As most Patriots know, at the head of today's bushytail horde, the Squirrel Enforcement Army, is the infamous Tufty the Traffic Safety Squirrel.

Tufty burst upon the scene in the 1960's with his Tufty Club and it's manifesto of terror (see link below). But who preceded Tufty?

To answer that question we bring you our series...

IN 1922, ERNEST THOMSON SETON PUBLISHED BANNERTAIL, STORY OF A GRAYSQUIRREL. THE CHRONICLE OPENS WITH A HORRIFIC BATTLE DURING WHICH BANNERTAIL'S MOTHER IS CLUBED TO DEATH BY A FARM BOY. BANNERTAIL IS THEN HANDED OVER TO THE FAMILY CAT AS A TREAT. BUT, INSTEAD OF EATING THE SKWERLBALL, KITTY TAKES BANNERTAIL AS ONE OF HER OWN.

TIME PASSES, BUT BANNERTAIL'S TRAUMA OVER THE DEATH OF HIS MOTHER DRIVES HIM TO THE BRINK. HE BURNS THE FARM DOWN, DRIVING THE NICE KITTY AND THE FARM FOLK AWAY. AFTERWARDS, HE EMBARKS ON A QUEST FOR POWER IN THE SURROUNDING FOREST.

FORTUNATELY, BANNERTAIL ALIENATES JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY AND EVERYTHING HE COMES IN CONTACT WITH. EVEN HIS MARRIAGE TO THE EVER-PATIENT SILVERGRAY IS SORELY TESTED WHEN HE PLUNGES INTO THE FOREST DRUG CULTURE.

BANNERTAIL'S WATERLOO COMES DURING A BATTLE WITH INVADING HUNTERS. HIS SON, CRAY, LEADS A BRAZEN FRONTAL ASSAULT ON THE HUNTERS. HE'S SHOT DEAD. BANNERTAIL BECOMES A HOPELESS DRUG ADDICT AFTER THAT.

EVENTUALLY, BANNERTAIL HITS BOTTOM AND ENTERS RE-HAB. HE BEATS THE MONKEY OFF HIS BACK AND RETURNS TO THE FOREST TO CLAIM A THRONE. SILVERGRAY WELCOMES BANNERTAIL BACK, BUT THE FOREST CREATURES ARE LESS TOLERANT. THEY SEND TWO WISE-GUYS, HAWK AND BLACK SNAKE, TO DEAL WITH THE CHITTERBOX.

BANNERTAIL SURVIVES THE ASSASINATION ATTEMPT, BUT HIS QUEST TO RULE THE FOREST IS BROKEN FOREVER.

SCENES FROM BANNERTAIL
click thumbnails for large, hi-res versions

  

  

  

  

BANNERTAIL WAS LAST SEEN GATHERING HICKORY NUTS IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA. HE DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS NAME. HIS CURRENT WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN...

"Foolish man... is like the fool on a tree o'erhanging the abyss,
who saws the very limb on which depends his life"
~ from Bannertail, the Story of a Graysquirrel

READER COMMENTS

Like every delusional cult leader, Bannertail had a hidden agenda. His connection with drugs was probably the reason he was defeated. Also the trauma he indured as a kid probably left him mentally insucure. I think it's safe to say that Bannertail was a crazy, power hungry minion. His death is his own fault. I advise that no one trys to understand Banner. The only thing that led to his rise and demise was his charm and insanity.