Courage consists not in hazarding without fear, but in being resolutely minded in a just cause. ~Proverb

“What are you doing on my air conditioning unit?”

“Just looking around.”

“At what?”

“Your lovely yard, for one thing.”

“Yes, it’s lovely. Especially when I’m chasing squirrels in it.”

“No, I think it’s more pleasant this way, with you inside looking out.”

“But I can’t get you.”

“Exactly.”

“If I make enough noise, my mama will let me out.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“Meaning?”

“She strikes me as kinder than that.”

“What gave you such a dumb idea?”

“I don’t think she wants dead squirrel in her yard.”

“Who said anything about dead?”

“Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo, this air conditioner is a nice perch.”

“I didn’t know squirrels could sing.”

“Of course we can!”

“You’re singing on our air conditioner.”

“Uh-huh, and a nice perch it is, too.”

“You said that already. What’s so great about it?”

“It’s a wonderful vantage point.”

“For what?”

“Seeing farther. Guessing distances. Avoiding pests like you.”

“Pests?”

“Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo.”

“Shouldn’t you be in a tree or something?”

“Trees are overrated. Here, I have a nice breeze, sunshine, and no bugs.”

“But there’s no food.”

“Nor am I hungry right now.”

“Wait a minute! You’re the one who leaves corn cobs and apple cores in my yard?”

“Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo.”

“Stop that singing!”

“I’m told I have a lovely voice.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong.”

“I’m not wrong about this perch.”

“Yes, you are. Why, you can’t even sleep there.”

“Why not?”

“You might fall off.”

“Have you ever tried sleeping in a tree?”

Note: This is an imaginary conversation between my dog Monkey and a yard squirrel who ventured awfully close. For several years now, I’ve been awed by my friend John Howell‘s ability to write an entire story in conversation without dialog tags (you know, that “he said/she said” part). I wondered if I could do it, too. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, you know!