Something went, "Bap!"

One summer day, Min was following Tamias to the garden.

Right behind Min, something went, "Bap!"

Min spun around and said, "What was that?"

Nobody answered. Min saw the gravel driveway, with Douglas-fir needles, a few salal leaves, and no humans.

Right beside Min, something went, "Bap!"

Min jumped and said, "Who did that?"

Nobody answered. Min looked at the salal bushes.

Right in front of Min, something went, "Bap!" and a Douglas-fir cone appeared on the ground. It was hard and green and a little bit pitchy.

Min said, "Who threw that?"

Min looked at Tamias.

Tamias was watching. It wasn't throwing anything.

Right beside Min, another Douglas-fir cone went, "Bap!" on the driveway.

Min said, "Who dropped that?"

Min looked up and saw a Douglas-fir branch with green cones, and green needles, and no humans.

Right behind Min, another cone went, "Bap!" on the driveway.

Min said, "Who is dropping Douglas-fir cones on me?"

Min looked at Tamias. Tamias wasn't dropping any cones. It was smiling, and looking waaaaaay up.

Min walked over to Tamias, and looked waaaaaaay up.

On a high, high branch of that Douglas-fir tree, Min saw lots of green cones, and a squirrel!

The squirrel bit the stem of a cone, and the cone fell waaaaaay down, and went, "Bap!" on the driveway.

Min said, "It was a squirrel! A squirrel was dropping Douglas-fir cones!"

Then we both laughed, and held hands, and walked to the garden together.