Strange Creature
It was something strange, he had never seen anything like it.
He was dumbfounded, he couldn't figure out what it was. But he still knew what he had to do even if those around might think he was crazy.
Business In Nature
Dirk and Lori Morgan loved running their own lodge in Costa Rica. It was a retirement they had dreamed of.
Their lodge was small but among nature, they wouldn't want it any other way. They wanted to give their guests an authentic experience.
Keeping It Small
They were looking forward to treating their two newest guests to the best hospitality possible.
The couple that were staying at the lodge hired out a canoe and asked Lori what routes they should take. Dirk on the other hand was busy making their dinner - he loved to barbeque. The tides had rocked up on the beach that the lodge overlooked.
Getting Grub Ready
He inhaled the smoky aroma from the meat he had thrown on the grill. He would make sure that his guests never went hungry when they stayed in their lodge.
But dirk noticed something strange on the rocky beach as he turned the delicious meat on the grill. His eyes narrowed as he pondered what it could be.
Out Of Place Color
He saw the color brown stood out against the dark rocks that littered the beach. what was it?
He knew that it couldn't be a piece of driftwood but at the same time it didn't look artificial. It was something special. He decided that he would go and investigate it. But the grill couldn't be left alone.
Ignore It?
He looked back at the tender meat he was grilling to perfection.
He noticed that it moved! It must have been alive. He decided to get his wife and show her what he saw. He had to make sure he was right about this. But what he would find would have him in disbelief.
Curiosity Takes Hold
“Watch the lunch,” he said, walking out onto the rocky shore. He had to know what it was.
Dirk carefully stepped over the slippery stones, determined to find out what it was. As he got closer, he saw it had fur ... and huge claws. There was no water creature he had ever seen before. It suddenly flailed its arms and made a sound Dirk would never have expected.
New Noises
The strange sound pulled him closer.
It only took a few more steps to see what it really was. The crashing sound of a wave came from behind him. The water was going to swell in and wash the creature away. He had to do something! He sprinted for the animal.
Taking Action
Dirk pulled off his “Kiss the Cook” apron and scooped up the little animal before the salty wave pulled it away to a dark, cold end.
The animal made the same squeal it had made before. Dirk ran for home, calling for his wife to get a box and blanket. The first thing to do was get it clean.
Getting It Clean
“What on earth is that?!” Lori asked, eyeing the dirty, furry animal. The couple that was staying with them also came over, their eyes wide in confusion.
Dirk ran a gentle stream of fresh clean water from the hose, trying to wash the sand away. The animal reached up with its large claw and squeaked again. What was it?
Lost Baby
It was a tiny sloth!
The adorably slow creatures could be seen in trees all over Costa Rica, and even near Dirk’s lodge. But this was one just a baby and had somehow fallen out of its tree and got washed along the shore.
Nearly Perished
It had been clinging to the rock for dear life.
The poor thing lay in Dirk’s apron, clean but utterly exhausted. It made another pathetic squeak – but this one wasn’t from fear. It was like he was begging for the humans to take mercy on him. Lori quickly pulled out her phone. There was only one place to call.
Happy Guests
The couple that was visiting the lodge had never seen a sloth in real life.
The wife happily cradled the little thing in her arms like a tiny baby – a small tear even trickled down her cheek. By the time the animal rescue team showed up, the two guests were utterly in love.
Sorry, Can’t Keep It
So, with sad but understanding faces, they handed the little guy over.
Dirk brushed the sand from his apron with a huge grin. It wasn’t every day he could have a direct impact on the wildlife around him. But what would happen to the sloth?
Lovely End
Dirk was happy knowing it was going to a special clinic for wild animals.
The staff would take care of it until it was healthy again. Then, they would release it back into the wild where it belonged – stronger and ready to live out its life. It truly was a happy ending.