The Nutty Adventures of Riley the Squirrel

How It All Began

It was a day like any other day in Oakton, a type of day that didn't seem like anything special was going to happen. It was a day like this when ten year old Andrea Johnson was walking home from school with her three best friends Aubry Steppingstone, Kaylie Cooper and Ava Riddel, all who went to the same school as Andrea and who almost do everything together during or after school. Today was Wednesday and the girls were already wishing it was Friday so they can have a lot of fun together instead of working on homework.

Just as they were about to turn a corner, something caught Andrea's eye, something small and furry.

Andrea stopped as she said "Did you see that?"

"See what?" Aubry asked

"That." Andrea said, pushing some garbage aside to see a sight that melted the girls' hearts at once; a tiny little brown squirrel, and judging by how small it was they knew right away this was just a baby squirrel.

"Awww! He's so cute!" Kaylie cooed

"And all alone, baby squirrels aren't suppose to be alone. Where are his parents?" Ava asked

"I don't know, but we can't just leave him like this." Andrea said "He'll die if we don't find a way to take care of him."

"I have an idea," Andrea said "I'll take him in."

She pulled out a plastic container from her backpack and reached out to the baby squirrel, who backed away fearfully

"There there, don't be afraid, we're not gonna hurt you." Andrea said

The squirrel whimpered in fear at the giants before him, even as his stomach started to growl hungrily.

"I think he's hungry." Ava said "What do baby squirrels eat?"

"I have no idea." Andrea said "But I think I have something for him."

She reached into her lunchbox and pulled out a remaining piece of apple from her lunch a few hours ago and said "Taste this."

Curiously and cautiously the baby squirrel reached out and pulled the apple piece close to him before he nibbled on it and then ate it to fill up his stomach.

"He likes it!" Andrea said "Now hop in."

The baby hopped into the container and looked at the girls happily, who fawned over him until they continued on their way home.

Andrea went up the stairs of her apartment home and saw her mother Faith Johnson and her father Howard relaxing on the couch together and watching TV. Andrea went over to them and said "Mom, Dad, look at what me and my friends found today."

"The first flower of spring?" Howard asked

"Nope, a baby squirrel!" Andrea said as she opened the container to show to her parents.

"A what?!" her parents asked in shock

Faith and Howard looked inside to see the baby squirrel, who was playing with his own tail and Howard said "Uh Andrea, why did you bring this little thing inside our house?"

"Look at him, he's an orphaned baby squirrel with no one to take care of him. You always say that nobody deserves a life on the streets so neither does this baby." Andrea said "Can we keep him, please? At least until he grows up?"

Howard and Faith looked at each other before Howard said "Honey, I don't know if this is such a good idea, he might cause a lot of trouble and who knows where this little guy came from."

"But... on the other hand," Faith said "It may teach you a few things about pet care and the responsibilities that come with it. Maybe it's just what we need around this boring little apartment."

"Now that you mention it," Howard said "We're not making much progress with a pet rock so... why not?"

Andrea smiled as she picked up the baby squirrel and nuzzled him against her cheek and he returned the affection by nuzzling her back. Howard and Faith got up from the couch to look at their newest, and furriest, member of their family in delight as the baby chirped at them in wonder.

"Now what are we going to name this little guy?" Howard asked "It can't be anything babyish cause he won't be a baby for long."

"And something that's easy to remember and pronounce." Faith said

"I think I may have one... how about Riley?" Andrea asked happily

"Perfect!" the three said at once.

That night Baby Riley was settled into a nest that his new family had made for him, right next to Andrea's bedside as he purred when she stroked her fingers alone his little body and she said "Don't worry about a thing our dear little Riley, nobody will ever hurt you while i'm looking after you. I'll love you forever."

Baby Riley smiled and curled up in his nest, happy and feeling nice and warm and very safe.

He took one last look at Andrea, who curled up in her bed, slowly falling into a deep slumber before he too fell asleep, dreaming about all the fun and adventures they will have together as they grow and explore their wonderful world without a care in the world.

He believed he and Andrea would always be together forever and ever... but fate had other plans.