Trapped! by Reva Lachica Moore
“Screech!” “Screech!” “Screech!” “Thump!”
“The little squirrel is back again!” I hollered ‘though nobody could hear me. From my computer desk, I could see its tail. Ever since we placed the acrylic birdfeeder outside the game room, birds and squirrels had been fighting over it. And with the ‘bully’ mockingbird guarding the main feeders, anytime the squirrel had a chance, it would try to climb.
“Screech!” “Screech!” “Thump!”
The rain had made the vinyl boards hard to climb. I saw a little tail go over the wooden deck.
“Screech!” “Screech!” “Screech! “Thump!”
“I can’t believe it! It’s back again!” I said loudly, though no one was around to hear me. “No chance to climb up there today, Little Squirrel.” I saw (it) scurry back toward the fence.
“Klank!” “Klunk!” “Klank!” “Klunk!”
“What in the world?” I got up from my chair and looked outside. What I saw horrified me! “Oh nooooo!” My heart ached. I couldn’t bear seeing animals get hurt. But the little squirrel got into big trouble this time. It must have climbed up the wooden cabinet looking for food and got into the mouse trap. I could see something sticking out of the trap, which I thought was part of its hind leg. What should I do now? I wanted to help the squirrel so badly, but I could get bitten. Rabies is not a good thing. Maybe I could put a bag on the squirrel’s head and then undo the trap??? But I had no idea on how to undo it.
I felt as helpless as the squirrel as I watched it, trap in tow, drag itself over the porch. Then SILENCE. All I could do was pray for the furry thing.
Several minutes passed. I did not hear or see the squirrel anymore. I knew though it wasn’t going to make it.
I had, for a moment, forgotten about the squirrel when several minutes later, I looked up from my keyboard. I saw something moving on the top of the fence. It was the squirrel with the dangling mouse trap. The heavy trap kept it from going over the fence. At this point, I grabbed my camera, which I always have on my desk, and zoomed in to take this picture.
“God, please help that squirrel. I don’t know what to do.” I went back to my computer work. Minutes later, I looked up again. The squirrel was gone! I felt relieved but at the same time, I had this sinking feeling that it will die anyway. The mouse trap is so heavy. It cannot live like that.
I walked to the backyard; the grass was still wet. From a short distance, I checked the fence for any sign of a fallen mouse trap, still hoping the animal was able to get out of it. I did not see anything.
The following morning, my curiosity took me outside again. I walked to the fence still hoping for a little miracle for the tiny squirrel. I did not see the mouse trap. I got closer and what a pleasing sight. I saw the mouse trap next to the shed’s foundation. “Thank You, Lord!” Just maybe, the squirrel will be OK.
I did not see the squirrel the next day and the following days. But today, who comes into the deck? The little squirrel. Soon I heard the “”Screech!” “Screech!” “Screech!” again. Then “Thu-thud!” It went inside the acrylic bird feeder. All I could do is shake my head.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”