Pros & Cons

The other day, I overheard an Eastern Grey Squirrel in the middle of his evening ritual. He seemed very intentional, so I didn't dare interrupt...

Squirrel 🐿️:

I'm grateful for the trees that make my food.

I'm grateful for the ground that stores my food.

I'm grateful for the branch that holds my drey.

I'm grateful I'm faster than my cousin

I'm grateful the hawk was full after eating my cousin

I'm grateful I'm not my brother.

I'm grateful for my botfly.

I know squirrels get these annoying and gruesome flies bulging from their skin around this time of year, but I had no idea why he would be grateful to have it. And what's up with that line about grateful he is not is brother? I was already overlistening, so asking about his brother would have been way too personal. I asked, "Are you really grateful for your botfly? Aren't they painful and annoying?" The squirrel quickly nodded and said, "Yes, they are, but my brother has a splinter."

-The End

Written by Donte Hunter

Pros & Cons

Colonial Heights, VA

9.24.24

Shot on Sony A1 w/ 600f4

ISO4000 f4 1/160

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