The Trap

“Done!” Shawn exclaimed as he placed the piece of cheese in the center of the chair. The nine-year-old decided this was his best trap ever. He stood back and marveled at the complexity. Once the squirrel or whatever kind of animal went for the cheese he placed on the rocking chair, the chair would rock and the old shoe wedged in the side would fall out. The rope attached to the shoe would then pull on the bucket of water he was using as a counterweight, making the water spill out. The rope would fall and catch whatever waited on the chair. It was pure genius. Shawn wasn’t sure what he’d do with the squirrel if he caught one, but it would be pretty awesome.

“Hmm, better test it out.” Shawn sat on the chair and rocked it. The shoe moved, the water spilled, and the rope caught him right around the neck.

“Awesome!” Shawn yelled. He went to take the rope off, but it became stuck once he pulled it to his chin. He struggled with it until his mother came outside to check on him a few minutes later.

Relieved, Shawn called out, “Mom, I’m stuck!”

Shawn’s mother laughed. There was no way the crazy contraption Shawn pretended to be stuck in worked better than any of the other “traps” he’d put together. “Just gnaw your way through!” she responded jokingly and went back into the house.

Shawn’s jaw dropped in disbelief. He couldn’t believe his mom wouldn’t help him. He worked the rope into his mouth and began gnawing. Luckily, the fibers began to give away. This was going to take quite awhile though. Squirrels chattered in the branches above him as he worked. Shawn was pretty sure they were laughing at him.

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