Being a raccoon isn't easy...

There are cats, other raccoons, and these interesting creatures. They come in and out of their boxes doing tasks, babbling to one another waving their hands. One of them even sits there with a smoking stick, staring at me and my children. The elders had said to us as youngsters - knee high to a grasshopper - stay away from the two legged giants, they trap our kind in cages and mercilessly slaughter us at will.

But I was curious.

Our family was beginning to thrive

The two legged creature seemed docile, at least docile enough. I wondered if there could be any gain from this menacing mammoth. My family could use some extra food storage for the coming winter. A raccoon knows to always prepare ahead, even in times of prosperity.

The creature was sitting there

Just holding his smoking stick. His eyes focused in on me, as if he wanted to read my thoughts. I wondered, did he think just as I did? Did he ponder the meaning of his own existence? Most likely not, these creatures seemed focused on just a few odd duties. That possible gain came back to mind, and I wondered....can I approach him.

I eased upon him, raising up to mimic his type of stature

We stood there eye to eye

I wasn't sure what the immense being was thinking. With his smoking stick in hand, he pulled out the "apparatus". This was a foreign object, a new ball in the game. With a flash, the mini entity beamed a light through the dark night. This intrusion to our interaction was enough for me, and I had to retreat.

I know something is there, something great. I feel it in my raccoon bones.

This isn't over stalk creature....