Jackson interrupted Grandma Birdie’s story about Stinky the Squirrel. “Why did all the animals call him Stinky?”

“If I tell you, you have to take a bath afterward. You don’t want all your friends to call you Stinky, right?”

Jackson frowned and pouted. “Okay.”

“Now let’s continue, and you’ll find out how he got his name.” She hugged him. “Stinky ran across the field, and the hawk chased him, swifter than a speeding bullet.”

“Do hawks eat squirrels?”

“Yes, they do, but Stinky was a smart squirrel. He had a plan for eluding that hawk.”

“A plan?”

“Uh huh. He was gonna hide underneath something.”

“Like moss and leaves and stuff?”

“No, they wouldn’t offer any protection from the hawk’s long talons. Stinky needed a place the hawk couldn’t get into — and it had to be really heavy, so the hawk couldn’t lift it.”

Jackson leaned closer. “I bet he was scared. What did Stinky do?”

“He scurried under a branch. The hawk picked it up and tossed it away. Stinky’s heart rat-a-tatted so fast he thought it might jump into his throat. Yet he had to keep moving. He discovered a hole in the ground and dived in — but he dashed out again, chased by an angry fox. Then he spotted a ginormous piece of bark. He skidded under, it like a runner sliding into home base, and stopped to catch his breath.”

Jackson gulped. “Ooooooh.”

“Suddenly, the bark disappeared and soared into the air. Stinky thought it had wings, but he quickly realized the hawk was carrying it away. The sun blinded him for a moment — and then he spied it: a ramshackle wooden shed with a teensy hole near the bottom that was just big enough for him to squeeze through. His little legs moved in a blur, and his tail twitched as he scampered. Aha! Safe at last.”

Jackson smiled.

“Then, the hawk flew away, hooting and giggling.”

“Why was the hawk giggling, Grandma Birdie? Stinky got away. Wouldn’t the hawk be mad?”

“Yes, Stinky escaped. But the hawk knew Stinky wouldn’t make a proper supper anymore. You see, our squirrel hero ended up at the bottom of a smelly outhouse.”

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