The Mountain And The Squirrel
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter
“Little prig.”
Bun replied,
“You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry:
I’ll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track.
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a licensed minister who resigned from the clergy when his first wife passed away a couple years into their marriage. In this poem, a squirrel and a mountain have a quarrel because the mountain feels as though it is more important. Each person has his or her own individual talents, and everyone/everything has its purpose in this world, none greater or less than another. [Source]
Maverick Mist 
What a great message to go with your very cute squirrel.
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Thanks Miriam. 🙂
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Emerson left a wonderful legacy of beautiful writing. Love the cute squirrel. We have so many here but they are in hiding right now.
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The transcendentalist movement with Emerson was one of the best periods for American literature, imo. Squirrels here are sleeping now too. 🙂
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Last year my trees were filled with dreys. This year not too many.
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I read that iguanas were falling out of the trees in Florida because it was so cold this year.
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Yes that did happen. So weird!
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I enjoyed this reading, thank you. I have never seen (or maybe never noticed) the beauty of these amazing colors. Is this a particular family of squirrel?
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Thanks Brenda. These are called a Prevost’s squirrel or Asian tri-colored squirrel. (Callosciurus prevostii).
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Such an inspiring poem by Emerson. Size doesn’t matter it your grit and determination which does.
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Exactly right Megha. 🙂
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Quite different looking than our local squirrels here in Illinois. 🙂
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Same here in Missouri. 🙂
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