Homeless squirrel

The forest shadows were cold, but the gnawing hunger in her stomach was worse. For days, she had scavenged for scraps, her tattered shirt offering little warmth. Desperate, she spotted a half-eaten sandwich discarded near the park playground. Before she could grab it, a group of local kids surrounded her, shouting and jeering. They didn’t see her desperation, only a strange target. They kicked and shoved her, ignoring her soft cries until she managed to scramble away into the safety of the trees. Trembling and weak, she collapsed onto the dirt path. Gently, she touched the stinging bruise on her cheek and the fresh bandage across her nose. The tears flowed freely now, blurring the green leaves, as she wondered when she would feel safe, or full, again.