The Squirrel & the Storm: Illustrated Folktale
During Covid-19 shelter in place orders I was working on the Google retail team, which was suddenly 100% remote. To foster creativity and connection during this unprecedented time, team leadership asked volunteers to submit original folktales and/or art in response to the pandemic and the themes that were coming up for us. A selection of submissions, including mine below, were printed and bound into a beautiful book that was shipped to all team members.
Once upon a time in a peaceful forest, there lived a Squirrel who loved her cozy home in an old Oak Tree. She had to leave every day to collect food to eat, and was always happy to return, curl up in her nest surrounded by comforts, and rest.
One morning shortly after she had gone out, Squirrel came across Toad, croaking loudly about a terrible Storm that was coming.
“Oh, friend Squirrel!” he cried, “Make haste, make haste! We will all have to stay inside for a long time until the Storm passes by, so we must all collect extra food today!”
Squirrel, already concerned about storing enough food on a normal day, became Frightened. What if she did not save up enough to last through the Storm? She would be Hungry and Sad! She thanked friend Toad and scampered off. She scurried around all day, collecting as much food as she could before it was all gone, until she could barely lift her sack.
On the way home to her Tree, Squirrel came across her friend Tortoise. He was moving at his usual slow pace, but without his usual smile. “Hello friend Tortoise!” she called, “Why are you so sad?”
“Oh, friend Squirrel!” he sighed, “I am so worried about the Storm. I wanted to collect extra food today, but I cannot move very fast. It seems there is not much food left in the forest anymore, and I am afraid I will not have enough.”
Squirrel felt sad for her friend Tortoise. She was still worried about the Storm, but as she looked at her overflowing sack, she thought that perhaps she did not really need so much, and could spare some for her friend. Tortoise was overjoyed when she gave him the food, and Squirrel continued on, her sack and her heart both a little lighter.
As she continued on her way, Squirrel passed by Rabbit’s Burrow. Rabbit was outside, wringing her hands and looking up at the gathering storm clouds. “Hello friend Rabbit!” Called Squirrel. “What troubles you?”
“Oh friend Squirrel!” She cried. “I meant to gather extra food today for the Storm, but it took so long to get all my little Bunnies ready for bed that I fear now it is too late and there will be nothing left.”
Squirrel thought of all the dear baby Bunnies snug in their Burrow but without enough to eat, and felt worried for them. Looking at her still bulging sack, she thought that perhaps she could spare a little more. When she offered Rabbit the food, Rabbit jumped for joy, and thanked Squirrel on behalf of all the Bunnies.
Squirrel was almost home, but her sack was still heavy, and now she worried who else might not have enough to get through the Storm. Suddenly she heard a great yawn, and saw Hedgehog stretching as he came out of his Nest, for unlike Squirrel, he slept all Day and was awake all Night. “Hello friend Squirrel!” He called. “What news from today?”
Squirrel told him of the oncoming Storm, and indeed, great dark clouds were already overhead. “Oh no!” moaned Hedgehog. “You should hurry home, as it is not safe to stay out. I hope I can quickly find some food nearby.”
Squirrel knew there was no food nearby, as she had already collected it all for herself. But now instead of feeling worried, she felt happy as she assured Hedgehog that she already had plenty to share. He thanked her from his heart and wished her well on her way.
Now Squirrel’s sack was much lighter, and so she was able to hurry home before the first fat drops of rain began to fall outside. Snug in her Tree, Squirrel laid out her food, which was still more than enough. “There have been Storms before and there will be Storms to come,” thought Squirrel to herself. “I can rest easy now, knowing that all my friends are alright.” She curled up in her cozy nest and dreamed of the Picnic they would all have together, just as soon as the Sun was shining again.
