Pinky Toe

Jolo was fairly young, as squirrels go. He was a black squirrel, and very proud of it. He could have been a red, or grey, but black was the best color of squirrel, he thought. Jolo was working hard at trying to crack the walnut he had found on the ground under the big walnut tree. Walnuts were his favorite. He had been working hard most of the morning cracking and eating the delicious walnuts. He had eaten at least four or five by now, but he wasn't sure, since counting wasn't something squirrels were good at.

As Jolo continued working hard to get at the sweet walnut on the inside of the shell, he looked up and saw something that shocked him to the point of forgetting about his beloved walnuts. Jolo couldn't believe his eyes! As he looked up into the tree, there was a PINK squirrel making its way across the branches towards him. He intently watched this unbelievable sight, until the little pink squirrel climbed down and came to a stop right in front of him, and sat down.

"Hi, I'm Pinky Toe said the small pink squirrel. "Can I join you, and share some of these delicious walnuts. Pinky Toe could see that the ground was covered with the wonderful walnuts, and his stomach started to rumble, being very hungry.

Jolo was speechless. It took him a few moments before he could respond. "Just a second there chap Jolo said. "You're¦.you're pink!

"Oh yes said Pinky Toe. "I've been pink since I was a wee little squirrel.

"Well, that's impossible said Jolo. "Squirrels aren't pink! There is no such thing as a pink squirrel. he chirped. "My god man, what happened to you? Did you fall into some ladies wash, or something?

"Oh no Pinky Toe said. "I was born pink. My mommy said so.

"No, no. Now that's not possible Jolo responded. "Squirrels are normal colors like, red, grey, or the best color is black, like me. To be pink is just¦just¦well it's just terrible. You can't go around like that. You'll give squirrels a bad name, if someone sees a pink squirrel.

Pinky Toe didn't know what to say to Jolo. He had always been pink as far as he had known. His mommy had told him he was born pink. He had never given it a second thought. This was the first time he had left the nest, but he had always thought there must be other pink squirrels.

"What's your name? Pinky Toe said in a friendly manner.

"My name is Jolo the black squirrel chirped proudly. "And I'm a black squirrel, and you can not eat walnuts here. I can not be seen with a pink squirrel! Jolo exclaimed holding his chin high and proud.

Just then a shot rang out and dirt flew up in the air right next to Pinky Toe.

"It's a hunter run for your life. Jolo yelled. And Jolo took off like lightning, with Pinky Toe right behind him. Now squirrels are very fast, and Pinky Toe being smaller and younger had no problem keeping up with Jolo. Two more shots rang out and dirt kicked up right next to the running pair. Jolo looked back and to his horror the small pink squirrel was right behind him.

"Get away from me! Get away from me ! Jolo squealed. "Your pink, you stick out like a sore toe. Your going to get me killed. Just then Jolo shot left, then right, and two more shots rang out close by. Jolo looked back, now in a panic, hoping to have lost the bright pink squirrel, but Pinky Toe was right behind him, and another shot rang out.

"My god! Jolo bellowed. "You're Pink! You're Pink! Don't you understand? You're going to get us both killed. Jolo yelled.

Just then Pinky Toe shot out in front of Jolo and told him to follow, and they both disappeared into a small hole in a tree. They both ran up the inside of the tree and shot out another hole into another tree. They were safe!

Jolo looked at the small pink squirrel with a disgusted look on his face. "Listen here chap, I'm not trying to be mean, but stay away from me.

Pinky Toe looked at the black squirrel with a guilty look. "Did I do something wrong? Pinky Toe said.

"Well you almost got me killed! Jolo responded "For god sakes man! You're a pink squirrel; you stick out like a neon billboard in the forest. Who do you think the hunter was shooting at?

"I'm sorry. Pinky Toe said. "I¦I didn't know.

"Well now you do know. Jolo said. "Now go away and leave me alone. I'm leaving this tree now, and I don't want to see you following me.

Jolo left the tree thinking about the small pink squirrel. He felt bad about having said the things he had, but he was a pink squirrel, and he was going to get other squirrels killed, Jolo thought. Yes, he had done the right thing, he kept telling himself. Jolo came to the edge of a road and saw a nice walnut tree on the other side. As Jolo started to cross the black asphalt road a car came squealing around the corner coming right straight for him. Just then Pinky Toe appeared out of nowhere standing right next to Jolo. At the last second the car swerved and missed them both. Jolo cautiously looked over at the bright pink squirrel.

"You saved my life. Jolo said, and he suddenly realized he might have been wrong about the little pink squirrel. Jolo laughed "Let's go get some walnuts. And the two squirrels trotted the rest of the way to the tree. Pinky Toe smiled at the proud black squirrel, he had made his first friend. He hoped they all wouldn't be as hard.