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The Astonishing Bravery of Small Creatures
Small bodies, big hearts
I do admire when an elephant defends her calf, or when a lioness lashes out to protect her cub. But what really astonishes me is the bravery of the smallest creatures, who find boundless courage to protect and defend themselves and their offspring.
Courage doesn’t always roar.
— Mary Anne Radmacher
For example: One day, years ago, I was planting some pansies in my window box. Realizing I needed more potting soil, I went into my old garage to scoop some from a large bag I had stored there all winter.
I was surprised to see that the opening of the bag had several layers of old burlap covering the top. I tugged absentmindedly at the cloth and was startled to have the cloth tug back!
What could be in that bag of soil?
More cautiously now, and standing as far away as I could while still tugging at the cloth, I eased the burlap off the bag. Pulling it free, I gazed into the bag. There, staring back at me with dark, frightened eyes was a small field mouse. Clinging blindly to her belly were six pink babies, oblivious to the danger that towered over them.
But their mother knew the danger. She did not cower. She did not run. Instead she held my gaze, not boldly or tauntingly, but with simple bravery.
If ever I experienced inter species communication, it was at that moment. Mother to mother, we stared at each other for a few rapid heartbeats. Then I gently replaced the burlap over the bag, got in my car, and drove off to buy a new bag of soil.
The next day, I could not resist taking another peep at the mother mouse and her babies. But this time when I tugged the burlap there was no returning tug. The little family was gone. Bravery and common sense often do go hand in hand.
Another time, while stepping into the same garage, I discovered a chickadee had flown into the open window and was desperately trying to get out again. I opened…
