I'm a Squirrel Not a Tree Rat
Eagles circled and glided above
Talons sharpened to strike prey they would quickly dispose of
Swooping tree tops with wingspans so threatening and large
They squawked viciously to those below while preparing to charge
Giggles, smirks and calling names
Cheat too many from fun in playing life’s checkerboard of games
It didn't take long for the blackbirds who cawed in unified torment
The targets of scorn immediately picked up on the scent
The air reeked of bigotry, racism, and hate
How many others would join in and take the bait
You see, Sally the squirrel spoke softly in her defense
“I’ve done nothing to you,” she cried. “Please stop making my life so tense"
Whitey the eagle was the first to chime in
Then the two biggest blackbirds named Bertie and Merle sneered with an evil grin
“Tree Rat, Tree Rat, look at the Tree Rat,” they bellowed with glee
“We know Sally’s a squirrel, but she’s still a Tree Rat to us” they yelled bluntly
“I’m not a tree rat,” Sally shyly murmured to her foes
“Please don’t call me what I’m not and add to my woes”
“I fight for my scraps in a world of survival”
“Do not assault me with pelting stones of babble”
“You call me names and they just aren't true”
“For you see, I have feelings the same as you”
“I’m not shiftless or lazy nor do I rest on my laurels”
“I’m a hunter and gatherer with a strong code of morals”
Sally pleaded, “Don’t call me names; there is no honor in that”
“If you were a horse, should I call you a gnat”
“We’re all creatures of Mother Earth, large, small and in-between”
“I could be president of all wildlife or maybe the Squirrel Queen”
“How would you feel Bertie, Merle, and Whitey if others tormented your baby birdies and they were bullied?” Sally asked the gang in the yard
“I know you wouldn’t like that while protecting your young as their personal lifeguard”
“No one agreed when Billy Blue Jay picked at the little peeps”
“They suffered from nightmares and were frightened and he gave them the creeps”
“You see we are more the same than different so there’s no need to compete”
“Let’s make our lives better and we’ll all be upbeat”
“What I’m about to say is sad, but true”
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names really do hurt both me and you”
“I know we look different – all of us do,” Sally muttered to the eagle and crow
“But we have hearts and feelings and mutual respect needs to grow”
“Name calling is bullying and causes much pain”
“We cannot be good stewards of the planet when we cause such disdain”
“We should all be kinder and more caring to each other”
“It’s now time to be good and decent and act as sister to brother”
“You keep calling me a Tree Rat and I’m a squirrel for sure”
“Let’s spread love and respect and not take a wrong turn when there isn’t a detour”
Well the story is quite easy and the lesson certainly clear
Whitey, Merle, and Bertie took a wing to wipe away each tear
THINGS STARTED OUT ROCKY BUT HAPPILY ENDED AS A GREAT DAY
FOR ALL LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE AND HOW THAT IS SIMPLY A-OKAY!
WRITTEN BY: DENNIS L. PAGE
