I enjoy feeding birds in my garden. About three years ago, a baby chipmunk (花栗鼠) which I named Chip came to this festive display. Over that summer, I watched it 1. The next summer, the chipmunk was back, and I wondered whether it would 2 me to feed it by hand or let me pet it. Before Chip would approach, I'd 3 its favorite food, bend down and keep very 4. I'd leave my open hand 5, unmoving, so the animal would know I wouldn't 6it. I continued doing this for a few weeks.
7, late in that second summer, Chip did show more trust. One day as I 8 a seed with my fingertips, it approached and 9 took the seed into its mouth. It never bit my fingers.
I was happy that Chip and I had made a(n) 10of trust.
After about two months of this 11, I went further. With my index finger, I 12 its back once gently. I'm not even sure Chip felt it, but it didn't 13. I then moved my two fingers slowly and gently over it.14, Chip stayed calm, eating seeds, before running quickly back into the bush.
Today, the chipmunk comes out of hiding when I call its name, and lets me 15 its soft, silky body.
A friend once mentioned that after she 16 a dog, she noticed that her high blood pressure had approached17without medication, and she became calmer and could handle stress better. I think I, too, feel18from my interactions with Chip.
I've also developed a greater19for nature and its creatures and the opportunity to observe, protect and save wildlife. Most of all, I am amazed by the 20of a tiny chipmunk to meet me halfway in trust.
