came out. She had the audacity to sit below my tree. MY TREE! There I was stuck high above with no easy way down. Not only did she sit there, she stayed! With the warm sun shining on her and a book in her hand she had no desire to leave. What’s a squirrel to do? Of course, you know I can jump from tree to tree, but my tree isn’t close to another tree and that was my second mistake. I didn’t plan for an emergency escape route. I tried throwing a few acorns at her, but she just laughed; laughed right out loud! Slowly I crept down the trunk to a lower branch. There was only one thing to do . . . jump! With outstretched legs I launched myself as hard as I could just like a flying squirrel, which I am not. With a loud splat, I landed hard on my belly right in front of her. Ha! I startled her, maybe scared her so bad she won’t sit under my tree again! I took off at a run to the nearby woods climbed a tall pine, rubbed my aching belly, and dreamed of my comfy nest across the way.
Should I find another tree? Build another nest? No, I like my tree and I like my nest! It’s the best tree in the neighborhood. The perfect tree! The perfect nest! Well it would be perfect if I could only get rid of her! I know, what to do. I’ll wish for cold, cold weather and lots of snow. That should keep her and her book inside! I’m wishing! I’m wishing! I’m wishing! And I’m singing . . . Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Oh no, I’ve just had a thought. What if she likes cold weather and snowy days. I’m doomed! Doomed to sitting in a scratchy pine tree gazing longingly at my nest.
Do you think maybe I could come visit you on Christmas? I’ll bring some acorns for acorn stew!
Yours truly,
Skyler the Squirrel
* * * * *
Winter Writing Sanctuary
Assignment: a different perspective
This writing is based on a true story.
Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
What a fun story Cathy. I can really imagine it happening just that way!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSo cute! I would love to read this to some of my great grand kids if they lived nearby. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. My grandsons enjoyed it.
DeleteA cute story, Cathy! I don't need three guesses to know who the book reader might be!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute story, Cathy! I often wonder how our native wildlife feels about us humans encroaching on "their" space :)
ReplyDelete