Smart Animals
For these creatures, the world is a fascinating place
Saluting Seal JULIE KING
Every so often, I take myself for a relaxing drive just to get out of my four walls. On this particular morning I had driven to Eagle Bay, near Busselton in Western Australia. I was sitting in the warmth and comfort of my car sipping a muchappreciated coffee on a cold, blustery winter day and watching the ocean.
The rugged coastline was spectacular with white foamy waves crashing into the rocks. Suddenly, the most majestic fur seal appeared from nowhere. I almost had to close and re-open my eyes to realise what it was that I was witnessing.
The black, shiny, blubbery mammal playfully clambered up the rocks until he reached the highest point right in front of me. There he stretched his nose high in the air, saluting to the skies. It was as if he was bestowing gratitude to the universe for his wonderful life of freedom. I thought to capture the image on my phone, but I was transfixed and couldn’t take my eyes from him. I was utterly connected to him in those precious moments, where nothing else mattered or even
existed apart from the two of us. I could feel my whole self soften and felt warmed, uplifted and free all at once, because of him.
The next thing my beautiful friend slid down from his position and back into the ocean as if enjoying the thrill of a waterslide. I think he knew very well I was watching him. The memory will stay with me forever.
Squirrel Takes a Stand DILINI PUNSARA PANAPITIYA
We have a small wooden board suspended on a guava tree in our back garden to feed some of the parrots and squirrels that populate our neighbourhood. They visit in the morning and evening to see if we have put out any leftover rice or fruit, and loud screeches can be heard if the board is empty.
The squirrels are usually the most unassuming of the creatures that visit, while the parrots are the bossiest. Sometimes, one of the squirrels will hide in a flowerpot that hangs from the tree. He looks adorable standing on his hind legs, holding up a lump of rice as big as himself and eating it, his mouth working at great speed. The parrots, however, never let the poor squirrel eat to his heart’s content, often pecking at him and chasing him away. One day in July last year, something quite unusual happened. A parrot went for the usual attack, but the squirrel, instead of backing away, thrust his head towards the parrot in defence. The parrot surrendered immediately, quickly moving to the opposite end of the board before the two of them went on with the feast. The little squirrel proved that nobody can mess with him and to this day he continues to stand up to those bossy parrots.
Come Rain or Shine MRS E. CLARK
My husband Sidney and I travelled to England in 1980 to see his sick mother and stayed for six months. My in-laws had a black and white collie named Tassie that I would take for walks along the bridle path every day.
One day, however, it was pouring with rain. Nevertheless, the dog sat eagerly at the door waiting for me to take him out for his usual walk.
I looked at him and said, “I’m not going out in this weather.” He trotted off down the hallway and came back with one of my Wellington boots, which he dropped on my foot. Did I go for the walk? Of course I did!
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