#story for #kids How a playful #skunk transformed a grumpy old lady #bedtimestories #gjwkids #bekindbecool #bedtimestory

Miss Nellie and the Skunk. How a skunk transformed a grumpy old lady. About 25 years ago, a skunk visited my backyard and decided to make himself at home under the house. Later, I decided to write a children's book about it. I once knew a lady, Miss Nellie von Kraut. She had a big fence and seldom came out. Her only joy was raising cabbage. One sunny day, Mr. Drew stopped by on his way. How are you, Miss Nellie von Kraut? Your garden looks nice. All that cabbage and spice. But don't forget to have some fun. I have no time for fun. This army of pests leaves me no rest. Cabbage maggots, stink beetles, multi-legged vermin rushed undercover, wiggling and squirming. Then all of a sudden, something ran past her and made her shake. Down fell the bucket. Down fell the rake. A skunk yelled, Miss Nellie, and fell flat on her belly. She opened one eye and breathed a great sigh, for the skunk had decided to split. At first sign of day, she put on her dress to look at her garden and found a mess. Dirt moved around, holes in the ground, a tunnel under the gate. She fetched her rake, a board and a stake. Stay out, it said on the sign. No skunks allowed. This yard is mine. The skunk, of course, was not aware. Skunks do not read, nor do they care about signs and fences and people's defenses. He was soundly asleep in a furry heap and a gentle plume of skunk perfume under Miss Nellie's house. He woke up from his snooze when Miss Nellie watched the evening news. He got out of bed with a hop and washed his face with a drop from a dripping pipe and his tail for a wipe. The news had put Miss Nellie out. She held her bowl of sauerkraut. And while she in her armchair slept, the skunk into the garden crept. Miss Nellie rose from her chair. She pressed her nose to the window glass and caught a glimpse of the skunk in the grass. But the skunk knew no fright. He strolled through the night. He jumped and chased and sniffed and raced and bounced around without rest. But as the moon faded, the skunk became sleepy and went back home to his nest. I'll have you evicted just as I predicted, she mumbled. She watched the time. And exactly at nine, she called up the county Department of Bounty License and Animal Control. There's a skunk on the stray. Come take it away. I'm sorry we can't catch skunks all day. They also need space to live and play. I suggest you leave them alone, said the lady and hung up the phone. Miss Nellie was mad. She went to the store in a run and purchased a water spray gun, a bag full of party balloons, a funnel and two big spoons. She ran home all the way, then cooked on her stove all day without a break, without a pause. She stewed gallons of tomato sauce. She filled every pot, every pan. Miss Nellie had a plan. It was night and quite late. Miss Nellie sat in wait on the porch near the gate. At her side stood a crate. She had filled each balloon using funnel and spoon with homemade tomato stew. Miss Nellie jumped. The gate was shaking. Someone or something was scratching and scraping right there on the ground, said the skunk with dust on his nose. She grabbed three balloons and rose. She threw a balloon, and just as soon as it landed with a plop, sauce splashed all over his top. Then she added some zest and gave him her best tomato juice shot from the gun. Yahoo! She screamed, What fun! The skunk tried in vain to turn and aim, but as soon as he stopped, another bomb dropped. He dashed about in a shock while his tail dragged behind like a mop. Round and round the yard went the race. The skunk in the lead, red sauce on his face. He finally made his escape at the gate. This skunk will not come back, I bet. I taught him a lesson he won't forget. Then she dropped into bed as if in a daze and fell asleep with a smile on her face. Miss Nellie woke up at half past nine. She felt pretty good. In fact, she felt fine. She fetched her seedlings, shovel and stake, string and hat, gloves and rake. Miss Nellie dug in the dirt on her knees. Then the skunk snuck up from behind like a tease. Miss Nellie felt a tickle on her rear right middle. She felt something furry and let out a wail, for she realized she had the skunk by the tail. The skunk did not spray. He just turned away in search of his lunch. Five beetles, four grubs, three worms in a bunch, two snails and one cockroach with scales. He ate them all up with a crunch. Then he balanced a bug on his nose. While he juggled three snails with his toes. My, I'm beginning to think you are smart as a whistle. I may keep you around. You could be beneficial. Now the skunk was full and toddled around to find a good spot for his neck on the ground. He snuggled among the roots of the willow and curled his tail around for his pillow. Then Miss Nellie had her tea. As she sat and relaxed, a sudden smile came. We have something in common, I must say. People respect us because we may spray. But when we scare others, we never find out the joys of having friends about. And all because of a little skunk that came one day to visit our yard and touched Miss Nellie in her heart.