Most human children chased Chakik or could not understand him. Neither was true of Grace.
Chakik meet Grace in the park where he lives with 41 other squirrels, 14 miles north of Detroit. It was a nice park where children played, lots of oak trees grew and a nearby house left out sunflower seeds and cashews.
When the squirrel and the girl first met, they both just sat on the grass and stared at each other. Neither moved a muscle, afraid of scaring the other off. Finally Grace said “hello”. “Chakik” said Chakik. Where most humans just heard a squirrel making squirrel sounds, Grace knew it was an introduction. She smiled and said “Grace.” “hello” said Chakik. Grace was called back to play by her friends and Chakik went back to burying acorns, neither giving any thought to what had just happened.