A Wonderful Walnuty Idea

 “I’m telling you, it’s gotta work!” Twitchy’s tail quivered furiously as he tried to explain to his brother his idea. “It’s much easier than burying them in the ground.”

“I hate to break it to you, but burying a walnut in a  tree is impossible,” Itchy said, scurrying across to the next tree. “Why is it called that anyway? They don’t grow on walls, and hey! Why do people always say, “In a walnut,”? Or was it, “In a walnut shell”? Really-”

“Itchy. Focus,” Twitchy snatched a walnut from their seed stash and ran to catch up with his brother. “All I’m saying is it’s hard to believe someone who can never remember where he buried his acorns would be against this idea.” 

Itchy huffed, scratching an relentless scratch behind his ear, like he always did when he was annoyed. “Well- like anyone would remember they buried their precious walnut in a tree,” he dropped to the ground. “And besides, I have a game of chesnut with Earl this afternoon, so I can’t help you.”

Twitchy sighed. “Fiiiiiiiiine. I’ll do it myself.”

“See you around Twitchy!” Itchy called, bounding away across the ground.

Twitchy stiffened. He wished his brother wouldn’t call him that. You see, his real name was Nutty Von Nut, but after finding out when he was nervous his tail fluttered, everyone, and I mean everyone called him Twitchy.

It doesn’t matter, Twitchy thought, I can do this by myself!

He stuffed the walnut into his mouth as far as it could go, and started up the fence to the seed yard. They called it that because it was home to many different bird feeders the squirrels like to eat from. But it was also guarded by the fearsome K9 trio of a Yorkie, a Pomeranian, and a Chihuahua. 

But the yard was clear today, so Twitchy scurried down the fence post and to the bushes. He thought if he buried them in a bush then it would be easier to get to later. He sprain into the fern and froze. He heard noise. But then it was gone. But what if it was a dog? He -and his walnut- would be safer in a bigger tree. 

He jumped out of the shrub, his tail twitching nervously. He scanned the yard and found a large River Birch had been planted in the middle of the yard. 

Perfect.

He bounded to its trunk and began to climb. He found a perfect nook where the branches split where his walnut would be safe. But as he was burying it, (as best as any squirrel could bury a walnut in a tree) a gust of wind came and swept the walnut out of his paw and hurtling down to the ground.

“NOOO!” he practically flew down the tree. He tenderly picked up the fallen walnut and shoved it back in his mouth, turning it this way and that, trying to find a better grip on the very round nut. 

With a deep breath he approached the tree and started climbing a bit slower now, and found a nook a little closer to the ground. He dug around for a while, cramping it into the branches securely. When he was satisfied, he gave his walnut a quick pat and scampered down the tree.

I did it! Twitchy thought gleefully. I, Twitchy, Buried a walnut in a tree! Let’s see Itchy do that! I bet he would forget- goodness, I sure hope I don’t forget where I buried my wal-

Twitchy froze. 

His walnut! Oh what had he done with it! He knew he had buried it somewhere close by, but couldn’t remember. 

Frantically, Twitchy searched the ground, sniffing for anything that might tell him where his walnut was.

I can’t believe this! Forgot my own walnut! Twitchy slouched down at the River Burch’s roots. And just after burying it too!

He pounded the tree trunk in frustration (secretly disappointed it made no cracks) and heard a thunk! From above. He looked up just as something fell from the tree and hit him square in the face!

He stumbled back, clutching his snout.

What in the world was that!?

He considered running around screaming, “The sky is Falling!” but instead examined his assaulter. On closer examination, he found it wasn’t an animal, (or the sky) but a walnut! HIS walnut!!

Wait, what- oh yeah! Twitchy facepalmed his already sore forehead. Of course! Now I remember! 

But then remembered that meant that his plan didn’t work. He couldn’t have his walnuts falling out of trees all the time! 

But then he remembered what squirrels did after they found a buried walnut. 

And He scooped up the walnut and happily munched away.