Like mother, like daughter: Squirrel bait

It is pretty foggy here and before the midday nap, we went out for a walk in the forest to see what we could see. It is hovering just above zero but is quite wet which means warm and waterproof clothing. This is nothing yet though and between now and minus 20, there are still many layers to come. We headed down to the lake as I wanted to get a few photos there and we came across a little squirrel preparing for winter.

My wife has always been obsessed with forest creatures and it seems that our daughter will follow in her footsteps. This was the first time she has really been close to a squirrel and I was surprised at how she acted. She didn't speak, she didn't point, she didn't move for the most part at all. She just watched with curiosity as the little thing got braver and came closer. At times, she could have bent and touched it but when it was at its closest, she would stand like a stone, eyes shining brightly as she watched it nibble things near her feet.

I was expecting her to move or laugh or try to get closer but instead, she was more like a hunter looking to capture it in her mind. At one point, the little squirrel ran off for a moment and my daughter watched it retreat into the forest until she could see it no more. It was only then that she looked at her mother and smiled at the experience. My wife was beaming at what was taking place and with the subdued tones of the foggy forest, there was a feel of magic about.

A moment later, the squirrel came back and it had brought a friend to come and explore the curious little girl in hot pink. They both danced around her in some kind of ritualistic display, perhaps welcoming her into their family. She watched them and would slowly turn her head so she could keep an eye on them both. They played like this for about 10 minutes and in that time, my daughter didn't take a step or say a word. If you knew her, you would understand that the only time she is not talking is when she is asleep and if she has even the slightest bit of energy in her little body, she will use it without remorse.

In the years to come, I am looking forward to going wandering into the forest when she is more stable on her feet and we are able to have some talks about what we see and find. Too often these days children are entertained by a game, a phone or a playground. Living in Finland and being surrounded by nature means that there is always something to do, something to explore, something to observe. The forest is teeming with all kinds of life and I think that watching it happen creates the understanding that it is something truly worth protecting.

There is value in simplicity of life.

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]