Sweet Skunk

Otis the skunk lives in the Wacky Waldorf Woods.  He has an attitude that you can literally smell miles away.  He doesn’t have too many friends because of this problem.  He gives the look of not caring yet it really bothers him.  He just doesn’t know how to change his stinky attitude problem.1

Peter the possum lives in the same woods as Otis.  He just lives a few trees down from him.  He constantly keeps his windows shut so he doesn’t have to smell Otis.  Peter is friendly and outgoing just as long as you don’t cross him.  He can be mean and vicious if he feels threatened.2

Last but definitely not least, there is Prickelus the porcupine.  She is a very prickly animal that lives across the way from Peter.  Covered in needles to protect herself from anyone getting too close.  Unfortunately this makes it hard for people to approach her.  Causing  her to do things by herself that would be so much more fun with others.3

Peter was walking through the woods one glorious morning.  He started to take note of the things that he saw...or lack of.  He realized that Otis and Prickelus, as a rule, keep to themselves.  Never joining in the games and picnics that take place in the woods.  Peter silently decides to get to the bottom of this.4

Peter walks up to Otis’s house and gingerly knocks on the door.  Otis comes to the door, shocked to see Peter standing before him.  “Can I help you with anything?” says Otis in a very unfriendly voice.  “Hi, I'm Peter the possum” replies Peter.  “Yeah, so what..” Otis replies.  “How are you on this glorious spring day?” Peter says cheerfully.  “Look I really don’t have time for this chit-chat so if you could just tell me what it is you have disturbed me for” Otis says in all but a shout.  “I was just curious as to why I never see you at the games and the picnics that go on in the woods” replies Peter.  Otis lowered his head and frowned, “No one likes to have me around cause they say my attitude stinks”.  5

Peter ponders this a moment before saying anything.  Looking at Otis with a smile on his face, he says, “I would like to kindly thank you for your time and I would like to ask you not to plan anything this evening. I have a surprise for you so please be ready for me to pick you up at sundown”.  Without waiting for a response Peter runs off.  He thinks to himself, one down and one to go.6

He looks both ways before crossing the road to pay Ms. Prickelus a visit.  Peter cheerfully bounces up to her doorway, with a huge smile on his face.  Just as he did at Otis’s house, he gingerly knocks on Ms. Prickelus’s door.  Greeting her with a warm smile and a paw out to shake when she answers the door.  Ms. Prickelus looks at Peter strangely but shakes his paw.  Before she could get a word out, Peter starts right in.  “Hello, I'm Peter, the friendly possum in the woods. I have noticed that you have never come to any of the picnics or games that are held in the woods. I'm curious as to way that is.”  7

Taken aback by what Peter just said, the needles slowly stand up on her back.  Seeing her nervousness, Peter says in a soothing voice, “I did not mean to frighten you. I just wanted you to know that I have noticed you don’t come and I was curios as to what the reason was.”  She says in a low voice, with her eyes lowered,  “No one would play with me even if I did show up. You see every one is afraid of me because of these needles on my back. They are my defense mechanism.”  Peter once again ponders the answer to his question.  8

Looking up with the widest smile ever he says, “ I want to thank you for your time and I ask that you don’t plan anything for tonight. I just ask that you be ready by sundown for me to pick you up”.  Without waiting for a response, he bounces back down the driveway.9

Back to his house he rushes.  Peter begins to prepare for a little party at his house.  He cleans, dust, sweeps, mops, and waxes everything.  He hangs up balloons and banners.  He has a whole selection of music and movies.  He'll even order pizza he decides.  He already has soda and ice cream on hand.10

Finally everything was in order, including being suited in his best party clothes.  He walks down to Ms. Prickelus’s place with flowers in hand.  He walks slowly and surely up the driveway.  He knocks on the door and waits patiently for her to answer.  Ms. Prickelus comes to the door in a lovely lavender sundress and a bow in her needles.  Handing her some flowers he says, “My, Ms. Prickelus, you look quite lovely this evening, are you ready to go?”  Shyly she says, “Thank you for the compliment Peter, you look quite dashing yourself. I am as ready as I will ever be.”11

Smiling he says, “I just have one more stop to make”.12

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Arriving a few minutes later at Otis’s, Peter and Ms. Prickelus walk up the driveway to knock on his door.  Otis answers right away. Looking quite spiffy in his blue jeans and white t-shirt.  Ms. Prickelus was the first to compliment him on his look, making Otis blush.  Locking his door before leaving, the three head back to Peter’s house. 14

Stopping just outside of Peter’s house, Otis finally asks what it is they are doing here.  Smiling brightly Peter replies, “We are going to have us a party tonight. I have pizza coming. There’s even soda, music, movies, and ice cream inside.”  Stunned at the answer, in unison, Otis and Ms. Prickelus ask “Why are you doing this?”  Surprised and puzzled Peter furrows his eye brows and says, “Because you're a part of these woods too and you are more than welcome to the games and picnics and I wanted to show you that by having a small, intimate party.”15

Ms. Prickelus begins to cry, and in between sobs, says “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me” Otis nods his head in agreement.  Peter simply says “It doesn’t matter that you have needles that help protect you, or that you might smell a little off when someone scares. We are all family here in the Wacky Waldorf Woods and we need to start treating each other like that.”16

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Moral of the story18

Sight and smells of someone or something should never keep us from treating others with kindness. Nor should it keep us from socializing with them. Just because someone has a different defense mechanism then you, doesn’t make them any less of a person.19