Not based on true events

I replied to the Olive-backed Pocket Mouse that it was me, here in the sundew, and he came timidly to inspect. “ Y-you scared me, back there,” said he as he snuffed at the leaves. I immediately replied that I was scared myself: scared of never coming free. “ So could you please help?” said I in conclusion. For a moment, the pocket mouse put his head to one side in thought, and when he righted it again, and piped: “ But how?” Evidently, my companion was not the brightest hero in mind, but I suggested snipping off the leaves to which I was attached with his slender teeth. “ Well, I guess so,” was the reply, and the mouse began his labours. Crunch, crunch went the little teeth. Nibble, nibble went the tiny mouth. Twitch, twitch, twitch went the funny nose. At times, though, there came an “Ow! Ow! Ow!” from me when his teeth failed to remain upon the sundew. My freer would then sheepishly but profusely apologize, and in this manner, I soon was captive no more, and my captor was three leaves less in foliage. My rodent friend now drew back to look upon me with what I hoped would be satisfaction, but it was definitely not that. In fact, the only emotion I could read on his countenance was puzzlement as he inquired: “ Are you always going to keep those leaves on you?” “ No indeed!” said I, “I hadn’t planned on that! They will come off on their own, eventually. But for the meantime, thank you, my good pocket mouse, for your service, and if ever I can repay you, I will.” And I turned to flutter off, but my words were not the last, for at the very time of takeoff, the rodent cried out behind me: “ You can! By not scaring me!” And that was my battle with a plant, not tarnished in splendour, I hope, by the presence of a side kick.

Hoary Bat
Lasiurus cinereus

The Hoary Bat is a migrator, flying south most likely when the first frosts appear. It lives in woodland, and along waterways where it catches insects on wing. Then, about the last hour before sunrise it returns to its roost which is rarely a cave or building, but rather a tree. It is a little-known species but has many names, like Great Hoary Bat, Great Northern Bat, Northern Bat and Twilight Bat. A native species.

Round-leaved Sundew
Drosera rotundifolia

Also known as the Round-leaf Sundew, this plant, like the Pitcher Plant, is carnivorous. Insect prey is trapped upon its arthropod-attracting sticky leaves, and slowly digested, as the hairs around the unfortunate being encage it. Within 48 hours, the prey is nothing but an exoskeleton. Strangely enough, this plant used to be used for love potions, even some farmers believing in the 19th century that it had the same effect upon their animals. It is also known as Lustwort, Red Rot, Youthwort, Rosa Solis, Eyebright and Dew Plant. Why, indeed, go to a jungle to find nature prodigies when they are all around us here in Saskatchewan? A native species.

Olive-backed Pocket Mouse
Perognathus fasciatus

This little high-strung rodent will leap up to 60 cm vertically if threatened. It usually hops around on all its four limbs as a means of locomotion and lives in sandy and dry grasslands. Of all the rodents, it is considered the slowest, and grooms itself underground in day and comes forth at dusk. A native species.