The wind scattered the petals across the road, and the trees were in full bloom. At first one saw a straight stretch of road; then the road curved gently out of sight, and that’s where the trouble lay.
“Hey! Joel, how goes it?” the squirrel called from under a large oak tree. A second squirrel raced down the birch tree next to the oak, landing on the new grass.
“Hello, Jeremy. Is today the day?” Joel inquired. “Am I going to have a chance to challenge death?”
Jeremy nodded quickly and replied, “Yes sir, you can have the first shot today! Just remember what I taught you.”
“Run, pause, scamper. Right?” Joel asked nervously.
“Scamper, pause, then run, Joel!” Jeremy scolded. “You don’t scamper away unless you want to be road kill. Don’t forget about Ellen. Such a fine squirrel lost.”
“Okay, I think I hear a car approaching. Here I go!”
A car turned around the corner, unaware of the danger. Joel scampered out onto the road, right in front of the car. He paused for a second, and then ran back. The squeal of brakes hurt their ears as the car swerves to avoid the rodent. The car careened over the edge of the road and hit a tree on the other side.
“Bulls-eye!” Jeremy cheered, his tail twitching in excitement.
“That was fun Jeremy!” Joel panted lightly and then burst into laughter. “Nothing is better than playing chicken with a car!”
A bird landed on a branch above their heads and chirped, “Don’t you boys have anything better to do?”
“Aww, c’mon, Julie. Lighten up, will you? The human is alright, see?” Jeremy glanced at the robin, and then at the crashed car.
Julie and Joel looked over at the car. A human male climbed out of the car. He stepped away from the crash and whipped out a cell phone.
“Dang squirrels,” he muttered, dialing some numbers. “I need assistance at the corner of Cherry Wood Drive and Oak Valley Road. My car crashed into a tree; the front end is completely totaled.”
Julie twittered sadly, “Can’t you guys find a new game? One day you’re going to kill someone.”
“Now Julie, everything is alright. We’re just a bit wound up from winter,” Joel explained.
“Yeah, you get to fly south. We’re stuck sleeping all winter.” Jeremy continued, “Cut us some slack. So it’s a bit nuts to cross the road, but we’re playing it safe.”
Julie hopped to the ground and ate a worm. She peered at the squirrels and sighed, “It’s not safe for the poor humans though.”
“Not safe for humans? Not safe for humans!” Jeremy screeched. “Humans destroy the forest; it is only fair that some of their stuff is destroyed in turn. Humans have changed the world with those metal monsters and destructive housing. Not safe for humans. Hah!”
“I can tell you are no mood to listen to reason. Fine, become road splatter!” Julie chattered angrily. She flew up into the sky and disappeared.
“Don’t listen to her, Jeremy. She’s crazy,” Joel murmured. “Shall we go again? You can take a turn and show me how it’s done.”
Jeremy twitched his tail and nodded, “Alright. Here comes a car. I’ll show that bird!”
A car whipped around the corner. Jeremy scampered out, but paused a second too long. Joel raced away from the scene, frightened. Jeremy would never run the road again.
