Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Sunday, December 19, 2010

A Small Christmas "Tail"-4










Onward to Part 4...

A Small Christmas "Tail"

Casey loped out the door and felt only a little guilty at scattering the yard full of birds. No matter. He knew they'd be back just as soon as he went inside. Birds never let anything bother them for long.

As was his custom, Casey carefully marked the perimeter of the yard, which served to warn strangers not to trespass on his territory. He felt it only proper to avoid any unpleasantness by letting them know who was in charge. Once he finished that task, Casey raced to the farthest point of the yard which bordered a small lake. The water sparkled with golden pink sunlight.


Casey licked his lips. After so much hard work, a cool drink would certainly hit the spot. And as an added bonus, he didn't even need to worry about his feet getting muddy. The ground had been hard for weeks. Casey touched his muzzle to the surface and began to lap until he noticed a large gray fish swimming just beneath the surface. He lifted his head and nodded an amiable greeting.

The fish regarded him cautiously and then nodded in reply. Casey recalled how his people once talked about fish being brain food. That must mean fish were smart. As long as such an intelligent creature was handy, why not ask him about Christmas?

"Sir, do you happen to know anything about Christmas?"

The fish pursed his mouth and bubbles traveled from it to the surface. With each bursting bubble, Casey heard words that sloshed with every syllable.

"Of course I do. That's the time when humans drag green trees to the water and throw them in for us."

Casey pricked his ears forward and tilted his head to the side.

"But why would they do that?"

More bubbles drifted upward.

"It gives us a safe place to bring our young ones into the world. Christmas is about home."

Then the fish turned smoothly and with a flip of his tail glided away. Casey scratched a tickle behind his ear while he thought. Could Christmas be about home? The idea made him long for the warmth of the house, so he turned to trot back to the door.

But before he'd taken more than three steps, he noticed a beautiful doe move from the cover of trees to the lake.

10 comments:

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Pat, if I should die tonight, my only regret would not reading the rest of this story!

OH! If I was an illustrator, I would LOVE to illustrate this story!

Two French Bulldogs said...

Thank you for the story lady
Benny & Lily

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Nice "chapter". Can't wait fur another!!!!!

Doris Sturm said...

Very well written - I could actually hear that fish blubber talk through the bubbles - very entertaining - made me smile ;-)

Donna Volkenannt said...

Lovely tale, or should I say tail?

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I'm not sure what is more fun!

The tales/tails

OR

Cyndi's frustrations!!!

Ryker said...

Keep them comin'

Anonymous said...

Great story :) Great idea about throwin tree into the water to make homes for the lil fishies. As long as all the baubles and tinsel is removed first of course ;)

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Anonymous said...

I think I need to put my ear down to our aquarium to listen to the bubbles....like I do my cereal to hear the "snap, crackle, pop".

Great story. Peg will read it to the "little ones" on Christmas.

marty

Kristine said...

I have been loving each instalment of this sweet story. It is writing like this, and the warmth behind it, that is one of my favourite things about Christmas.