The Squirrel, the Fox and the Raven

As the artillery plowed through the dusty cornfields, the smoke-darkened sky dropped missiles of death to the once-beautiful Earth. Destroying whatever they touched. Anything. Everything. In a single venomous burst of hate.

Leaving those able to survive to scatter in horror.

There are no words to adequately describe the terror. And, I remind you that humans were not the only targets of the screaming comet-like projectiles raining down from the black Heavens.

All forms of life suffered. Trees. Plants. Flowers. And sadly, the Animals.

This is a tale about such victims of Man’s hatred.

As the Earth erupted in clouds of darkness, leaving huge craters around him, a lone squirrel tried desperately to hide beneath the roots of a mangled tree. Shaking violently. Wild-eyed with fear.

I shall call him Samuel.

When at last the unbearable, deafening sounds ceased, Samuel dared to survey the shambles around him. Not trusting to venture further however, he withdrew back into his shelter. It was then he noticed the blood seeping from his hind foot.

Suddenly, Samuel’s throat felt as if it had been rubbed with sandpaper. Dry. Very dry. And very sore.

He needed water.

Then he felt weak.

“Are you hurt?”

Startled, and terrified by the appearance of a fox peering into his shelter, Samuel barely managed a feeble squeak.

“Don’t be afraid,” said the fox. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

This, of course, did nothing to make Samuel feel any less afraid.

“The Sky has ceased its bombardment. The field monsters have moved on. For now at least.”

Realizing that the fox COULD have devoured him as soon as he was discovered, Samuel dared to exhale a bit of his fear. But just a bit. Perhaps the fox was making a game of him! Enjoying himself before he ate!

“There, I see! You have an injury to your hind foot! We will have to tend to that before it becomes infected. Are you able to walk on it?”

Exhaling another small bit of his fear, Samuel looked at his foot. “I don’t know,” he replied shakily.

And with that, Samuel attempted to stand. Unsuccessfully attempted, for when he tried to put weight on his foot, he promptly fell back in pain.

No. That wasn’t going to work.

“Hmmm,” muttered the fox. “That’s not good. We’ll have to get you out of here and get that taken care of.”

“But I can’t walk!” wailed Samuel, having suddenly overcome his initial fear.

“Yes, I can see that,” said the fox. “If I lie down flat, do you think you can climb upon my back?”

“I don’t know. I can try. But where will you take me?” asked Samuel, with a tinge of fear still remaining in his voice. After all, this was a FOX offering to help a SQUIRREL. How does THAT happen?

“I will spare you the details of how and why I came to be so far this direction, but if you can manage the ride on my back, I will take you to my home, where it’s safer, and have the Raven look at your wound. The Raven is a very good healer and I’m sure he will be able to help. At any rate,” the fox continued, “we’ll get you away from any field monsters that may still be lurking.”

After a bit more discussion about logistics and maneuvering, Samuel finally managed to climb – albeit slowly and with no small amount of pain – upon the fox’s back. Then, clinging as tightly as he could, together they made their way in the opposite direction of the field monsters, heading toward the home of the fox, with a brief stop at a small stream where Samuel was able to quench his dreadful thirst.

After what seemed a journey of a thousand miles, Samuel and the fox finally arrived at their destination. Safe from the field monsters.

Taking a quick scan of their surroundings, the fox, with Samuel still on his back, crawled through the cleverly-disguised mouth of his den, where Samuel very carefully, removed himself from his back.

Following a few minutes of rest, the fox announced that he would go in search of the Raven.

“I won’t be long, and you will be safe here until I return.”

Exhausted from the long ride, Samuel finally overcame his last remnant of fear and drifted to sleep.

Making his way through the war-ravaged forest, the fox finally spied the Raven perched on the limb of a mostly-burned tree. After hearing the story of Samuel, the Raven agreed to return with the fox to see if he could be of any help.

Upon their return, in a demonstration of patience and skill, the Raven dealt with Samuel’s wound, causing as little pain as possible.

As he examined Samuel’s wound one last time, he wished him a speedy recovery and safe travels as he prepared to depart.

Suddenly, Samuel realized that he did not know the true names given to his new friends.

“I am in debt to you both,” said Samuel. “In gratitude, may I know your names?”

To which, the fox replied, “I am Peace,” and the Raven said “I am Compassion. We were so named by Mother Earth, she whose heart is filled with Love.”

It was several years later that all three friends passed to Freedom. Safe from all harm at last.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Using 5 words given by my husband: 

hurt    love    together        artillery         demonstration

War. What is it GOOD for? Absolutely NOTHING!