Every nut farmer knows that Kyrandian squirrels are vicious. A particularly wily one had outwitted Alan for years. Too clever for any trap, too cautious to eat poison, his mocking chatter rang through the canopy.

One time, Alan had this squirrel cornered on a high branch. There was nowhere the varmint could escape. Victory was at hand. In his bloodlust, he accidentally kicked the ladder he needed to exit the tree to the ground. Concentration broken by his mistake, his adversary seized the chance to jump over Alan’s body. Lacking his opponent’s grace, Alan was trapped with no easy way down.

That day, Joyce’s friend had signed her up to go nut picking. Disappointed in the quality of the pecans she saw in the first few rows of trees, Joyce ventured deeper into the grove. The treetop battle caused many pecans to fall. One landed on her head. Looking up, she saw Alan.

Joyce put the ladder back up against the tree. Alan escaped and they started talking. Today, we celebrate their marriage. The squirrel is not invited.