The Indiscreet Hunter and His Intrusive Thoughts

Preston was out following his afternoon routine of finding his dinner.  Preston was a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a native of the T-Bone’s Place vicinity.  As he meandered around hunting, he always repeated to himself, “God said he would feed the birds of the air…. That’s feeding me, baby!” Over the years, songbirds had become his main diet, so he was always a topic of discussion during local meetings. 

As he was flying, something caught his attention. He looked in that direction and saw a baby squirrel had fallen from its nest and was struggling to get back home.  He could already taste the young, tender squirrel. Yum, yum!  He zeroed in on the grub. 

Arthur and Thistlewyn were getting better acquainted, talking about the T-Bone’s Place area and what it offered, when Thistlewyn noticed the baby squirrel struggling and looked around to see if a parent was nearby.  Suddenly, she noticed Preston making a beeline for the little guy.  She heard Preston repeating his hunting chant about the birds of the air, and she freaked out!

As Arthur was getting to the punchline of his joke, she vanished in a puff of glitter dust and sparkles.  She took off at warpspeed and T-boned Preston square in the gut, right before he intercepted his latest meal.

Preston was furious…  He watched as this small “thing with wings” took his supper and returned him to its parents.  She looked at Preston and said, “Ah now, feeding on the babes of the field comes with a moral duty, so it does. Leave the wee babies be!”

Arthur took all this in calmly, and he flew down to the scene of the action to try to soothe his friend, Preston.  Preston was jumping around, ranting about the encounter.  All the while, Thistlewyn was leaning on a rock, listening and seeming to enjoy herself. 

Preston was going on about how smug she looked and she might be a tasty thing, all whilst wondering how she could read his mind! For he truly had no clue he had been speaking his thoughts aloud… Mid-hunt, no less! 

Arthur did his best to settle him down and started asking how his mate and kids were, until the anger had passed.  There was nothing in life that made Preston happier than discussing his family. 

Arthur invited him to come over and meet the newcomer.  Preston refused at first, but he really thought the world of Arthur and agreed to behave himself and refrain from using the tiny creature for a mid-evening snack as a meal-replacement.

Arthur introduced the two and there was an awkward moment of silence.  Then, both began speaking at once... Preston apologized and let her speak.  She apologized for interfering with normal business at T-Bone’s Place, but said, “Ah now, at least let the wee fella live a minute, would ye?”

He agreed, still rubbing his aching ribs from the midair collision.  She then stated she had to go because she had a dinner invitation at the squirrel’s house.  General appreciation for services rendered… And off she flittered into the evening breeze.