Did you ever notice how, in a mist‑filled dream of an ancient English woodland, a red‑capped squirrel discovers a tiny, shivering orphan named Blythe, and instinctively offers her a handful of acorns, confirming that she has no mother nor father? For three days she watches over the little one, feeding her, cuddling her close, and introducing her to her own brood as if Blythe were one of her own kits. The doe‑eyed matriarch, Mrs. Hazel, greets her mate, Mr. Oakley, each time he returns from a foraging quest with a shower of kisses and gentle nuzzles, easing the weariness of the day’s hunt for food for their family.
Mr. Oakley never fails to declare his devotion, presenting her with the most splendid roses from the garden and the plumpest walnuts and almonds he can find, tokens of his affection. Together, Mrs. Hazel and Mr. Oakley form a remarkable family, for the fate of humankind rests on their tiny labours: roughly half of the seeds they bury sprout into fresh saplings that pepper the forest floor. It would be a marvel if humanity learned to heed this animal wisdom.
A few curious facts about squirrels and their “family sagacity” flutter through the dream like fireflies. Squirrels look after orphans; researchers have repeatedly observed female squirrels adopting abandoned pups, raising them as their own—a rarity among beasts. Forest founders, they hide countless nuts and seeds, many of which are never reclaimed, unintentionally planting new trees and thickets—nature’s secret gardeners. Their intellect is sharp, capable of remembering thousands of hiding spots, guided by spatial memory and landmarks.
Love‑laden communication is their custom: males often bring the biggest nuts and juiciest berries to the females, a sort of love‑gift. Social care shows itself in their greetings—sniffing, tenderly touching noses, licking each other’s fur—a display of trust and affection. Their role in the ecological balance is vital; without them, woodland ecosystems would lose much of their diversity, for they disperse the seeds of countless tree species, keeping nature’s equilibrium intact.
The lesson for people is clear: tend to the vulnerable, give generously, and think ahead. Such habits weave stronger families and forge a sturdier society, all whispered on the wind of a strange, moon‑lit dream.
