Now I know Why People Hate Squirrels
A friend gave me some Swiss Chard seedlings. I was giddy at the prospect of harvesting veggies in my yard. Farm to table, how alluring!
For hours I worked on planting these tender-leafed babies. First, scouting for the best shady location, then layering compost for optimal growth, digging holes, planting the seedlings, and watering them.
When everything was done, I watched the tiny leaves trembling in the easy breeze, while my imagination fast forwarded to the harvest season. What a glorious feeling!
I went inside the house to clean the dishes, humming a made-up tune. Every so often, I sneaked a peek at the newly planted seedlings through the glass panel. It was just perfect.
When the laundry was done, and the floor was clean, I couldn’t help checking on the Swiss chards.
In the yard, a fat squirrel stood on its hind legs, munching on something. I watched it enjoy its meal, wondering how similar we were, both giddy over good food or the prospect of good food.
I glanced at the Swiss chard seedlings and froze. They were gone?!
I turned to the fat squirrel. How dare you!
It spun around, holding a half-eaten leaf.
Ahhh! I screamed.
It startled the fat squirrel. In a moment of shock, it dropped the leaf, then picked it up again.
I screamed louder. NOT FOR YOU!!!
The squirrel leaped up the wall this time, and stayed up there watching, still munching on the leftover Swiss chard leaf.
I looked around the yard for rocks. None to be found.
You fat, greedy scoundrel!!! I screamed. My neighbors could hear me, but I didn’t care.
The squirrel stood unfazed on the wall, polishing off the last bit of my Swiss chard.
I thought of the carving knife in the kitchen.
As if reading my mind, the fat squirrel darted out of sight. I stared at the empty wall, filled with rage.
My friend said he had more seedlings to spare. That night, I stayed up Googling the most effective way to keep squirrels away. All cost money, and none were foolproof.
Every time I walked past the empty plot where the tender-leafed seedlings once stood, I thought of the fat squirrel, and my farm-to-table dream.
Dr. Ivy Ge
Doctor of Pharmacy, author of The Art of Good Enough. She writes to inspire women to design their own fate. Her writings and interviews have been featured on MSNBC, Thrive Global, Working Mother magazine, Parentology, and The Times of India.
