Ashley and I had stopped beside Big Rabbit and were gazing intently at the squirrel.

“What do you mean, you can’t help it!?” Big Rabbit was turning red and his long floppy ears began to twitch in time with Squirrel’s tail. I thought it better not to point this out, as I gazed at it, mesmerized by the metronomic rhythm.

“What I said. It looks so good. I can’t help it.” Buck teeth gnawed furiously at the door knocker.

Big Rabbit, at a loss for words, swatted at the small figure which leapt lightly of the knocker and stood staring at us.

“Thank you,” he gasped and Big Rabbit, who had been going back for a second swatt, stopped. He stared fixedly at the squirrel, then demanded, “Who are you?”

“I’m Squirrel.” I’ve come to live in that big oak tree there” He pointed towards the edge of Big Rabbit’s yard. There, towering over the yard stood an old oak tree that provided shade in the heat of summer. A low comfortable hammock hung under its branches; it was Big Rabbit’s favorite resting place in summer and the meeting place for the adventurers during all parts of the year.

“You can’t just move in here like this.” Big Rabbit huffed.

“Why not?” asked Squirrel.

“Because that’s my oak tree!” Big Rabbit exclaimed.

Ashley, who had been silent up until then, said calmly, “It’s not your tree, Big Rabbit.”

Yes, it most certainly is!” Big Rabbit’s voice squeaked dangerously. “Isn’t this my yard?”

I thought his logic unassailable, but Ashley, being made of sterner stuff, was unmoved. “It’s everbody’s tree.”

Big Rabbit huffed and puffed some more and finally he said with ominous calm, “Is this not my yard?”

Ashley nodded agreably and then added, “But it’s everybody’s tree. Laura” (Laura would be me, dear reader, and I’m pleased to meet you as well, I’m sure) “and I sit under it in the summer for tea and Owl visits it and now Squirrel,” Ashley pointed to Squirrel with a broad flourish and Squirrel bowed. “is going to live there. See—it’s everybody’s tree.”

Where this would have ended is anybody’s guess. Big Rabbit in a temper can be a force to be reckoned with. But Ashley’s explanation was followed hard on by Squirrel yelling, “Yay !” as he chased his big bushy tail three times in a circle and then stopped, panting lightly.

“What do you do for fun here?” were his next words.

Ashley smiled and said “We’re Fairy Hunter’s Ink.”