RUSs

As I sat in the living room last evening, dimly lit by the glow of my iPad, I heard the unmistakeable sound of a large creature snuffling along the deck. There was a scratch of nails on a screen door, a thump of large paws hitting the ground and then silence. I glanced over at the floor to ceiling windows that were between me and the beast. I felt two beady eyes staring at me through the glass (though I couldn't see anything because of the reflected light). Swish - something hairy brushed against the glass. Silence. I strained my ears to hear the rustle of leaves moving in a tree - but there wasn't any wind. Another pause. Then

THUMP. Thump thump thump. THUMP.

A huge mammoth was dashing across the roof. I covered my head with my hands in case the ceiling fell in.

THUMP. THUMP. Thump thump thump thump. Pause. THUMP.

Had it stopped? Where was it?

A picture slowly grew in my mind - it was an RUS! From Princess Bride (come on! You must have seen the movie - it's a classic!)! It was a RODENT OF UNUSUAL SIZE! It's ugly teeth and beady eyes with rolling gait that chases you and jumps down on you from the tree branch!

I froze in my chair, too scared to get up and turn on the porch light. I didn't want to see it! Where was my knight in shining armour? Not home! He was out at a new-comer's group church meeting. Argh! What was I to do?

I sat in my chair, curled into a ball, hugging a pillow to my chest. If it came in a window I would dash to the kitchen, get a frying pan and defend the children's bedrooms. I planned my strategy and wondered where I could find a flaming torch.

Clickety click.

My breath caught in my throat.

"I'm home." James was back. And coming in the front door.
"Shut the door!" I cried out, jumping up from the chair. "There's a creature outside! It's an RUS!"

James leaned out the door. "You're right. It is an RUS." I gasped.

"I pretty sure the opossum is living over the garage."

Opossum - common nocturnal animal of Australia