The End for Mr Sniffles

The unfortunate sequence of events that led to the death of Mr Sniffles was rather unbelievable.

He had gone across the road to Mr Sweeney’s garden to investigate further on the community of squirrels that had settled in the oak tree there. Mr Sweeney came out to shoo him away but Mr Sniffles, used to the old man by now, just sat on his usual spot on the fence, watching Mr Sweeney wave his arms about. He yawned indifferently and waited until the man had had enough and gone back inside.

Mr Sniffles carefully climbed back down into the garden in search of the squirrels that had caused him quite some concern over the past week. As he explored all the different scents and nooks and crannies of the garden, he also kept his ears pricked up high, listening for any potential inter-squirrel communication. Mr Sweeney meanwhile, was keeping an eye on the cat from the bay window in his front room.

Suddenly a brave squirrel took an ignorant risk and ran across a branch in the oak tree while the cat sniffed the grass around it. Within seconds, in one swift spring, Mr Sniffles was perched quietly on the relatively high branch. The squirrel hadn’t even noticed.

As Mr Sniffles inched closer to his prey, a second squirrel climbed up the tree to join his little friend. This is too easy!

The moment he took the plunge, the squirrels reacted instantly and jumped for their lives towards the hedge that framed the garden. Mr Sniffles’ elegant dive after them went further than he ever imagined and further than the quick-witted squirrels, who were by now out of sight. He had, in his moment of chaotic excitement, unknowingly leapt straight into the path of the 249 to London.

It was unpleasant but it was quick. He went out a hero in action.

As he watched the scene unfold from the comfort of his home, a sly smile curled onto Mr Sweeney’s face. The type of smile that makes your skin crawl. A smile that can only be described as both guilty and indulgent at the same time.