I was walking through campus today, and down in the eucalyptus grove I saw a group of boys throwing things at a target. I couldn't really see what they were throwing at, but they were at the edge of the grove, aiming towards Strawberry Creek, and it didn't seem there should be anything worth hitting over there.
As I got closer I saw they were throwing at a squirrel. There were several boys - maybe 6-8 of them, around 12-14 years old. They seemed very caught up in the moment, not really thinking about what they were doing to this poor creature. So I said something.
"Guys, what are you doing?" I went into swimming teacher mode. I wasn't a parent; I wasn't a pal. I struck a tone of authority somewhere in the middle. A tone that doesn't make me a hardass, but that kids take seriously anyway. As they did here, because rather than ignoring me or telling me to fuck off, at least a few turned around and answered me. "Are you throwing stuff at a squirrel???" I asked again.
A few of them put up a weak defense. There had been a big crash right before I got there and I thought they'd thrown a brick. "It wasn't a brick - we're just throwing acorns," they responded.
"Yeah, well, I don't think that squirrel is enjoying you throwing acorns at it either."
After the moment had passed I thought of better things I could have said. But I don't think it matters. I think what does matter is that I had bothered to call them on their behavior at all. I imagine there were some kids in that group who really think there's nothing wrong with throwing stuff at an animal. But I think for those kids who had just gotten swept up in it, having someone stop to call them on their behavior probably made a difference. It was a big deal for a bystander to stop. There were other people passing by right then and none of them did, except me. In fact, as I began talking to them the other people that had been in the area suddenly vanished, leaving me to deal with the encounter alone.
So I hope that my having interfered will help puncture that bubble of adolescent immunity lots of kids build up around them, making them more inclined to think these things through and realize that what they decide to do matters. And that when they decide to do things that aren't ok, people will care. And that throwing things at an animal is definitely not ok.
Anyway, by now the squirrel was able to run away and I moved on. But word must have gotten out about my good deed among the local wildlife. Because later in the afternoon, while I was walking on the fire trail to Strawberry Canyon, I passed by a skunk. Who, despite ample opportunity, did not spray me.
I'm sure there's a connection.