Welcome! Today, Explora Natura delights you with a new story to share with the little ones at home. Enjoy this new reading brought to you by Explora Natura and ##stayhome.
Gajo the jay and Milla the squirrel
In early autumn, when the days grow shorter and cooler, a multitude of small animals prepare for winter. So that they won't be caught without food when the heavy snowfalls arrive, they gather the fruits the forest offers—acorns, hazelnuts, pine nuts, beechnuts—and, building up a large larder, they hide them underground.
Two of the busiest are Milla the squirrel, who digs in the leaf-covered ground with her paws and, after depositing the acorns, covers them so no one can take them. And Gajo the jay, who, like Milla, hides the acorns by burying them with his strong beak.
“Tock, tock, tock,…” the fruits of the oak tree are falling and they, without wasting a single moment, hurry to collect them and bury them.
Suddenly, something caught his attention. A loud "knock" sounded from under the oak tree by the river's source. If it sounded that loud, imagine how big it must have been!
Milla and Gajo ran and flew as fast as they could to get their hands on such a delicious treat. When they arrived, they gazed at the large acorn. Its skin gleamed, and it still had its characteristic cap. Without hesitation, they both pounced on it. That tasty morsel was a true treasure for the winter.
But, as sometimes happens, they both arrived at the same time and caught the acorn at the same time. Milla pulled on one side with her little hands, while Gajo pulled on the other with his beak.
"It's mine," shouted the squirrel.
Gajo, who could not speak because if he opened his beak he would drop the precious fruit, said no with his wings.
Pulling back and forth, they spent several hours arguing, neither of them willing to budge. How could they possibly lose such a delicacy!
Then, a small voice caught their attention.
"Gentlemen, please!" Ton the mouse said to them. "If you keep this up, winter will come and you'll still be dragging the acorn around. I think you could have a competition, and whoever wins gets to keep it.".
"Okay!" they both said, sounding a little tired.
As the competition proved interesting and close, more and more animals gradually gathered to watch. Mr. Mole, the cicadas, the woodpecker, mice, robins…
Well, to be fair, I think each of you should propose a test.
"I'll start!" said Milla the squirrel. "We can make two piles with twenty acorns each, and whoever buries them first wins!"
They got ready, and when the mouse gave the signal, they began burying them. The squirrel, aided by her little paws, was faster than her rival, who had to make the holes with her beak. Therefore, she was declared the winner of the test.
The mice, voles, and shrews applauded him enthusiastically.
Gajo, a little annoyed, proposed his challenge. –You have to pick an acorn and take it to the top of the holm oak tree across the river.
Ton the mouse gave the starting signal, and before Milla had taken ten steps, the jay flew to the treetop with the acorn in his beak. Now he was the winner. All the birds applauded their friend – “Bravo! You’re the best!”
"Well," said the mouse, "it seems you're tied. We'll have to find another solution. If you agree, we can declare the most beautiful animal the winner.".
The two, who thought they were the most handsome animals in the forest, happily accepted, confident of winning. Besides getting the acorn, they could show off to the other animals.
A cut tree trunk would serve as a stage, as suggested by Ton the mouse.
The first one to go up was Milla – Look at my red hair!
–Oooh! –exclaimed the voles.
–And my wide, curved tail. With it, I can almost fly from tree to tree.
–Aaah! –the dormice gasped.
–Have you noticed my ears? They look like paintbrushes. I think it's clear that I'm the most beautiful animal.
–Yes! –applauded the mice, the shrews and Mr. Mole.
Now it was Gajo's turn, the jay.
–Look at my beak, it's strong and big, and thanks to it, I'm a strong animal.
–Oooh! –The little birds that had gathered in the forest for the competition admired him.
–I have a big mustache, like the great lords.
–Aaah! –exclaimed the oriole, who was applauding from a nearby willow tree.
–And what about the feathers on my wings? They are white, black, and a deep blue.
"Bravo, bravo!" applauded all the birds. The warblers, dunnocks, chiffchaffs…
Suddenly, Milla, the squirrel, cried out –Where is the acorn? Who has dared to steal it?
A high-pitched laugh made them turn their heads towards where Ton, the mouse, was.
"Heh, heh, heh... while you two were competing to see who was the best, your vanity blinded you to how I've been slowly eating the acorn. The time you spent fighting over it could have been used to collect smaller acorns, and now you'd each have a huge pile.".
Milla the squirrel and Gajo the jay learned their lesson. Greed is no good thing. And from then on, they gathered acorns in the forest without bothering each other.
If you enjoyed this, don't forget that Explora Natura has more stories for you that will be published in the coming days. Don't miss out!
Antonio Pestana
Antonio Jesús Pestana Salido (Cabra, Córdoba, 1970) is an Andalusian ornithologist and nature photographer, specializing in birds and the interpretation of the Mediterranean landscape. From childhood, he has been involved in the study and observation of wildlife, and has spent decades exploring the natural areas of Andalusia, especially the Subbética region of Córdoba.
He is a nationally awarded nature photographer, winner of the first prize in the Carl Zeiss nature photography competition (4th edition) with a digiscoping image of a common crossbill, in addition to other recognitions in specialized bird photography competitions.
As a field ornithologist, he has participated in bird monitoring and conservation projects, especially for birds of prey and steppe birds, and has served as provincial coordinator in Córdoba for the Montagu's and hen harrier censuses. He is also president of the Abanto naturalist association, dedicated to the dissemination and conservation of natural heritage.
He is the author of several books on Iberian fauna and popular culture published by specialized publishers, including "Iberian birds in popular culture" and "Iberian diurnal birds of prey in popular culture," works that compile proverbs, beliefs and traditions related to birds in popular culture.
In addition to his work as an author and photographer, he develops outreach and environmental education activities, leading nature outings, giving bird photography workshops and collaborating with educational centers, associations and nature tourism projects.
She regularly works with schools, designing wildlife observation activities adapted for primary and secondary school students. She also collaborates with companies and associations on birdwatching tours, teaches nature photography courses, and participates in the design of natural areas.
