Miss Suzy

By Miriam Young

Pictures by Arnold Lobel

Copyright 1964

“Oh, I love to cook, I love to bake, I guess I’ll make an acorn cake.”

 

Miss Suzy is a little gray squirrel who loves her home in the tip, tip, top of an old oak tree.  She spends her days cooking and cleaning, and at night gazes out at the stars while the wind gently rocks her to sleep.  Shame on the angry gang of red squirrels who break into her house one day and chase her out!  She takes shelter in an attic where, inside a box, she discovers a band of toy soldiers.  Miss Suzy brings the soldiers into her new dollhouse home in the attic and cares for them.   

The soldiers are very happy, and Miss Suzy usually is too.  One night, though, Miss Suzy tearfully tells her new friends about her old beloved home in the tree.  After hearing her tragic story, the brave toy soldiers come to the rescue!  Miss Suzy had cared for them – it was time to return the favor.  Of course, Miss Suzy’s home is recovered from the mean bullies and she could once again enjoy leaving in the tip, tip, top of her tree. 

Miss Suzy’s patience and perseverance in the face of hardship have paid off.  She didn’t let being bullied by that mean gang of squirrels keep her from showing kindness to anyone else.  And in the end, that kindness helped chase the bullies away!