Squirrel-ché # 6

“You’re like a squirrel caught in headlights.”

Everyone has had one of those terrifying moments when they’re driving and they happen upon a squirrel in the road. The frightened squirrel is torn between risking being hit by running or staying put and hoping you dodge him. I was riding in the car with someone the other day and as they swerved to avoid a magnificent little squirrel they yelled, “Stupid rodent.” I was, of course, appalled by their insensitivity and lack of respect for the legendary animal. It was both my burden and privilege to explain to this person the complex decisions that a squirrel faces when they happen upon a car in the road. As they stare into your headlights they realize they have seconds to decide if you’re the kind of person that will swerve. This type of reasoning takes great emotional intelligence. You see, the squirrel isn’t actually caught in your headlights, their staring straight at you, into your eyes. If after analyzing your character a squirrel decides that you aren’t the kind of person that is going to swerve then they must make the next critical decision, which way to run.