When Neeka was very little, she loved watching the crazy squirrels play in her backyard. Now five years old, she doesn’t have time for squirrels, especially since she’s busy with school and her little sister, Gel. Neeka is happy with her family and her home, but she feels so far away from her school friends. She wishes she had a playmate, and Gel is much too young.
One day, she comes home from school and finds a furry surprise on her parents’ bed. What she thinks is a pair of brown socks turns out to be a sleeping squirrel! When the squirrel sees Neeka, he is terribly frightened and tries to find a way to escape. Neeka is scared, too, having forgotten how she used to love watching the cuddly critters play when she was little.
With her family’s help, Neeka faces her fears and sets the squirrel free—after he’s had a good time exploring their house, of course. Outside, the squirrel doesn’t seem so scary anymore. In fact, Neeka begins to think maybe the little squirrel took the path inside because he wanted a friend, too. Together, Neeka and the squirrel might not be lonely anymore.
