Day 113: Getting Some Stick

The day starts with a squirrel throwing a stick at me.  It's a direct hit, launched from the top of a pollarded lime with so much brio that it's impossible to be offended.  In fact I feel privileged.

I like it when creatures with a serious size disadvantage stand up for themselves.  Once saw a cicada pushed too far with the taunting jabs of a piece of grass.  It simply grabbed the offending blade with two tiny cicada 'hands' and held on.  Incredibly tightly.  Suppressing the teasing.  There was a strong sense of 'Enough now - seriously.' 

And then the crab defending its territory.  Standing in the shallows of a clear river, registering disapproval at my approach.  Drawing itself up to full crab height (about three inches) and shaking its crabby fists.  Hooray for you!  You mad valiant fool.

Sometimes when you're snorkelling, a tiny fish will swim up to your mask and bead you - eye to eye.  Nothing to gain.  (Not like a pigeon sidling up when you're eating a sandwich.)  Just curiosity and fearlessness. 

Better than the squirrel, the cicada or the crab.  Not cross, or defensive.  Just VERY interested.