It is the middle of summer. I have scars that line my body. They’re new. I fought hard for our burrow. Many Pikas had their eyes on my territory. It has lots of food and shelter. But I won. I am strong and quick, though I am small, and I chased them all away. Unique is the proud. I am too, for we have 3 small pika babies. However, we are soon to have more, in hours possibly. We are both of kind character (and my birth story does have an effect on this). We do not wish to abandon the babies. I am standing on a rock and keeping lookout while I think. I see movement on my territory. My body is tense. It is a Pika. On MY land! I rush at it to chase it off. Moments away I recognize it. I stop.