Polly RelatesThe Tale of Squirrel Nutkin...

I recently had a conversation about Squirrels. Initially it was the Grey Squirrel and then the convo turned to the by now endangered Red Squirrel, aka Squirrel Nutkin the cute fluffy hero of Beatrix Potter's books. Now the reason this all started was a tale told to me by my own dear DG. To protect the innocent I won't mention any names or details which might just make their identities obvious...

Once upon a time there was a lady, who decided to have a short break in a seaside town with members of her extended family. The weather was fine, the company good and all was well.

Back at home this lady had left her husband in charge of the house. Being a good and considerate husband he did his very best to keep the place spic and span for his wife's return. The weather was hot, so the considerate husband decided to air the house and opened the windows. Then he went out to do some shopping, to replenish the supplies for his wife's return home...

Upon his return he was shocked, nay, horrified to find that his home had been trashed in his absence - by a squirrel. Now anyone who knows a thing or two about squirrels will assume that this was one of the grey variety, who are well known for their untidiness and their destructive tendencies. The place was a mess and the good wife would soon be home.

Hurriedly the considerate husband did his best to repair the damage, tidied up and closed the windows so as to ensure that he had no more unwanted visitors. Again, he went out, this time confident that all was as well as could be expected...

Again the considerate husband returned to his home and was confident that he could finish off the tidy up operation and settle things down before his wife got home from her short break. Alas, this was not to be for the place had been trashed for a second time!!!!!

Now as if this wasn't bad enough, the considerate husband then discovered the culprit, curled up and fast asleep on the sofa...

Laugh, I nearly cried! This is a true story, which happened only last week. Goodness only knows how the considerate husband got the critter out of the house, because grey squirrels, as I already hinted at are vicious brutes and well able to stand up for themselves...

What I do know is that the lady concerned returned from her short break at the seaside to find her poor husband traumatised and her lovely home a mess. Luckily she has got a good sense of humour and can now see the funny side of things...