The raccoon scampered up the tree onto the branch, chasing the purple butterfly, determined to touch it with his nose. His paw slipped on a patch of moss and he twisted in the air, trying to catch hold of the branch. Tiny claws sliced the air, missing the branch by millimetres and he fell.
The tiny black and white ball of fluff whuffed as it landed in the arms of a boy. The raccoon's eyes were squinted shut, its tail shivering. A few seconds passed and neither made a move.
"Hey," the boy said, "You okay?"
Still shivering, the raccoon opened its eyes and glanced quickly side to side. Nose twitching, it leapt up, first at the boy's shirt, and then the other direction, landing nimbly on the leaves.
"Not going to thank me?" The boy called out as the raccoon dashed into the bushes, tail bobbing wildly. The leaves of the undergrowth trembled. A pair of gleaming black eyes peeked out from the shadows. The boy laughed. "Don't chase flitterbugs up trees next time."
Sara Bareilles - little black dress
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