Jim looked down and stared at the skunk who was looking up at him quizzically.
"Hi, there," he said, as he squatted down. He automatically tucked the silky
white apron up into his lap so it wouldn't get dirty on the ground, but he
never did think that talking to skunks might not be normal. After most of a day
as a female skunk, climaxed by the total chaos and zaniness he found himself in,
having a conversation with a real skunk was no more uncommon than greeting long-
lost Uncle Harry.
"Hello, skin-sister," squeaked the skunk. "My compliments to you, and apologies
for disturbing your thoughts. I would not have done it, but I have an urgent
problem."
"I see. What is it?"
"Well..." the skunk looked embarrassed.. "I have 6 kits, young and healthy--"
"Congratulations."
"--thanks. But they won't stay that way long. I'm worked to the bone helping
them to find food- they're at that stage where they require a lot to eat. At
least they don't have to nurse anymore, but they're ravenous little creatures
and I just can't find enough food around here. Would you- could you- care for
two of them?"
"It would be my pleasure."
"Oh thank you, thank you! Rick! Aretha! Come here!" two small skunk kits tumbled
out of the bushes behind the mother and came bowling toward her. "Mommy, mommy,
mommy!" they cried. Tears came to Jim's eyes as the mother licked her young ones
affectionately, but with the sad air of knowing it would be for the last time.
"Children," she said softly, "You're going to a new home now. This lady has kindly
agreed to care for you as if you were her very own."
Rick and Aretha looked up at Jim... and up, and up, until they tumbled over
backwards with surprised expressions. "Wheeeee! You're big!" Rick cried.
"Yes, little kit, I am," Jim laughed, and reached out a careful paw to pick
Rick up. "Me too, me too!" Aretha cried, and Jim soon had both kits crawling
around in his lap exploring their new "mother".
"A mother's blessings upon you, my child," the skunk mother said huskily.
"I am honored by your trust," Jim replied softly, and the mother returned
to her bush with only a grateful look, mixed with a bittersweet longing. Jim
knew it hadn't been easy.
"Hey, kits," he said softly to Rick and Aretha, "c'mon, let's get you into
some new quarters". With a bit of persuading, he managed to get one in each
pocked of his apron, and very carefully stood up. Little squeals of delight
came from his pockets as the kits dangled inside them.
Jim looked around, wondering what to do next...
Sat Jul 8 19:02:08 2000