Word: pusillanimous

 

pusillanimous

\ pyoo-suh-LAN-uh-muhs \  , adjective;

1. lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.

2. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.

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“D-Do we really need to go in there?”  Asked Kevin nervously.  His two friends, Jeff and Lauren, groaned at his hesitance  

                “Yes.  Yes we do.”  Jeff said.  “Just like ten minutes ago.  And ten minutes before that.  And, unless we’re on the trail in ten minutes, the answer will still be the same.”

                “B-but why?  I-I mean, can’t we just, you know, stay here and eat?”

                “No, we can’t.” 

                “But there’s tables here.  We can sit on a bench and eat.”

                “What’s so great about that?”  Lauren asked.  “I mean, we can do that any time we want.  Besides, the view’s way better up there than t is here.”  She pointed to the trail.

                Kevin’s heart beat like a drum as he looked into the forest path the three of them stood in front.  He had protested the entire way to the hiking spot, but his friends practically dragged him there.

                “I can see that view from a computer screen.”  Kevin said.

                “It’s not the same.”  Lauren said.  “Just seeing it is way different from really being there.”

                “Exactly.  Besides, the fresh air will do you good.”  Jeff said, nodding his head.

                “B-but isn’t it dangerous?”  Kevin said.  “I mean, it looks dangerous.” 

                “Are you kidding?”  Jeff exclaimed, “There’s nothing in there that can hurt you.”
                “Bears.  There’s bears in the woods.”  Kevin said, shuddering at the thought.  “What would you do if a huge black bear came out and attacked us?”

                “Oh please, there’s no bears here.”  Jeff said.  “And even if there was, they’d keep well away from the trails.”

                “B-but, what if…”

                “No buts.  Look, hundreds of people walk these trails every day, and not one has ever been attacked by a bear.”

                “W-well then, probability says that I’d be the first, doesn’t it?”

                “Yeah, no.”  Lauren said dryly.  “Probability doesn’t work like that.  The only animals we’re likely to see are squirrels and songbirds.”

                “S-squirrels?  T-those can be dangerous too.  I mean, have you ever seen the teeth those things have?”

                Jeff and Lauren sighed and looked at each other.  They had known Kevin wasn’t the bravest of individuals, but this was pushing it to the extreme. 

                “Seriously, you can’t tell me you’re honestly afraid of squirrels.”  Jeff said, getting a bit concerned.

                “A-aren’t you?  I mean, first of all, who knows what diseases they can carry.  And you’ve heard to them throwing acorns and things?  Well, what if one of those hits you in the eye of something?  Squirrels can be very dangerous, you know.”  Kevin said. 

                “You’re imagining things.  Seriously, just come on.  Nothing’s gonna happen.”  Jeff said, doing his best to comfort Kevin.

                “H-how do you know?  I mean, who knows what horrors could be out there.”

                “Oh yes, because squirrels are terrifying.”  Lauren said.

                “I-it’s not just the animals.  What if there’s like, I don’t know, a serial killer lurking out there or something?”

                “A serial killer?  Really?”  Jeff said blandly, “Dude, it’s the middle of the day.  There’s people everywhere.  Trust me, nothing is going to leap out and attack you.”

                “B-but what if…”

                “No buts.  Nothing will hurt you on the bright, well traveled trail in the thin woods.  Now come on, let’s go.  I want to eat at something like a reasonable time.”

                “Y-you two can go on without me, right?”  Kevin said in a last ditch effort to avoid going into the woods.  “That way you can risk whatever dangers are there, and I can stay out here, where it’s more or less safe.”

                Jeff and Lauren looked at each other again.  Both knew what they had to do.  They stood near Kevin, each on opposite sides of him.  Acting nearly in unison, they each wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and started walking.  Kevin had no choice but to start moving with him.  That didn’t mean he couldn’t complain about the entire way though.     

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It takes a special kind of talent to be scared of squirrels, doesn't it?  That must mean this guy is one of the most talented people ever!