The little black squirrel ran across the road. A busy road. Four lanes, viagra buy at least.
The first car hit its mark.
The squirrel got up quickly, and continued across.
The second car hit its mark also.
It took a few seconds longer to get up, but he finally did, and scurried across.
The third car was the last straw.
The little black squirrel could no longer get up.
It lay there, its back likely broken, its innards crushed.
My heart went out to that little creature.
I was a youngster at the time – looking out onto the busy street from my front window.
And the incident forever changed how I look at squirrels.
They are always so BUSY. Always so QUICK! They leap from tree branch to tree branch as if they have NO FEAR! And I know that they do not.
It is in their DNA to have no fear. To leap from branches hundreds of feet up in the air. To have no fear of falling.
But they do, indeed, from time to time, succumb to gravity.
I witnessed a squirrel fall once, after scrabbling with another squirrel high in the treetops.
After I ran to the scene, I found a spot of blood in the snow.
The squirrel had apparently risen from the dead, and scurried off, as if the incident was no more than an inconvenience.
And I have found a grey squirrel who succumbed quite handily to his fall onto an ice covered driveway.
Even so, I believe they have no fear.
No fear to run across roads as quickly as their little four legs will carry them.
Their tails held high as if to propel them quicker across the asphalt.
They know those huge, speedy creatures with bright lights and rubber legs are out to hunt them down. And they run across the road, nevertheless. To get to the other side. Where the grass is greener. Where the food is better. Who knows what reasoning is in their little minds.
They have no fear.
They are among the few creatures who have adapted to live amongst us humans. Along with Canada geese, chipmunks, raccoons, skunks.
They are considered by some a blight; a nuisance. A “pest” to be gotten rid of, once they learn how to inhabit our attics. A warm, safe place, with plenty of insulation for bedding.
But after watching a documentary on squirrels, I am stricken with a renewed respect for their intelligence.
The way they remember where they have hidden their nuts. By a mathematical method called “triangulation”. They look around after they have buried their treasures, and remember the trees, and other landmarks. And when they are seeking to recover their food, they seek out those landmarks.
How incredible is that?
A feat that human brains cannot begin to fathom.
From these “tree rats” no less!
And their enthusiasm for work is inspiring. Impressive.
And how cute are they, when they actually bury a nut for future food, patting down the earth on top of it with their little hands. That is CUTE!
They are always looking for food. Making a nest. Chasing each other around.
It is a rare sight to see a squirrel resting. If only to bask in the rays of the sun to warm their tiny bodies, as far as I can tell.
And so I salute this small creature who has learned to live amongst us humans, despite all the dangers, and still be as diligent and hard working as ever. I may even say inspiring, after witnessing all the hard work and get-to-it-ness that they display.
Oh, and no fear.