Getting Over My Fears of Groundhog Day

          "Hey Phillie!" Said Zura. She's a chimpanzee and one of my best friends. We both work at an animal hospital, only in this animal hospital, animals are the doctors. Zura and I are doctors. We handle all sorts of things. If an animal needs some surgery, they call us. If an animal needs an x-ray, they call us. If an animal needs any kind of therapy, they call us. There's a longer list, but you'd get tired of hearing all of our professions inside our profession. "Hey Zura!" I replied back with a smile. "Did you hear about the tiger that was trying to escape from poachers, and when doing so, it broke its paw?" Asked Zura. "No. Is it alright?" "They said it's really bad. There might be some infection in the paw along with the break." She said. I got an empty file from behind the reception desk and started asking for information. "What's the gender? Where did it get hurt? Name? Are there any cubs?" I asked with pencil in hand. "Female. She got hurt somewhere in the Amazon rain forest. There are cubs. Two female, one male. Her name is Lilly. That's all of the information we know of so don't ask for what insurance  company she's with or what her phone number is." Replied Zura. Just as we were speaking, a polar bear was wheeled by us. "What's wrong with him?" I asked curiously. "We think he has amnesia. He says he's from Mars. He may be bi-polar, we don't know. We're not needed." She said. "Well, let's head toward the ER. Lilly will be here any minute and we need to be ready for when she shows up." I said. She nodded her head in agreement and we headed towards the ER.

          I bet you've heard of Punxsutawney Phil. Well I'm Punxsutawney Phillie. This year, the humans in the funny, tall, black hats decided to shake things up. They couldn't find a guy groundhog because they were all hiding. They don't want to be the chosen groundhog because they are scared of the humans that scream at them. I know you're thinking that they're cowards, but they're really not. Ever since groundhogs are born, they are scared of becoming the chosen groundhog. If you haven't already guessed, I am a groundhog. I am the chosen one.

          I went out to eat with my best friends Zura and Sally. Sally is a squirrel, and you already know that Zura is a chimpanzee. We ate at Olive Garden. We love that place because tame animal guests, like us, get free salads. I was munching on my salad and thinking about February 2nd. That is tomorrow. They don't tell you a month early, like they should, because some chosen groundhogs decide to commit suicide because they're afraid. I just found out this morning that I was a chosen one, but I'm not going to commit suicide because I have my whole life ahead of me and it's stupid to waste it. "Why are you so quiet today, Phillie?" Said Sally. "Haven't you heard? Phillie is the chosen one..." Said Zura solemnly. I hung my head and ate my salad in silence. "Are you scared?" Asked Sally. "Of course she's scared! What groundhog wouldn't be?" Zura said. Then she noticed that I had stopped eating and decided to ask me a question. "Are you okay, Phillie? I know it's kind of scary, but you're the bravest groundhog I know! You won't have any problems when they hold you up and the crowd screams at you." When Zura said that, a shiver ran down my spine. I was mostly scared of the men in the black hats and the crowd. Then, I finally decided to speak. "What if I see my shadow? Then people will hate me. If I don't see my shadow, the humans will love me. I can't control the weather." I said worriedly. "It'll be alright. You'll see." Sally said. "Sally's right. All you have to do is come out of your man made den when they knock on the door, don't squirm when they hold you, and don't go to the bathroom on them out of nervousness. They normally don't hurt the groundhog. They only do that if the groundhog gets out of line. You'll be fine." Zura said reassuringly. I started tearing up. "It won't be fine. What could a chimpanzee and a squirrel possibly know about Groundhog Day?" As I said this, I saw the hurt looks on my friends' faces and ran out of the restaurant.          

          I can't believe I did that to them. They deserve better. I would apologize, but I don't want to leave my man made den. Although it's strange, the bedding is quite comfortable. Then I heard Zura and Sally outside my door. They were planning to break the door down. When they did so, they noticed that I had been crying and asked me to go for a walk to think things over before tomorrow. When we got back, I felt very refreshed and ready for tomorrow to come around.          

          Knock knock knock. Time to go out! I wasn't as nervous after yesterday's talk. I did what Zura told me to do, I went out as soon as they knocked and opened the door. I looked out and there were thousands of humans watching. My stomach lurched with anxiety. All of the weight was on my shoulders. It was up to me to determine whether or not spring began. I looked behind me in horror. My shadow was visible! I tried to run back inside my man made den to make it seem like I never saw my shadow, but they held me still and gave me treats. While they were doing that, the kids were crying because there was 6 more weeks of winter. I felt sad for them and hung my head in shame, hoping that this was all just one bad dream.          

          Knock knock knock. Time to go out! Wait... didn't all of this already happen? I came out with my face twisted in confusion. Maybe it was just a dream. It was a cloudy day and I watched behind me as I walked, looking for a shadow that was nowhere to be seen. I was very happy. They held me and gave me treats. The crowd, including the kids, were cheering. I was glad that spring would begin soon. I hope I get to be the chosen one next year!