P l a y f u l   F r i e n d s

Our family outings have almost always meant spending time out in nature, sometimes it's the sea shore or maybe along some quiet logging road in the mountains. One of our favorite spots, when the children were younger, was in the cypress wetlands near dark narrow creeks and rivers of Florida. There we observed many of nature's wonders and watched as animals interacted with each other. Sometimes we watched humming birds feeding among the blossoms of wild vines and wadding birds probing the muddy stream bottoms for snails or mud worms.

On one of our walks, late one summer afternoon, we watched a very comical display between a red shouldered hawk and an otter. Otters can catch fish with ease even in dark water because of their highly developed senses. Hawks usually don't catch live fish but will eat them readily if available. This red shouldered hawk spotted the otter propped up on a log holding a fish in his front paws and was hardly taking a bite. He was watching the hawk jump from one limb to another then down near the otters' log and back up again. After a few minutes of this teasing, the otter very deliberately placed the fish just under the water, still on the log, but where the hawk would have to get his feet wet if he was interested in a free meal. Like a little boy touching his toe in the water to see if it was too hot, he wet his talons several times before he was successful in retrieving the fish. All this time the otter, on the other bank of the stream, observed the hawk's actions with what appeared to be a grin on his face.

What a privilege to be a spectator at such a short distance from these two wild creatures. We would not dare to interrupt this scene because we wanted to watch the ending. When God observes us in our natural lives, what does He see? I hope He finds us loving and working with nature and with our families and friends as we wait for Him.

Burney Tompkins

    - Uncle Burney