Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary (known as Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Wicked Bestiary outside the United States) is a 2010 compilation of witty, animal-centered short tales authored by memoirist and humorist David Sedaris. Released by Little, Brown and Company, this 176-page volume presents a series of fables featuring anthropomorphized creatures.
Rather than assigning individual names, Sedaris identified the characters solely by their species—such as 'chipmunk' and 'squirrel'—to highlight their familiar traits and simplify the narrative. In an October 2010 conversation with The Washington Post, Sedaris clarified:
Had I written, "Phillip and Amanda had been dating for two weeks when they ran out of things to talk about," I would have needed to provide extensive background. However, since everyone recognizes what a squirrel and a chipmunk look like, I phrased it as, "The squirrel and the chipmunk had been dating for two weeks when they ran out of things to talk about."
Drawing inspiration from South African folklore that features talking animals, Sedaris devoted two years to crafting 25 stories, eventually choosing 15 for inclusion to maintain a high standard.
Stories
Sedaris has mentioned that the character in "The Vigilant Rabbit" was modeled after a TSA agent who required him to remove his vest.
At least half a dozen stories have been broadcast on This American Life, where Sedaris frequently contributes. Some prominent episodes are: - "The Cat and the Baboon," which addresses gossip within the hospitality sector - "The Cow and the Turkey," portraying barnyard animals engaging in Secret Santa exchanges - "The Squirrel and the Chipmunk," focusing on an unattainable romance - "Hello Kitty," illustrating predator-prey dynamics within an Alcoholics Anonymous prison meeting - "The Parrot and the Potbellied Pig," about achieving contentment despite societal pressures - "The Sick Rat and the Healthy Rat," exploring how optimism can influence well-being