Observations at the park

Lonnie watched the little girl.  She came to the park often and Lonnie could see her from his home.  He wanted to play with her but he was a little frightened of her.  She was bigger than he was and sometimes her exuberant and sudden movements startled him.  Still, that was part of her appeal.  That rush of adrenaline and feeling of relief were alluring.  She played by herself but she often talked and giggled as if she had a playmate.  The giggling, in particular, attracted Lonnie.  It sounded to him like she might be speaking to him.  He could almost hear the words, "Come play with me."  Lonnie crept down to the edge of the park and watched her playing on the slide.  He stared in wonder at her long blonde hair, so different than his own, short and red.  He stood next to a tree but in plain view, waiting to be noticed.  But she did not notice him.  She continued to play, to giggle, seemingly looking directly at him at times but not seeing him.  He could see now that she had a small bowl of crackers and was having a party on the platform at the top of the slide.  He longed to join the party, to replace the invisible, imaginary guest she was serving, to nibble on a cracker.  The party was soon interrupted by her father who had been sitting on a bench nearby.  He was a big man and Lonnie feared him.  Lonnie slipped around to the back of the tree, out of view.  He heard the girl and her father talking, their voices getting quieter.  Then, it was silent.  Lonnie peered around the tree to find an empty playground.  The girl was gone.  He scampered up to the platform and looked around.  A broken cracker lay near the top of the slide.  Lonnie cautiously picked it up and took a bite.  It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.  He chewed slowly, which was unusual for him.  He wanted the cracker to last forever.  He pretended he was chatting with the little girl, making her giggle.  After the cracker was gone, he ran home and took up his position watching the playground, waiting for her return.  Such is the life of Lonnie the squirrel.

Disclaimer:  While the preceding portrayal accurately reflects the actions of a young girl and a small red squirrel during a recent visit to a park, some artistic license has been taken in describing the internal mood and motivations of both characters - especially the squirrel.