Slice of Life Day 7: Fiction, Finally

Fiction is not my favorite thing to write. In fact, I avoid it at all costs. But when the time comes for me to set an example for my fourth graders, I suppose it’s time to roll my pride into a ball and get on with it. Below is the story I drafted for their review.

Spoiler alert: the kids were not shy in their questions and suggestions. I’ll publish the revised version in the coming days.

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Once upon a time there was a family of squirrels living in the black walnut tree nestled at the corner of a back yard of the house on Sycamore Lane. Ralph, Mabel, and Josephine lived together in their squirrel nest without much bother. Of course, there were the blackbirds and bluejays who would sometimes tease them from the electrical wire, but usually they lived a life that was free and easy. 

One fall morning, Ralph looked down at the backyard and saw, to his surprise, that the oak tree on the other side of the lawn had dropped all of its acorns. Acorns! Big, juicy, sweet acorns – a squirrel’s favorite! 

Ralph shouted, “Mabel! Josephine! Acorns!” The three of them, excited for a delicious morning meal, scampered down the tree, but stopped short just before they got to the ground. 

“Woof! Woof!” They didn’t have to look to know it was Lilah and Winnie, the dogs who lived at the house. They had just been let out the back door and were barreling towards the squirrel trio. 

“Abort mission!” cried Josephine. “Get back up the tree!” They turned around and scurried up the tree just in time to escape the jaws of the barking dogs. “That was a close one ” sighed Ralph. 

The three squirrels huddled in their nest, hungry, scared, discouraged. They waited for what seemed like an eternity before the dogs lost interest and began sniffing their way around the yard and back inside. 

Josephine looked over the side of the nest and gave a deep sniff. “Well, the dogs are gone back inside. Looks like we’re safe to try again!” 

Ralph, Josephine, and Mabel made their way back down the black walnut, a bit more cautiously this time. and just as they were about to place their first little paws down on the ground, they heard the back door click open and a human shout, “Go get ‘em, Winnie! Go get ‘em, Lilah!”  

The dogs bounded off the deck and into the yard once again. The squirrels barely had enough time to turn around. They could feel the dogs’ hot breath on their tails as they scurried back up the tree once again. It took a while for their little hearts to stop beating so quickly, but eventually they calmed down.

 Ralph said, “Well, that was a fail.”

Josephine said, “Oh! I wish we could have those acorns! I can smell them from here.  I guess there’s just no way we’ll get those acorns with those dogs around.” 

“I suppose we’ll have to raid the bird feeder again, ” agreed Ralph.  

Just then, Mabel, who had been quiet through all of this, perked up. she said, “Maybe we can’t just have free run of the yard, but maybe there is a way we can get acorns after all.” 

“Really?” Ralph questioned doubtfully. 

“Maybe,” Mabel explained, “Maybe we have to beat the dogs at their own game.” 

The next few minutes were a series of whispers and giggles as Mabel explained her plan to the other squirrels. 

Later that morning, Ralph made his way to the fencepost along the side of the house. He wiggled his tail, he waggled his ears, and he hopped about back and forth. 

Lilah and Winnie, ever on watch, leapt to the side window and started barking furiously. Josephine and Mabel took advantage of the distraction to head into the back yard and grab as many acorns as they could carry back up to their nest. Back and forth they went for as long as they heard the dogs barking. 

By the time the house was quiet, and Ralph hopped his way back along the fencepost, the squirrel’s nest was full of rich, juicy, delicious acorns. 

“Mabel! Your thinking saved the day!” shouted Ralph and Josephine. 

“Aw, thanks,” beamed Mabel. “It was nothing. ”