Gathering the Clans

Before the first rays of the dawn had a chance to rise over the distant horizon, the Clans gathered in the dew-covered grassy meadow underneath a large oak tree.

There had not been a gathering of this size in centuries. As a rule, such gatherings were kept small, with representatives from one or two of the Clans—and they always met under the cover of darkness. But these were strange times. Dark times. Extenuating circumstances called for all the Clans to be present.

If seen, such a large number of their kind would be met with fear and horror. Undoubtedly, efforts would be made to eradicate them. But that was a risk that had to be taken. The stakes were too high not to meet.

The Great Chieftain Redwood—of the same Clan’s name—surveyed the gathered Clans from near the base of the large oak tree. He saw that all were present and accounted for. Redwood couldn’t recall a time in his life when he had seen so many Clans represented. They came from all over the world, summoned by their Great Chieftain’s call.

Redwood’s heart swelled with pride as he looked out over the gathered crowd. Together, they stood united against the growing darkness. Together, they would overcome. They had to. Now that they were all here, their meeting could begin.

For a brief moment, Redwood hesitated as he dwelled on the weightiness of their meeting and what they had to do. Panic flitted through him briefly. What if they failed? No. They had to succeed. They had to. The Squirrel Clans had important matters to discuss.

The world’s survival depended on it.

Redwood stood up in front of the gathered Clans, and the quiet conversation amongst themselves faded away into silence. The representatives of the Squirrel Clans looked to their leader expectantly.

Redwood took in a deep breath, pushing aside his nervous thoughts. “My people,” he began. “Thank you for answering my summons. I know you have all traveled far—and at great risk to your health and safety.”

He paused for a moment to let that sink in. He saw nods from the crowd. Some had crossed freeways and busy roads to get to the gathering. Some of their friends and fellows hadn’t made it.

“You all know full well why I summoned you. I called you here today,” Redwood continued, “because we are now facing a dire threat to survival—not only ours but the very world itself!”

Redwood pointed at the large oak tree behind him as he shouted, “Behold—one of the last of its kind—indeed, the last of its kind in this region!”

“No!”

Cries of muted horror and disbelief moved through the gathered squirrels. One of the younger representatives fainted dead away in fright. His shocked friends held him aloft, fanning his face with a fallen leaf.

“Yes!” Redwood roared over the crowd.

“The humans have callously been ripping their roots from the earth to build their highways and subdivisions, shopping centers, and parking garages! They’re recklessly relentless in their delusional and bloody crusade!

“They take from us our homes, our shelters, and our source of food—all in the name of their so-called progress and advancement of society. Whatever that is. If something isn’t done—and soon—those fools will kill us all!

“I’ve called you here today because the time to act is now! I don’t have an answer for you, but I’m hoping that together, we can decide what the right course of action is. We must decide what to do about this disaster before it’s too late!”

The gathered Clans fell to chattering frantically amongst themselves.

Sheldon—a representative of the Evergreen Clan—shouted out, “The humans have taken our homes—we should do the same to them. See how they like it!”

Some brash squirrels roared in approval. Others, cautious, cried out in protest.

“How exactly do you propose we do that?” demanded Clara—an older member of the Maple Clan.

“With violence!” squeaked Sheldon. “We outnumber them—let’s attack them! It’s the only thing they understand!”

“We cannot match the humans, not with strength—even with all our numbers. They would crush us,” Clara said. “Even if we could, how would that solve anything? Violence begets violence—it only makes matters worse! We cannot stoop to the humans’ levels of depravity. We must be better than them. We must rise above.”

The other squirrels were beginning to listen to her rational wisdom as she stood among them.

“What do you propose, then?” Redwood asked Clara.

It was times like these when he was grateful for the older representative from the Maple Clan. She had a clear and level head. Redwood had turned to her for advice many times before. She hadn’t steered him wrong yet.

The crowd waited for her response.

Clara thought about it for a moment. Then she smiled. She picked up an acorn from the earthen floor. It had fallen from the large tree the Squirrel Clans had gathered under. She held it up for all to see.

“This is how,” she said simply.

“I move that we take acorns and seeds from all our trees and spread them far and wide. We plant them deep in the earth whenever and wherever we can. Any that we don’t absolutely need for our own survival will remain there until they take root and sprout up from the earth, growing into large trees. If humans cut down a hundred trees, we’ll plant a thousand seeds—a hundred thousand seeds. No matter what, we won’t give up.”

“Do you have any idea how long that will take?” sneered one rambunctious squirrel. He still wanted to go the way of violence and bloodshed. It seemed easier. “Longer than any of us will live!”

Clara was unmoved. “Then we’ll raise our children to do the same—and their children after them,” she said firmly.

“We must realize that this isn’t just about us and the problems we’re currently facing. This is about our world and the future generations that will inhabit it. The only question we should be asking ourselves is this—what are we going to do to take care of it?”

Silence fell over the dew-covered grassy meadow. Then, a representative from the Birch Clan raised his paw.

“The Birch Clan stands with the Maple Clan. United.”

One by one, representatives of the gathered Squirrel Clans raised their paws as well, voicing their support for the motion.

The Great Chieftain Redwood felt his heart swell with pride once more. He met Clara’s tearful eye and mouthed his thanks to her. She nodded once. Redwood’s people came from all over. They all had many different trees. They all had many things that made them different—and at times—divided. But in this, they were united. It was beautiful to behold.

Redwood stood in front of the gathered Clans and raised his paws for silence.

“It is decided!” he cried joyfully. “This gathering of the Squirrel Clans is concluded. Now go—we all have much work to do!”

At his command, the squirrels scattered. Each traveled back to their own homes and regions. They were filled with determination and hope. Hope for their people—hope for the very world itself.

As for Clara, she stood beneath the large oak tree a while longer. She still held its acorn between her forepaws. She stared up at the tree and smiled.

“Just wait,” she told the tree. “Someday, you won’t be alone here anymore. I promise.”

Then she, too, left the dew-covered grassy meadow just as the sun began to rise over the earth once more. There was much work to be done.

---