Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

[guppiecat]

True story.

It was senior day at the zoo, by which I mean, the seniors from the local high school were forced to go to the zoo for their Biology class. As I was taking this photo, three young men walked up. Two of them were white, one was African American. They were all dressed in what suburban people call “urban”, but what I am led to believe that urban people call “clothes”. Their pants were loose, they had over-sized sneakers, and everything was fairly worn. They didn’t seem to want to be there.

One of them saw this critter in the tree and looked at the sign. He pointed, and said to his friends “That ain’t a red panda.” Another said “No, it ain’t.” Then the African American guy looked at it and at his friends and said “I believe that is an opossum.”

Then, as his friends stared at him, he said. “Well excuse me for speaking English!” Then they laughed and walked away together.

And that is why you shouldn’t pre-judge people.

Comments

[pameladean]

That is a great story. And a very winsome opossum. I suspect that he is far too aware that he is not a red panda.

P.

[mle292.livejournal.com]

And then they had a spirited debate as to whether it's "possum" or "opossum." Ultimately, everyone agreed on marsupial.

[realmjit.livejournal.com]

my gods, you managed to make a 'possum look cute.

O'course, most of the ones I see are half-smeared on the pavement. Most creatures have trouble looking their best like that.