A Tale of Old Friends and Regrets

Once upon a time, there was an old Grandma skunk, known just as Miz Skunk. She had lived a long and relatively happy life in the woods near where she was born. She had many grandchildren and a few living children. Her memory was not as good as it once was, and she had to ask “What’s your name again sweetie?” more than she ought to.

One day she was walking to the store when she ran into an old friend, Miz Possum. Miz Possum said “Nice day isn’t it Miz Skunk?” and Miz Skunk said “Yes it is. Yes it is. What’s your name again sweetie?”

Well, Miz Possum was a bit put out by this. After all, they had been friends for years and years, and the thought that Miz Skunk didn’t even know who she was really made her mad. She just “Humphed” and waddled off. “Humph? That’s a funny name” said Miz Skunk, and continued on to the store. All her groceries fit in a small bag (Old Skunks don’t eat all that much) and she started on home. Along the way she took the wrong turn and got so completely lost that she was going around in circles. A couple of youngsters saw her and started to laugh. “Silly old Miz Skunk” they called. “Where you going Miz Skunk” they called. Miz Skunk heard the derision in their laughter and just curled up in a ball and cried. “I am LOST!! LOST!! I can’t find my way home and I am frightened.”

One of the kids ran off to get Miz Possum to try to help. When she heard about Miz Skunk, she thought “Lawd, that could be me. I must help her quickly.” She waddled quickly to the place where Miz Skunk lay curled up and said “Miz Skunk? Miz Skunk? I am here now and everything will be fine Miz Skunk? Miz Skunk?” But Miz Skunk didn’t move. “MIZ SKUNK!” cried Miz Possum. “MIZ SKUNK TALK TO ME!” But Miz Skunk was gone. Her heart had given out. And Miz Possum never got a chance to tell her her name.

Image: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2369/2013784377_29f8de2fb7.jpg