SHREWS 



ditch the same thing is taking place. By 

 these means shrews like other wee creatures 

 are kept from increasing unduly in numbers, 

 and if to us it seems dreadful that death should 

 be always on the watch for them, it seems almost 

 certain that the small animals enjoy their life 

 to its utmost. Most of our fears and troubles 

 come from looking forward to them. If you 

 do not worry about what is to come, but just 

 enjoy the warm sunshine, the good food, the 

 excitement of the hunt after insect and grub, 

 and the sleep when tired in the cosy nest, life 

 must be very jolly. If fear comes as a shadow 

 overhead, or a rustling in the grass, you freeze 

 for the moment, then, the fright past, go on 

 about your business happy once more. When 

 the end comes it is as a thunder-bolt falling 

 from the skies, and carrying off the victim 

 before it knows that danger was near. The 

 sharp pinch of an owl's beak, the grip of the 

 hawk's claws do their work instantly, so there 

 is no old age, no cruel lingering deaths in 

 Nature, and the strong, the healthy, and the 

 fittest go on with their lives happily. 



(The British Shrews are the Common Shrew, 

 Sorex araneus castaneus, peculiar to Great Britain, 



98 



