Peer Pressure

A group of squirrels lived in the branches of the great cottonwood tree on Farmer Jack’s farm. The squirrels had lived there for many years and had built up a great home nestled in the tree. Sammy always seemed to be looking for adventure.

One day, Sammy saw a trap that the farmer had set. Most of the squirrels knew that they should avoid the traps. Sammy slowly walked up to the trap and sniffed it. As he left, his tail brushed over the trap. Snap! Sammy’s tail had gotten caught in the trap! It had cut Sammy’s big bushy tail right off! He gasped, “Yikes! My tail! What am I going to do?”

That night at dinner, Sammy sulked as he ate his food. He was so sad about his tail that he just didn’t know what to do.

The next morning, Sammy got up early. He planned to visit all the squirrels he could find. While visiting with the squirrels, he encouraged each of them to cut off their tails. He explained the benefits of doing so and modeled his own stub. Each squirrel considered his request, but in the end told Sammy that they liked their tails.

One squirrel wisely said, “Sammy, just because you lost your tail over foolishness does not mean we should join you.” Sammy slowly made his way home. He would have dragged his tail between his legs if he had one.