I Am Much Cuter Than

I am much cuter than those squirrels. I see them in the morning when they don’t think anyone is watching, primping and posing and fluffing those tails, rubbing their teeth on the maple leaves to shine them, rehearsing their inane chatter. I choose a quieter life style, living in an underground estate, multiple entrances, sensible rooms, and a large storage space. I must collect nuts and seeds, while at the same time, evading the beaks of the birds, the claws of the cats, and the mockery of the squirrels. I tried speaking to one, one day. As he picked a seed aril from his teeth, he laughed, and made a snide remark about my skinny, rudder tail. The birds, though they never stop squawking, have little to say. The old owl, though given to wisdom, seems to have a focused interest in me, as supper. One old lady says that I am cute, and tosses me seeds and acorns. I do appreciate the handouts, but chatter my sharp and frightening teeth at her just in case any of the squirrels are watching. I have seen my reddish brown, skinny tailed, spotted image in the window of the basement. I am one handsome chipmunk. I am much cuter than those squirrels. John G. Lawless 7/22/2014 Contest - Animals Alive