Thunder Faces Death

 

           It was a cool autumnal morning and Thunder was taking one of his morning walks.  He was en-

joying the view seeing the leaves that had changed their colors.   He also enjoyed seeing those that had

fallen on the ground.  He feared Winter would soon be there, but there was nothing he could do about 

that he thought as he walked on.

          Then he came to a circle of animals who was observing a moment of silence.  The problem was

Thunder did not understand why.  So, Thunder being a rather small dog pushed his way through to see 

what everyone was viewing.  It was only then that he saw a baby squirrel lying on its back.

            Thunder did not understand what the big deal was.  A baby squirrel was lying on its back when

it should have been up running and playing.  Thunder just shook his head and said, "it's lying around

like that is against the natural order of things.  Now you all just get back to your natural lives, and that 

baby squirrel will be up jumping and playing in no time, just you wait."

            His saying that caused a bunch of the animals to cry.  Castle the Cat slapped Thunder, and 

told him that the baby squirrel was dead.  Thunder was shocked at this statement, and he said, "Dead, 

but I thought he was just asleep.  Shouldn't we read scripture, sing song, do something to get it into

heaven?"

            Castle the Cat slapped Thunder again and said, "Squirrels don't go to heaven like all dogs and 

cats do.  They're born in the trees, and then return to the dust when they die.  That is why we have a 

moment of silence for the squirrels.  If anyone judges the squirrel's life in the hereafter, it's the ACLU.

As I understand it some squirrels go on to live in the next life as a member of the ACLU.

            Thunder did not know what to think about that.  He was certain that all creatures great and small

were made by God.  He thought the part about the ACLU was all made up by Castle.