The Beautiful Assassin
The sun had risen high in the sky, but the little pine squirrels were still lazily asleep at home. Their mother, returning from foraging, rushed back and shouted loudly at the sleeping babies:
“Get up, my babies! Your pine tree grandpa has contracted ‘pine needle blight,’ hurry and help save it.”
Awakened by their mother’s call, the little pine squirrels rubbed their sleepy eyes and jumped out of bed, asking with curiosity, “What’s ‘pine needle blight’?”
“Pine tree grandpa is covered in pine needle blight, those needles are densely packed around it like spider webs, preventing it from breathing in any fresh air. I think it’s in danger and getting weaker. Hurry to help by chewing off those needles. Quick, you go first, I’ll be there after I tidy up,” said the mother urgently.
Without hesitation, the little pine squirrels ran towards the old pine tree, swinging their fists and gritting their teeth, “The pine needle blight is so wicked, we must bite them fiercely and save Grandpa pine tree!”
However, when they reached the old pine tree, the little squirrels didn’t seem to find the detestable, green pest they were looking for. Even after circling the tree several times, they still couldn’t find it.
By now, the old pine tree was weakened by the blight, barely able to breathe, let alone respond to the squirrels’ calls.
Thinking Grandpa tree was just sleeping, the squirrels lost some of their fury, and even found themselves admiring the old pine tree.
“Look, after just a few days, Grandpa’s branches are covered in ‘beards’,” said one squirrel, running over to gently stroke the “beards.”
“No, that’s not beards!” argued another squirrel, squinting, “those are green veils swaying in the wind. Who used this soft green veil to dress up Grandpa so beautifully?”
Listening to the squirrels’ discussion, the old pine tree realized that they were young and didn’t recognize the true nature of the pine needle blight. So, it summoned all its strength to intermittently say, “No, these are not my — beards, nor are they — green veils, they are — the wicked — pine needle blight.”
After catching its breath, the old pine tree continued, “They’re causing me to be unable to — reach sunlight, making it difficult to — breathe. Quickly, help me — remove them from — my body, quickly!”
The heartfelt words from the old pine tree surprised the little squirrels.
They asked in disbelief, “Grandpa, are you mistaken? How could these beautiful pine needles harm you?”
“It’s you who are mistaken. While they may look beautiful on the outside, they are wicked inside. Otherwise, why would people call them ‘beautiful assassins’?” gasped the old pine tree, then added after a pause, “If you — delay any longer, it won’t be long before I succumb — to malnutrition and my leaves fall off, withering and dying.”
Shocked by the old pine tree’s words, the squirrels no longer hesitated. They quickly jumped onto the tree trunk and branches, biting off the pine needle blight hanging on the old tree.
Once the blight was removed, it fell to the ground, sighing despondently, awaiting its inevitable death under the scorching sun. Freed from the blight’s encirclement, the old pine tree stretched its limbs and took a few deep breaths, feeling relieved all over. As for the squirrels?
After a tense battle, they were sweaty and exhausted, but the joy of victory made them forget their fatigue and thirst. “Are you tired? Let’s eat something,” said Grandpa pine tree, taking out many large pine seeds. “My treat, to reward you.”
“Thank you, Grandpa,” said the little squirrels shyly.
“Oh, don’t be polite with me. You saved my life. Didn’t I also forget to thank you?” Grandpa pine tree said, then closed his eyes peacefully and fell asleep.
With so many large pine seeds, the squirrels suddenly remembered they hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. As they were about to sit down and eat, they noticed a beautiful round table under the pine tree, with a red tabletop adorned with many yellow and white dots.
The straight legs of the table were covered with a thick and large apron, making it look beautiful. What’s more, around the round table were several matching round stools, like a dining set arranged for the little heroes. The squirrels were overjoyed, saying, “With such beautiful furniture and such delicious food, it feels like a luxurious restaurant! Wonderful.” They then happily placed the big and fat pine seeds on the “dining table,” paying no attention to the warm mucilage on the table surface.
The meal began, with the squirrels eating the pine seeds covered in the mucilage on the table with great enjoyment, laughing and joking. Suddenly, one squirrel couldn’t help but shiver, its teeth chattering uncontrollably, followed by the others shaking involuntarily.
After a while, they all danced uncontrollably. Just as the squirrels were spinning around in dizziness, Mother squirrel arrived. Seeing her babies’ antics and the pine seeds on the “table,” she immediately understood. She shouted in alarm, “How could you put the pine seeds on the slime mold? This slime mold is highly toxic. What should we do?”
Mother squirrel’s panicked shouts woke up the sleeping Grandpa pine tree. Opening his eyes, he was also shocked. Regretting his negligence, he slapped his head and said, “It’s all my fault for not warning them in advance not to approach these toxic flies (slime mold)! Alas, I’m getting more and more confused as I get older.” But, being much older, he quickly calmed down and said to the frantic Mother squirrel, “Don’t panic, quickly take them to the hospital for treatment, there may still be time.”
The old pine tree’s words reminded Mother squirrel, who hurriedly took the little squirrels to the hospital.
Watching the squirrels go, the old pine tree shook his head with mixed feelings, saying, “Alas, these poisonous things are truly despicable. They dress themselves up so beautifully, and the more beautiful they are, the more easily they can lure people into harm, making it impossible for you to guard against.”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
