Throwing the Book at Us (Tuesday october 15th, 11:30 pm)

[Shaper Jenn]

Chapter 4 

The Pond 

Sure to the Lynx’s word, the corn field fell the morning after, and it was a close call that both Rax and the snake made it out alive. And now that the field was a barren stubble, there were no more eggs to eat. The game birds flew to warmer countries, the field mice slipped into their holes and neither were seen again.  
The pair made their way down the lane to a wide, deep pond, its surface on fire with the beautiful red, gold and browns of the season. It was delightful to sit and watch the leaves float down and make ripples to disturb the glass-like surface. With only the dragonflies and frogs, the pair found themselves very comfortable. They made a little home for themselves by pushing leaves into a pile over a small outcropping, enough room for a pantry and a bedroom. Every day they went for a walk and enjoyed the scenery and pulled japes on eachother. In the evening they hunted and supped upon juicy frogs and squirrels that the snake rubbed with spices. And every night they fell asleep as Rax told beautiful stories about anything she thought up. 
One evening, as they were sitting comfortably together, someone lumbered through the shallows. They had a little firefly that they kept tied to a string and it lit the way for weary travellers. But it was no ordinary traveller- it was an alligator. The kitten screamed and sprang into their home. The snake hid herself on the outcropping.
But the gator began to speak and said, “Do not be afraid, I will do you no harm. I am chilled to the bone and only want to rest myself a little. If you are obliged, I’d like you to rub yourself up and down my scales.”  
  
“Poor gator,” said the snake. “Lie down by the firefly, only take care that you do not chafe your belly on the leaves.” Then she cried, “Rax, come out, the gator will do you no harm, he means well.” 
But the kitten would not come out. But by-and-by the snake came closer and was not afraid of him.
“Here, child, slide onto my back and slither as much as you please.” So the snake did as she was asked and ran her body up and down until they were warmed. The gator hissed contentedly and comfortably and stretched himself out on the leaves. It was not long before the snake grew quite at home with him, and played tricks with their clumsy guest. She tapped his nose with her tail, slid under his belly and tickled him and when he growled she laughed. But the alligator took it all in good part, only when she was too rough, he called out, “Leave me alive, child.”
  
  When it was bed-time, the snake said to the gator, “You can lie here safely.” 
  
  Henceforth the gator was warmed every morning and night, laid himself down by the firefly, and then let the snake amuse herself with him as much as she liked- and she got so used to him that she sometimes wished he could be her littermate instead of the kitten, who never came out of their home once during the whole time the gator was there. 
  
  When the trees were bare and the horses in the distant fields were being covered by blankets, the gator said to the snake, “Now I must go away, and cannot come back for the whole winter.”
 “Where are you going, dear alligator?” asked the snake.
 “I must go into the deep forest and make a fine burrow for myself to sleep. In the autumn, when the sun is colder, I am eager to chase it. But come winter, I must stay below. When the snow falls, a gator in the open does not easily see daylight again.”
 
  The snake was quite sorry for his going away, but she nodded. 
“Listen, snake. I am dubbing you a name, but first you must hear my words. You have been kind to me, so much kinder than I deserve, but cat and a serpent must never be. It is an abomination. In the winter, the snow will drive and storm.  All who are caught in it are frozen as though by the tooth of an adder. Take my advice. Leave the cat where it is and follow me into the  forest. I will take care of you.” 
“I think I will remain here a little while longer.”
“Please yourself, Hyk.” 
The serpent, now dubbed Hyk, watched as her dear friend the gator padded away through the dead leaves and into the forest. As he walked, his belly chafed on the leaves and Hyk was sure she saw black and red smouldering beneath his scales. But she was not sure.  
“Good riddance.” Said the kitten, climbing out of the hole. 
Hyk had a sudden urge to leave the kitten where she was and follow the alligator, but it passed and they laid down together for the first time in weeks.