Henry the Hermits Survival School

Rule #8 Learn to live with nature

Well, this well be our last lesson together. I am so proud Hey  of you guys, you guys have grown to be awesome hermits! But enough of this sad garbage, let's continue with the lesson, Rule #8 Learn to live with nature.

One thing is for sure, you can't go against nature, you try to fight it and it'll fight right back. Which is why today, I am going to try to make peace with the devi-, I mean chipmunk.

On the left side of my cabin, I made an identical 2x2 shack that's about shoulder height to me sitting on a post. I even put the same moss roof on that, I made a tiny nest out of some torn cloth and heck, I even made a window. The wall only went halfway across the length of the shack, so that he didn't have to open a door.

I grabbed some pinecone seeds and some mushrooms, putting them in a tiny bin I made from sticks in the back left corner. I'm hoping he likes this, cause being at war with this guy has been tiring for the old body.

"Oh little chipmunk! I'm sorry if we didn't get along! I made you a house to apologize for it!' I yelled out to the forest.

I made a fire, and started to roast a fish I had caught earlier that day, the fish tasted awesome and I thought the smell would attract him. It was starting to get late and still no sign of the chipmunk, It must've been almost ten and still no sign of him. I got up and went onto my shack and went to sleep.

I woke up the next morning around 5:45, and with a big old yawn and stretch I headed out to the chipmunks house, but he still wasn't there, the food wasn't even touched. I sighed in defeat and went to go pick up sticks for my fire pit so that I don't freeze later this evening.

I bent over to pick up another stick and I heard a chirp. Could it be? I turned around and saw him standing three feet behind me. A stupid smile appeared on my face, my grin was facing each ear. I got onto my knees and reached my hand out towards the little feller.

He crawled up a little closer and looked into my eyes with his beady little black ones. He put his tiny little paws into my giant hand and it almost looked like he was smiling at me. I think this is what you people call a "moment", whatever it was it was a peaceful thirty seconds though.

Right after that moment thing, he bit my hand and ran off into the woods. How could he! I ran after him as he went towards the river, I was gaining on him but he was still managing to stay ahead of me.

This little guy was moving fast, I still can't believe that the wee devil bit me! I thought that everything was going to be fine and that the past was in the past. But some things aren't meant to be.

After about five minutes the feller stopped and pointed his head towards the river. He ran closer to the bank and kept his head pointed at some rocks, almost like a bird dog would do. I jog over to the bank and look closer at the rocks he seemed so interested in.

As I looked closer I saw another chipmunk poke her head out, along with three other tiny heads. Was this his wife and children? Did he want me to save them? If so, from what?

As soon as I asked myself that question, I heard an eagles caw come from above, I looked up and saw a brownish tan eagle circling the rocks, getting closer and closer to his family. If they move from that rock, they're good as gone since there's no cover for them to hide under.

I take my red thick flannel off and kick off my tan military boots and my socks. I lay my hand down on the ground and the little feller climbs into my palm, I set him carefully into my satchel, and I ease into the freezing cold river.

It's early September, and the river was colder than cold, but that didn't bother me. I knew I had to save these guys, I have to try my best at least. Making sure that I had my feet in a stable spot I carried on across the river, the river was about waist deep, making it harder to move.

I kept my satchel above my hat so that it and the chipmunk doesn't get wet. I pulled myself onto the shore, the eagle kept on getting closer and closer to them. I looked up once again, and saw the eagle come down for the kill.

One of the baby chipmunks had rolled out from behind the rock, I threw the satchel towards the rock and dove over the baby. As soon as I covered the baby, the eagle came down and clawed my back. Without the thick flannel I usually have, its claws tore straight through my tan long sleeve shirt.

I swatted at the eagle until he finally gave up trying to go after the baby. I looked around to make sure the coast is clear and I got up to my knees. The baby was shaking and trying to huddle into the rocks, I scoop him up and walk over to the rock where the rest of his family was.

The dad chipmunk was out of the satchel and standing protectively in front of his family. I smile at them and set their child down, he ran over to them and nuzzled their chests. I take my satchel and open the flap for them, the dad went in first and looked back at his family ensuring them everything was fine.

They slowly eased into the satchel and I picked them up and help it above my head so they didn't get wet. As soon as I was across the river I put my stuff back on and head for home, when we got there I opened the satchel and carefully took them out and put them into their new home.

They danced around in their new home and went digging through their food bin finding things to snack on. I got a fire going so that my clothes could dry, I took them off and threw them over some branches near a tree. I throw my backup clothes on, which consisted of military tan cargo pants, and a camouflage shirt.

I decided to name my "family". The dad chipmunk, the one who's been giving me hell all these years is Harry, his wife is Hazel and their kids are Hayden, Harvey , and the runt that I saved is Henrietta (Named after me).

I can tell that things are going to be better from here on out, and that's why you need to learn to live with nature. Henry the Hermit signing out for probably the last time, goodbye young hermits and remember what you learned.