Soaring Squirrel Race

 

            From the moment Squeaky woke up on the day of the big race, she couldn’t contain her excitement. This was the first season that she would be allowed to participate in the “Soaring Squirrel Race.” She may be the smallest squirrel, but what she lacked in size she made up for in speed.

            Squeaky went outside to check the weather. “Perfect!” she exclaimed eagerly. There was a mild breeze that would be just right for flying. She checked over her flight suit, looking for any defects. Finding none, she put on her suit and started to run through the forest canopy.

            The race would be starting at Big Red, the tallest tree in the forest. Squeaky scampered up the massive trunk. Higher and higher she climbed until she reached the starting branch for the race. Some of the other competitors had already arrived and greeted Squeaky. She looked around at all the different sizes of squirrels and flight suits. The wings on the suits were of different kinds and colors.

            Squeaky chose an empty spot on the branch and looked down. The tree they were aiming for was more than 150 feet away and 60 feet lower than the branch on Big Red. Squeaky felt confident about making the jump. She’d had plenty of practice flying with Ollie. She looked to the sky, and there was Ollie now, flying toward Big Red.

            Squeaky moved over to give him room, and Ollie landed so quietly for such a large owl. “Are you ready Squeaky?” he asked her excitedly with eyes that sparkled mischievously.

            The small squirrel looked into the owl’s face suspiciously. They may have been best friends, but Squeaky knew when Ollie was up to something. “What are you smirking about?” she asked curiously.

            “Oh, nothing, nothing,” he said, trying to appear casual.

            “What did you do?” Squeaky asked, a little angrily. “If you’ve done anything that will ruin the race…”

            “Oh, don’t worry Squeaky, it won’t ruin it.”

            Before Squeaky could find out more, Bushy, the squirrel in charge of the event shouted, “All right, everyone! Line up!”

            Feeling a little apprehensive, Squeaky checked her flight suit one more time, and got into position in the line of squirrels. Ollie was her best friend, but he was also known for being a clever trickster. Who knew what he was up to now? She turned to watch as Ollie flew up to a higher branch and appeared to be settling down to watch the race.

            Ollie saw the squirrel’s eyes on him and he shouted, “Good luck, Squeaky!”

            Squeaky only pulled her attention away from Ollie when she heard Bushy yell, “On your mark!”

            Squeaky turned her focus back to the end tree, so far away.

            “Get set! Go!”

            Squeaky leaped off of the branch with an almighty jump. She kept her body as straight as she could to build up speed. Suddenly, she spread all four of her legs wide. The material in her flight suit caught the breeze, and she started to glide. She knew she’d had a good jump and angled herself slightly down to keep up her speed. Suddenly, from right next to her, there came a cheerful, “Well, hello Squeaky! I thought I’d join the race.”

            After the initial shock, Squeaky rolled her eyes and said, “Ollie, this race is for squirrels.” She maintained her focus on the tree as it seemed to rise up closer and closer.

            “Oh, I know that,” Ollie called out cheerfully. “But I can’t let you beat me!” With a great whoosh of his mighty wings, Ollie surged past her. Seconds later, he had landed gracefully in the tree and was there waiting when Squeaky landed next to him.

            Slightly put out, Squeaky turned to Ollie and said, “You know it’s impossible for me to ever beat you right?”

            “I just want to make sure that the record stands clear,” Ollie replied. “By the way, congratulations! After watching the race closely, I can say with certainty that you are definitely the winner.”

            Squeaky looked around in surprise. After landing in the tree, she’d been so focused on Ollie that she didn’t notice all the squirrels around her who were smiling and waiting to congratulate her. She looked back at a smiling Ollie.

            “I always felt that you did better when we trained together,” Ollie said, a little sheepishly. “I just wanted my friend to have the best jump possible.”

            Feeling a rush of gratitude to her best friend, Squeaky celebrated with the other squirrels. Now she was no longer just the smallest squirrel. She saw respect in the other squirrels’ eyes as they all celebrated with her.

            Afterwards, Squeaky and Ollie sat in a tree companionably, talking about the race. “So, Ollie,” Squeaky said with a grin. “Are you going to be part of the race every year now?”

            “Maybe,” Ollie replied happily. “As you know, owls are proud creatures, and we have to be the best at everything.” He paused and looked seriously at Squeaky. “Also, I have to be so serious around the other owls. You’re way more fun than they are. Thanks, Squeaky.” He threw a wing around Squeaky and gave her a hug.

            Squeaky returned the hug and said, “Well, it’s easy to have fun with your best friend.”