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Once upon a time, there was a young squirrel. His Momma and Poppa told him to stay away from the people that lived in the house where their Pin Oak tree grew, but being a curious little fellow, he didn’t always listen.
One day as he was sniffing his way around the yard, and digging under the variegated boxwoods, he spied something new. It was on the ground in plain sight, but it was also up close to the forbidden house. He looked around, then took a few steps. Listened and looked again, and took a few more. Little by little he climbed over the low fence and crept on to the hard surface that held this mysterious item.
Get ready, get set, GO! The young squirrel ran across the hard space, grabbed the new thing, and took off for the tulip tree. It was pretty big, and not so easy to hold on to while he climbed. Remember, he was still a little boy squirrel with a tail bigger than his body.
The new thing rattled when he shook it, something must be inside! It smelled good, too. Since being brave one time today had been okay, he decided to be brave again. He started cracking the new thing open bit by bit, until he found the part that smelled good enough to eat.
Now his Momma had taught him not to just eat anything he saw, but to check with her first. This time he did as he was told, and took the nice smelling piece to her. "That is a peanut", said Momma, "and you may eat it. But you must be careful when you find them so the people in the house don’t catch you!"
Every day the little squirrel found another peanut on the hard ground by the house. He didn’t realize it was a tiny bit closer to the house each time. Little by little, the people in the house were tricking the little squirrel to come closer.
It finally happened, the peanut was right on the doorstep of the house, but the little squirrel liked peanuts so much he didn’t care. Day after day, he went bravely up to the doorstep to get his peanut. He could see the people that lived in the house through the window, but he didn’t think they could see him.
One day when the little squirrel went to the step for his peanut, it wasn’t there! He looked left, he looked right. No peanut! Oh My, there was his peanut, but it was on the inside, not out where he was. He stood up and looked in the window with his paws on either side of his face to block the glare. Sure enough, there was a peanut and the people who live in the house.
Slowly, very slowly, the window started to move. Little squirrel jumped back, but watched closely. When the people inside moved back from the window, he had to make a decision. He really wanted that peanut.
Looking left, looking right. On your mark, get set, go! The little squirrel zoomed into the opening, grabbed the peanut and made for the nearby pine tree. His little heart was beating so fast he was almost dizzy!
The next day, and all the days after, the peanut was again inside the window. The little squirrel was getting bigger now and was no longer scared. Every day he would go up to the window, stand up and look into the house. He even tapped his claws on the glass if the people forgot to bring the peanut. He no longer ran with his treat, but sat right inside the door and had his peanut. The people in the house stayed back, so he wasn’t afraid. Sometimes the man would be sitting on the floor holding the peanut and the squirrel would go up to him and gently take it from his hand.
Then one day a terrible thing came into the yard. The people called it Macho, and it was a really big dog. Mr. Squirrelah, as he was now called by the people, didn’t dare go into the house. He watched for days and the big dog didn’t go away. Sadly, he decided to move away from the house with the peanut in it. So he said goodbye to his Momma and Poppa, and started looking for a new home.
He tried several houses, but some didn’t have tall trees that were good for a squirrel's nest, many had big dogs, too, and none had peanuts. He’d go up to the windows and look inside, hoping against hope that he would find a new home.
One day he heard a commotion a few houses away. There were all different kinds of birds and a few squirrels that he didn’t know, and they were all talking about this yard. It had sugar maple and redbud trees, dappled willow bushes and flower beds and lots of places to play hide and seek. There were feeders with all kinds of seeds, and a water fountain, cut up apples, and glory be - peanuts on the hard floor by the window. Could this be his new home?? He ran without thinking and scooped up a peanut and ate it right then and there. He picked up another and another, he had never had more than one peanut a day before, yum yum yum. He got a long drink at the water fountain and then it was time for a nap. The sunny spot on top of the swing looked just perfect!
The next day, he looked in the window, and low and behold, there was a woman in there who looked a lot like the woman from his first house. The man looked different, but he seemed nice, too. There was a dog they called Lucy, but she only came to the window sometimes, she was very old. The nice people always knocked on the door before they let Lucy out so Mr. Squirrelah could hide first.
Mr. Squirrelah now lives in a hole in the tall cottonwood tree in the yard with the new people. They don’t let him in the house because of Lucy, but they do put a peanut outside for him every day. And if they forget, he reminds them by standing up, putting his paws up on the glass and tapping until they remember.
I think he will live happily ever after.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to my sister, Carolyn Lochman, for training Mr. Squirrelah, and for getting Macho so Mr. Squirrelah would find my garden. It wouldn't be the same without him. She supplied many of the pictures.
Other pictures were taken by DG members: UniqueTreasures (close up standing at tree), lilyfantn (climbing fence) & Martyboy1 (on swing)
For more fun stories about squirrels and wildllife, go to Dave's Garden wildlife forum.
