The tables and chairs had been pushed to the edges of the meadow and were set up in a long row in front of the leaf mountains, awaiting the arrival of the spectators, each of whom would be wearing either a stripey scarf or a fluffy scarf, waving pom-poms, and possibly even singing.

Using some chalk from Old Possum’s junk drawer, the youngsters had drawn lines in the grass to mark the edges of the field, and all the necessary lines and numbers.

It was the last day of the long holiday weekend, and it was nearly time for their annual football game: chipmunks against squirrels — Stripes vs. Tails.

(November 2022)

Story © Jennifer Singleton / Read+Purr

This is another vignette in my ongoing series of Tiny Garden Stories: peaceful 1-minute tales, full of cozy vibes, delicious details, and generous dollops of imagination & whimsy. Click one of the first two buttons below to go to (or back to, if that’s where you fell down the rabbit hole) either the Public Garden archive page or (if you’re a Story Club member) to the Private Garden page. Or click the third button to learn more about my Tiny Garden Stories. Want each week’s featured story delivered directly to your inbox? Subscribe to my Substack.