Laurel Longtail

On a chilly autumn morning squirrels scampered about the Pleasant Valley forest as it was a fine day and preparations for the upcoming winter were needed. Some of the squirrels were more diligent than others, one in particular, Laurel Longtail. She knew that winter could be harsh and took the task seriously, unlike her brothers whom she noticed seemed intent on wasting away the daylight playing tag amongst the trees. Sparing them only one frown of disapproval (which went unnoticed by her siblings), she set about to collect what she needed. One can never have too many nuts, but as she had been industrious in that endeavor, the day's priority was making a warm and cozy nest. Leaves were plentiful, but Laurel was a discerning squirrel and only the best would do. On the forest floor she hopped about the various trees searching for just the right leaves. Some were too brittle; some were too wet; some too small; and well oak leaves were never fashionable. She then spotted a reliable standby, a fallen pine branch with many clusters of needles attached. It would take some time to drag it up to her nest, but pine needles and twigs always make for a comfortable abode. Laurel grasped the branch and started to pull it slowly but surely. However, after she had just barely moved it, a strange sight appeared; the branch had been covering a rectangular case. The case was clearly a human contraption, it had a handle and metal clasps on either side; she knew little of humans but the word "briefcase" came to her mind. She wondered how such a thing could be found so deep in the forest, after all the nearest human settlement had to be at least a hundred trees away. Regardless, it had been there for some time, the outside was battered and the clasps were rusted. Laurel knew her nest needed tending to, but her curiosity got the best of her. She approached the case and studied it for a moment; it looked like there was bottom half and a top half which could be lifted up once the clasps were released. The clasps were indeed rusted and Laurel jiggled one of them. At first nothing happened but then giving it a good yank, the clasp yielded. Moving on to the second clasp, she jiggled it and pulled it but to no success. She took a moment to further examine it and noticed a little hole by the clasp. Wondering what would happen, Laurel took a tiny twig and stuck it in the hole; after wiggling it a bit, the clasp weakly popped open. Laurel was filled with anticipation as she grabbed the top half of the case and started to lift. It took all her strength and she had to stretch as far as she could, but she was finally able to open the briefcase. Laurel was astonished as she gazed upon the contents of the case, she had no idea that humans also collected leaves! She looked back and forth with amazement at twenty bundles of strange green rectangular leaves each wrapped with a band with the word "00.0001$" on it. Laurel took one of the leaves and looked closer at it. She noticed many strange markings on it and wondered if perhaps it wasn't a leaf at all. All the same Laurel was happy with her find, leaves or not, they would be perfect for her home. Laurel labored throughout the morning and afternoon hauling the bundles up to her nest. While removing the bundles, she noticed there was one other thing in the case, a small black notebook. Making one last trip to the briefcase, she looked at the notebook wondering what she could do with it; inspiration struck and she hauled it up to her nest.

When the first snow fell and bitter cold began to bite, Laurel Longtail smiled inside her warm and cozy home, her home with the strange green leaves and little black notebook door.