Squirrel in a Tree
a limerick just for Anya

A squirrel lived high up in a tree
who didn’t want anyone near, you see
so when someone walked by
he exclaimed with a cry
and dropped nuts to cause them to flee


This limerick is based on interactions with a squirrel on a recent hiking trip. I stopped to rest when I reached the mountaintop near a beautiful lake. However, a squirrel decided I was invading his territory so came close to within two feet away and began angrily chattering at me. I imagined him saying: “You need to leave, right now. I say, human, this is my tree, so you need to leave.” The squirrel became louder, “Do you not understand what I am telling you? Leave, you need to leave.” His squirrel voice was the loudest squirrel sound I have ever heard combined with a stare that was meant to frighten every perceived enemy. I then decided to take a couple of steps closer to determine his reaction. He ran up a tall pine tree so thought I had indeed won the argument, but he had a back-up plan. Pieces of tree bark began falling in my direction, and I looked up and there he was at the very top of the tree sitting on a nest with a pile of bark chips very carefully choosing nice-sized missiles to toss in my direction. I hate to admit, the squirrel won, so I turned to hike back down the mountain and leave him to his premier spot next to the lake.