(C)Copyright 2005-2011, Author, Sharon K. Shubert. All rights reserved.
|
This story came about from a writing exercise I participated in a few years ago, using guided imagery. (guided imagery is like a visual writing prompt, an idea, a spark of imagination to get you started when you're trying to think of something to write about, or just wish to practice your imaginative writing skills.) The imagery began with me sitting beside a tree, making daisy chains and daydreaming. A squirrel suddenly appears and talks to me! He invites me to go with him as he disappears into an oak tree. Astonished, I follow...... MY STORY: I realize now that my subconcious always knew they were there. There, in the hollows of the trees where, as a child, I tucked my secret treasures as gifts to the unseen. There, in the crevices of the huge, gray stones piled up beside the vegetable garden. Somehow they had called to me, but my mind refused to entertain such thoughts, at least for very long. Now.....I would see..... The earthy smell of moss was the first that overcame my senses as I entered the small opening underneath the thick rope-like roots. They grew above the ground, twisting, turning, camouflaging the entrance to the unknown world below. I carefully squeezed through and was met by the impatient squirrel. "Well, it took you long enough!" he exclaimed with a huff. Then he raised his tail and scampered off as I slipped and tripped behind him, trying to catch up. The trail we followed was thick with underbrush that had been pulled in from the ground above. Bits of bird feathers, strings, pecan shells, twigs, acorns and dead leaves were tucked into crevices all along the way. I suddenly realized we were inside some sort of nest! My heart began to pound in my ears, as I called out to the squirrel. "Mr. Squirrel! Stop! Wait for me!" He didn't wait, but chattered loudly as he scampered along. He was laughing! What was he laughing about? I followed, though I was ready to turn back and run away. The unknown wasn't a place I ever ventured to visit. I was comfortable in my own little world. I knew what to expect in my world, well some of the time anyway. I'd learned to deal with the ups and downs of my world. But this! This place bore no resemblance to my world and I was suddenly very afraid. "What are you afraid of?" the squirrel demanded. He had jumped out of nowhere. "I venture into your world ever day. I see you watch me from your window. I say hello, but you never return my greeting." I thought back and remembered the chattering, chattering coming from the huge, old oak tree that stood in the middle of the yard. So.....he had been calling out to me? I never knew. "I never knew, Mr. Squirrel. I'm sorry I didn't say hello back to you." I said. "I thought you were talking to Mr. Blue Jay". "I wouldn't give that old blue jay the time of day!" he exclaimed. "He's nothing but a pest, bothering me, stealing my acorns and making a mess all over the place. I was talking to you. I heard you try to mimic my call one day when you were seven. You were sitting in a truck with your father and he tried to teach you squirrel language, but even he, I have to admit, just didn't have it down. I'm afraid he has some sort of accent". he laughed. "When I was seven?!! I remember that day, but how were you there? That was many years ago in another town! "Oh, these underground passages can take me anywhere. I'm one of the oldest squirrels around", he said. |
He tried to make lightly of my questions, but I was confused and astounded. A talking squirrel who had know me when I was seven? I must be dreaming. That's it. It's a strange fantasy and I'll wake up with a laugh at this. "Empty your pockets!" the squirrel suddently demanded. He held out his paws to me. I pulled a shiny gold hair clip from my pocket. He quickly snatched it away. "What else you got? he asked impatiently. My eyeglasses were in a case in my front pocket. I started to pull them out, but changed my mind. I must have my glasses to read. The squirrel grabbed the glasses and tucked them under his arm. What a greedy little thief he was! "Let's go! We'll be late!" he said. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me along to another winding path. This path was wider. Huge acorns lined each side. Tiny sparkles glittered under my feet. A closer look revealed something familiar! Marbles I had left in the hollows of the trees long ago. Lots and lots of colorful, old marbles from my collection formed the pathway ahead. I knew it! The squirrels had taken my offerings I had left behind for the fairies! Where were the seashells, colorful fabric pieces, flower chains, red stones and bits of cookies? Were they here too? The answer came as soon as the thought was formed. Ahead lay a world of childhood imagination, not unlike mine had been. Fairies flew around in colorful, wispy attire, above the underground flowers and trees, and through the tall grasses. Their long hair flowed behind them like gold. Each one had my flower chains wrapped around their waists. My gifts of seashells tinkeled away musically in their hands. Blue eyes beckoned me to come closer, come closer. Without a word, I reached out my hand..... BZZZZZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! The alarm clock rings incessantly as I fumble in the darkness to switch it off. What was I dreaming? Oh! The fairies of my childhood imagination again! Rubbing my eyes, I pulled on my housecoat and struggled to find my houseshoes. Coffee......I must have coffee. I sit sleepily drinking my first freshly brewed cup, then I hear it. Chattering, chattering, coming from the huge, old oak tree in the yard. What?!! I set the cup down and cautiously wander over to the window. I wipe the condensation away and peer through. The squirrel happily scampers out of his perch and stands on his hind legs. He waves and chatters again, beckoning me to follow. I stood there watching for a minute or two, then lose sight of him. Where did he go? Can this be? He was inviting me to come to the secret underground world of squirrels and fairies I had dreamt of! Or was he? |