Oklahoma-based mom Ladye Hobson received an unexpected phone call Wednesday, September 20: Her 8-year-old son, Brylan, had smuggled a dead squirrel to school in his backpack.
Hobson chronicled her funny exchange with Gayla Goff, the principal of Gatewood Elementary, in a Facebook post that has since gone viral.
“When asked by the principal what possessed him to pick up this dead squirrel and store it in his backpack, my son replies with, ‘I really wanted squirrel dumplings for dinner tonight,” wrote Hobson. “[Gayla] asks if I actually want the squirrel to come home with him. Y’all, I had to explain that we are from the country, but we’re not THAT country … #jesustakethewheel #lifewithboys #operationbackpacksanitationisunderway.”
Hobson added that Goff felt compelled to take a picture because the squirrel “looked so peaceful lying there in his bag.”
Hobson, who lives in Oklahoma City, tells Us Weekly that her third grader, who she describes as “very creative,” found the animal right before school started. “He said it was outside in the grass,” she says. “So I guess he thought it would be a good idea for him to pick up and save it for dinner.”
The post, which includes a photo of the deceased rodent, has been shared more than 81,000 times and has received 112,000 likes.
As soon as school was over, Brylan texted Hobson. “I”m so sorry mom,” he typed. “About the sqerel thing. I didn’t kill it mom.” He then sent an audio message that said, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I will never do anything like this again.”
The professional photographer says Mr. Squirrel’s final resting place was the Dumpster. “Unfortunately, he didn’t have a proper burial,” Hobson tells Us. “But I think we’ve honored him through sharing his story!”
