The early bird sees the raccoon

I was getting my bike out of the garage this morning when I spotted the biggest cat I’d ever seen.

It was across the street, moving over the lawn in a bouncy fashion.

Then I looked closer. It wasn’t a cat. It was a raccoon.

Now I like raccoons. Would never harm one. But I found myself thinking about the newly arrived chickens in residence next door. I would hate for anything to happen to them.

The raccoon, which was now watching me from a few feet up a tree, seemed to regard me with suspicion.

So I said hello and waved.

Then I returned my attention to my bike. When I looked up, the raccoon was gone.

I can’t wait to tell the little boys who live there about what I saw.

I don’t think I’ll mention it to the chickens.