My son and I often go to one of our favorite trails in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to observe wildlife. Most of the time we are fortunate enough to see many little animals and birds building their homes under logs, rocks, nests, and holes in the trees. They pick out the safest place they can get to raise their families and keep them safe from their enemies. To our disappointment though, many times we are spotted by a little squirrel like animal with stripes on its back and only 6-8 inches long. These are chipmunks, and will alarm the whole forest that we are there with their very loud whistle. Soon they seem to know we are not going to harm them and they continue gathering seeds and soft grasses to build nests and store food in an underground burrow. Over the summer and fall they can store up to a half of a bushel of seeds and nuts to take them and their families through the long winter. They work very hard all summer and fall to be able to live underground all winter with plenty of food and warm nests where their babies will be born and raised. Solomon in the Bible says for us to observe the animals to learn lessons for our lives. Jesus also taught many lessons from nature. Why don't we spend some time learning form God's Second Book.
- Uncle Burney ("The Builder" May, 2001)
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