Jackson waved hello to a small squirrel on the park bench. The squirrel froze, its tail twitching like a fuzzy question mark.
Jackson tiptoed closer with a cracker, but the squirrel zipped up the oak tree. Leaves rustled loudly, startling a blue jay nearby.
He spotted a fluffy rabbit near the flowers and clapped softly. The rabbit’s nose wiggled rapidly, sniffing the air for crumbs.
Jackson sat cross-legged on the warm pavement and broke his snack. He placed one piece quietly on the ground. Dust motes danced in the sun.
Suddenly, the squirrel dropped from the branch onto Jackson’s knee! Jackson held very still, watching the creature nibble the other cracker half.
Jackson smiled wide and gave a tiny, silent wave. The rabbit and squirrel paused their eating to look right back at him in the golden light.