About Cathy M Wallace
I'm rediscovering the joy of being in the garden, playing in the compost, remembering gardens from my childhood and dreaming of those to come. Physical challenges are helping me learn all about raised beds, lasagna gardening and new tools. In addition to our yard, my husband and I take care of several gardens at church. We love our family, friends, travel, writing & laughing.
Posted by Leehallfae (from Seattle, WA) on February 5, 2008 at 4:24 PM:
Thank you for sharing this very sweet story. :)
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on February 5, 2008 at 4:33 PM:
You are most welcome, I'm happy you enjoyed reading it. C
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Subject: You are awesome
Posted by scwall (from Saint Louis, MO) on February 1, 2008 at 12:14 PM:
I'm sitting amazed that I didn't know you were so talented. What an awesome story. Makes me think of my Dad and all the things he would do for his squirrels and birds.
Maybe you should write kids stories.
Proud to say that I'm related to you.
Love you!
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on February 1, 2008 at 4:28 PM:
Just delightful. Clever with the links too.... Congratulations!!
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Subject: What a lovely Story.
Posted by frostweed (from Arlington, TX) on February 1, 2008 at 10:54 AM:
I love squirrels too, they are totally adorable and watching them is a pleasure.
But they also upset me, when they take my figs, or pecans, or dig up my plants, nevertheless i still think they are adorable creatures.
Josephine.
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Posted by Loppy (from Oakville
(Canada)) on February 1, 2008 at 11:06 AM:
This story is, without a doubt, the cutest version of dealing with squirrels that I have ever read. I laugh at them all of the time but they also drive me absolutely nuts! At any given time, we have 8 to 10 of them in the back yard. They are welcome to share the bird seed but I really do wish they wouldn't insist on eating everything in my garden. I have enjoyed your story so much, that I have emailed the information to a friend of mine who recently moved to California, and who also used to sit and laugh at the squirrels. Thank you, thank you.
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on February 1, 2008 at 11:09 AM:
Thank you both so much, you've made me smile this morning, too.
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Posted by gabagoo (from Yonkers, NY) on February 1, 2008 at 11:12 AM:
I love the story!
I feed the squirrels in my yard.
they are the fattest, happiest squirrels around, that's for sure!
I put out whole peanuts & some "squirreI mix" (from the Wild Bird Center).
As an extra treat, I make a mixture of peanut butter, corn meal and chopped peanut halves.
I'll form it into little balls and toss some out for them.
While the squirrels tend to just bury the whole peanuts, the peanutbutter balls will be eaten on the spot.
It keeps them busy enough to leave the bird feeders alone.
If I go out the door, there's one brave one who figured out that I'm the source of the goodies and will come closer. A couple of the others will wait on the fence. A few are 'scardy cats, and will take off, only to return to find the others already munching away.
Last year, I discovered a peanut plant growing from one of the forgotten buried peanuts.
It's a nice plant with pretty yellow flowers. In the fall I actually harvested about a dozen peanuts! Very exciting!
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Posted by jmcdowell (from San Antonio, TX) on February 1, 2008 at 11:39 AM:
Great story. Sadly I have no squirrels. But now I wish I did. Thanks!
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on February 1, 2008 at 11:42 AM:
Haha, you are sure to get some offers from people with extras! Thank you, Cathy
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Posted by bivbiv (from Central FL, FL) on February 1, 2008 at 1:40 PM:
Thanks for a charming story.
I've never understood why people try to keep squirrels out of bird feeders. Squirrels are welcome to our feeders and the birdbath, and they often sit right alongside the birds with everyone sharing in peace.
The only plant ever eaten by a squirrel was a pot of purslane. Strangely enough, the other four pots were never touched. Maybe we keep them so well fed that they ignore the plants.
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Posted by frostweed (from Arlington, TX) on February 1, 2008 at 1:56 PM:
I would like to think that too, but the main purpose of their digging is to bury food for later use, especially nuts, they are not trying to eat the plants they are trying to hide the nuts, but they injure the plants in the process. Still I understand that is their survival instinct.
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Posted by jmcdowell (from San Antonio, TX) on February 1, 2008 at 2:21 PM:
That reminds me of my downstairs neighbor at an old apartment I used to live at.
He loved the squirrels and had a squirrel feeder on one of the trees off our patios.
One evening I saw something crouched on the corn munching away, I went outside to look and it was a HUGE rat. Squirrels are cool, but rats... I don't think so.
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Posted by Lindawalkabout (from Holden, MO) on February 1, 2008 at 2:43 PM:
Great story and you had me laughin, putting his little paws up to hide the glare of the window, lol.
