And so it did happen one warm summer night a few days back that the sound of crunching gravel woke me from my slumber. As I lay quietly within my bed I listened intently to discern the source of this sound, and my sleep dulled senses scrambled to place it in a context understandable so I could return to my dreams without concern.
But there it was again, like boots on gravel, though not quite. And where would there be gravel but across the driveway? And yet this sound was too close to the window and the more I listened the less it resembled the sound made by any human foot I’d heard a fore.
And in my weary brain thoughts of beasts and man with nefarious intent did spring, and, with the peace of slumber no longer possible, I did reach for my spectacles and torch to identify this intruder and settle the doubt within my breast. To the open window I crept, a thought of Poe and his raven demon on my mind:
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,’ said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore –
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; –
‘Tis the wind and nothing more!’
But nothing appeared to my bleary wondering eyes, so the window I tightly shut and returned to my slumber.
When morning came and the light of day banished nightmares far away, I once again heard a rustling of gravel directly outside my window. Now fully awake and calm of mind, it was clear that sound was no foot of man or bear or raccoon. So to the window once again I moved and lifted up the curtain. Much to my surprise I found myself face to face with nothing nevermore frightening that this:
Twas a star-nosed mole who had fallen into the window well, which apparently contained a healthy layer of gravel. It was shifting a significant amount of gravel, but could not escape the metal walls of the window well.
So, I went out and caught the little critter and relocated him to the wilderness behind the garage, where there was a distinct lack of gavel filled window wells. I have to say, holding one in your hands gives you a serious appreciation for these fascinating subterranean mammals.
Janie's Place 