An Account with Nature by Dallas Lore Sharp
The narrative explores the relationship between a farmer and the chipmunks inhabiting his land, highlighting the unexpected benefits and challenges they present. Initially viewed as common nuisances, the chipmunks reveal their value by consuming pests like June-bugs, prompting the farmer to reconsider their role in the ecosystem. As the seasons progress, the chipmunks become increasingly familiar, engaging in playful interactions and stealing strawberries from the farmer's garden. This leads to a conflict between the farmer's desire for his crops and his growing appreciation for the chipmunks' presence. Despite the farmer's frustrations over lost berries, he acknowledges the chipmunks' charm and utility, recognizing that their antics and companionship enrich his experience of nature. The narrative reflects on themes of coexistence, the complexities of farming, and the balance between human desires and the natural world. Ultimately, the farmer learns to embrace the chipmunks as part of his environment, valuing their contributions while accepting the inevitable losses that come with cultivating the land. The story concludes with a sense of harmony, as the chipmunks prepare for winter, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all creatures.
By Dallas Lore Sharp · First published 1920 · Genre: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Adventure · 3,311 words
First lines
THERE were chipmunks everywhere. The stone walls squeaked with them. At every turn, from early spring to early autumn, a chipmunk was scurrying away from you. Chipmunks were common. They did no particular harm, no particular good; they did nothing in particular, being only chipmunks and common, until one morning (it was June-bug time) I stopped and watched a chipmunk that sat atop the stone wall down in the orchard. He was eating, and the shells of his meal lay in a little pile upon the big flat stone which served as his table.
What this Textopian page supports
An Account with Nature is listed on Textopian as an essay by Dallas Lore Sharp, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Dallas Lore Sharp
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Adventure, Biography, Environmental Literature
- Length: 3,311 words
- Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Account with Nature by Dallas Lore Sharp
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
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- Wild Life Near Home by Dallas Lore Sharp
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Genres
- Nature Writing — As the title suggests, the book is primarily an exploration of the natural world written in an evocative, imaginative style.
- Non-Fiction — The book represents the author's personal experiences and observations, thus fitting into the non-fiction genre.
- Adventure — The author's explorations and wildlife encounters can be categorized under adventure.
- Biography — The book recounts the author's personal experiences, thus has elements of biography.
Tags
nature · environment · wildlife · outdoors · nature writing · conservation · landscape · flora · fauna · ecosystem · natural history · exploration