Sisters of course, that's why the new lady looked like his first home owner who was feeding him peanuts, lol
thanks for a really good story
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on February 1, 2008 at 2:53 PM:
You are very welcome, thanks for the kind words. Smiling, Cathy
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Posted by chickenrancher (from Nova, OH) on February 1, 2008 at 3:27 PM:
Oh, you make me wish I still had the picture of our kitten and the squirrel. We lived in an apartment and of course there were a lot of squirrels.One particularly fearless squirrel would come right up to our window and our kitten would sniff at the squirrel through the screen. I managed to snap a picture of it but that was our old camera... I wonder if I ever emailed it ?.....Nope too bad it was cute.
Great article. Megan
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Posted by soapwort243 (from South Milwaukee, WI) on February 1, 2008 at 7:04 PM:
Very cute story and pictures ! I have a sister that lives in Chicago and was sure surprised this past summer, while visiting, when a squirrel came in her door that was ajarred. "It's okay-He just wants a peanut" she calmly replied. She got out a peanut and he was gone just as fast as he came. He was pure black and shiny. It was the first time I saw a black squirrel. I have grey squirrels and they never come close to me. Because of the damage they do, I'm NOT going to feed them! But I do think they are cute. :)
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on February 1, 2008 at 11:10 PM:
Lovely!
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Posted by bjf826 (from Tallahassee, FL) on February 3, 2008 at 2:16 PM:
What a delightful article! Thanks for sharing.
Barb
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Posted by CapeCodGardener (from Mid-Cape, MA) on February 4, 2008 at 9:45 AM:
What a great way to remind me of how much I enjoy watching those comical furry clowns and acrobats! I try feeding them their peanuts at the far end of my garden to keep them away from my winter bird feeders, which works, sort of . Then this morning I observed Mr. Squirrel calmly prying sunflower seeds out of my new supposedly squirrel-proof feeder and devouring them with gusto!
Thanks for the terrific photos, too.
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Posted by Yuska (from San Antonio, TX) on February 4, 2008 at 11:51 AM:
Thanks for this marvelous story. I really enjoy the squirrels here. Such acrobats! At one bird feeder they have to hang upside down from the crossbeam to partake, but they do it almost every day. Yuska
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on February 4, 2008 at 11:52 AM:
Thank you for sharing your stories, they make me smile! Cathy
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Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on February 4, 2008 at 10:36 PM:
What a fun story! I don't know how I missed it earlier--I noticed it in the newsletter. Our squirrelly-poos have their own feeders, and the birds get safflower seeds in theirs, which squirrels detest.
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Subject: wildlife
Posted by Zanymuse (from Scotia, CA) on January 31, 2008 at 8:08 PM:
I enjoyed your squirrell story very much. Watching wildlife is better entertainment than T.V. these days.
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on January 31, 2008 at 8:16 PM:
Thank you very much! I agree about TV, I rarely turn it on these days.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on February 1, 2008 at 2:31 AM:
I enjoyed your story also. Aren't we fortunate to have such fun waiting outside our doors and windows.
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Posted by lilyfantn (from Kingsport, TN) on February 1, 2008 at 6:17 AM:
Great job Cathy!! I loved it!
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Posted by pelletory (from Marlton, NJ) on February 1, 2008 at 7:04 AM:
Very nice article! I enjoyed it very much!
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Posted by debilu (from Fingerlakes Region, NY) on February 1, 2008 at 7:30 AM:
Yes I have fun with squirrels too - nice article!
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Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 1, 2008 at 7:55 AM:
Great article, I loved it! Wonderful pictures too. Good job, :)
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on February 1, 2008 at 9:04 AM:
What a fun story Cathy - I'll read it to my grandbaby :)
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Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on February 1, 2008 at 9:16 AM:
Awesome telling of a sweet tale Cathy!! I know many people don't care for squirrels, but I love them and loved your story. Thanks for sharing the adventure so well.
Janet
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Posted by starlight1153 (from Seale, AL) on February 1, 2008 at 9:19 AM:
Thanks for the beautiful story this morning. Sitting here with such a smile as I followed yoru squirells story. reminded me of my Dad and how he would go out every morning, sit in a chair and watch as his special squirell would come down to take peanuts from his hand.
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Posted by Lily_love (from Central, AL) on February 1, 2008 at 9:56 AM:
It's a sweet story to read to our youngs. I've come to realize, the older I've become, the more I'm returning to basics. The love of nature and renew my love and passion for all creatures in the wild. I'm graceful, you've shared this article with us all.
Thanks
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Posted by Dhaila (from Haldawani
(India)) on February 18, 2008 at 9:51 AM:
A great way of story telling. As a kid I had a lot of opportunity to adopt squirrels and they are a great fun. In India the most common garden squirrels are gray in colour having three white lines running through their back and are same size as illustrated in the photo.
Thanks
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on February 18, 2008 at 11:53 AM:
You are welcome, and thanks for telling about your squirrels!
I think he will live happily ever after.
