October 27, 2010
DEDUCTION

Visy wasn’t very big and yes he was always a little nosey but he knew when he was out of line. Many of times he had to leave a dispute but you just don’t mess with the snark. That lady was not just big but gigantic and she had teeth to match and a smile that shook you to the bone. She was not as big as Carl or Norgal but she was just full of mean that had (by all accounts) beaten even Caush. Visy made the decision to stay out of the way of that snark.

Visy was a little shaken because Cezee had come close enough for eye contact just before Visy had dropped into the old log. He sighed and calmed down, took a deep breath and crawled quietly out from beneath the log. It was quite a distance back to Norgal and he had to stop by and warn Mira. That look in Cezee’s eyes meant trouble for the little lady. Of course he could take care of himself but by his calculations the next meal for the snark was to be Mira and family.

He looked all four ways and headed across the grassy plane, but as luck would have it he had not looked up.

The screech almost knocked him over and the blast of wind blew him beneath the nearest rock. The “thing” diving out of the sky was not Flit or anything close and that screech was deafening. His tail dropped and he ducted his head but of course those talons had already scrapped the earth and left empty. He could not remember having two close calls, in one afternoon, before and hoped it would never happen again. With his tail raised, he headed once again for Mira’s place. Damn, he sure would like a piece of cheese.

Of course Mira wasn’t home and no one knew were she could be. Her family was never too friendly so Visy snooped around a bit and then decided to check in with Norgal.

Norgal still sat behind that hand carved desk writing on something that was of no interest to Visy so he helped himself to a bit of cheese from the larder before sitting down on the paper in front of Norgal.

“Guess what, boss” Visy said very politely, “Mira is going for your job and the snark is going to eat her.” And he returned to his cheese.

October 20, 2010
EFFORTLESS


Cezee moved stealthily through the tall grass trying to avoid those areas that would cause her pain and those which would make a crackling sound but her main attention was focused on the movement of Carl. His movement was only about three feet away and he wasn’t to quite. He had stopped and lifted his nose smelling the air. For the life of her she could not imagine what he was sniffing the air for. She new she was not the culprit. Her sent was almost non existent.

The soft ground made no sound and she was missing most of the leaves. She hurried on past. Her encounter with the Porky about fifteen minutes ago had left her full and sleepy. That was always a problem, those Pork’s were a rough catch, with quills sticking out all over it was a problem getting it to turn over so she could get to the under belly but the reward was good eating.

As she moved on she could hear Carl move off in the other direction and she picked up her pace. There was a small rustle in the grass and she caught the movement of a tail disappearing into a deep log. She stopped for a moment, ready to pounce but decided she was to full and tired to try and catch a dumb old mouse that she would only swallow in one gulp, so little Visy escaped for another day.

She began to move on automatic and her thoughts went over the last couple of days. The encounter with Caush was sure different. Her memory, which was keenly accurate, was far different than what Caush was relating to just about anyone. The leg he was exhibiting, to just about everyone, wasn’t hers and she could prove it and the encounter was stopped because Carl came running up and she wasn’t ready to take on both at the same time so she had left by just walking off.

Cezee knew she could beat anyone, anywhere, anytime but two at once was making her uncomfortable.

And that gabby little Mira. Spouting off like that, you would think she was king of the hill. Her mouth did not fit her size. Two clicks of the teeth and she would be only a memory. Maybe she and her family would be a fine appetizer.

And there goes that Visy again.

October 12, 2010
CONTAINMENT

Carl was tired. The chase had worn him down to his last step and that crazy rabbit was still running. His left foot hurt. That last turn must have been on a rock or something. He lay there and licked it hoping that would fix any damage that old rock had caused.
Either the rabbits were getting faster or just maybe he was getting slower – naw that wasn’t happening. It sure would have been fun if he had caught the rabbit.

He started to get up and the smell of snark stopped him cold. It wasn’t strong in fact it disappeared almost immediately but he trusted his nose and new the snark had passed close to him. The snark usually ran a straight path unlike that lucky rabbit that could turn corners on an instant. He stared through the grass for movement but only the breeze barely moved a few leaves. He sighed and rose stiffly and began to walk away.

Last night everyone had left the meeting rather quickly after Flit had warned of the snark. Carl had been the last to leave, confident he could beat any snark and unsure why everyone was afraid. A grin passed his lips as he remembered Visy under the table swiping cheese and completely ignoring anything else.

Oh yeah, that sweet little Mira sitting on his head. What a day that turned out to be. He just new that Mira was going to challenge Norgal for King but she didn’t have the stature to physically run the meetings or the country. He felt kind of sorry for the chatty little lady but liked her.

He gingerly made his way across a small stream and headed up the hill when he met the SNARK.

The little fellow stood on his hind legs and stared right into Carl’s face. Carl was sure that the next move would propel the SNARK right into Carl’s jaws but they just stood facing each other. It looked like there was the remnant of blood on the SNARK’s jaw.
As Carl was formulating his next move, the SNARK turned and disappeared.

Carl shuddered and swore. He was going to have to find out where or who the blood came from.

October 5, 2010
ASSERTION

He new it would happen and sure enough it was coming right in front of him. Norgal was clearing his throat, probably a hair ball which he would spit out on the desk in front of him, leaning back, pounding his empty pipe on the desk, issuing a large humph and began his oration.

Visy had no intention of listening to any oration. He slipped under his chair and began cleaning his ears. He wasn’t sure why because he wasn’t going to listen to any oration – unless his name was mentioned.

Norgal had it all planned out. His speech was going to be perfect now that his throat was cleared. “My friends. It has come to my atten……”

“You know,” Mira spouted “ that old snark is really a problem and we should find a way to do him in. Why I heard that old Caush had run in with him and got a good lick in but the old snark still got away. If old Caush can’t beat him what about everyone else. None of us is safe. Why my little ones and yes my relatives are in constant danger. I think we should all get together, a thousand of us, and give that old snark his due. I know all mine are in. How about all of you?” The voice sounded like it came from just above Old Carl’s head and it was loud.

Norgal gave a small hiss. “My friends. We are here to discuss the preparation for the up coming winter. I know that old snark is a problem and has been for years but winter is just around the corner and we need to make sure all of us are…………”

“Winter humph!! We’ll all be dead before the first snow is in. All of my friends and relatives well be sound asleep and old snark well have his way with us. Come on guys.
Caush, old snark gave you quite a time but you were able to win. Don’t you think that if you had a little help we could run that old snark right out of town?” Mira was getting angery.

Caush raised his head, looked right and left, cocked his left eye and muttered almost with a raspy whisper, “yeh,…. but you all aint comin up to my place! Besides Terandy would get all upset and there aint any room and there would be a terrible mess and who would clean it up. I keep my place clean and so does Terandy. We don’t want no trouble.”

Norgal hissed a little longer and pounded on his hand carved desk. “My friends! We are here to discus the upcoming…..”

“Ya, sure, you are here to discuss our demise” this was a long slow growl from deep in Old Carl’s throat. “Think we need to solve this old snark problem first.” Mira patted his head from above.

It was a tense moment and Visy peeked over the seat of the chair to see what was happening. Everything was quiet so he reached for another piece of the cheese that had dropped from the table and crawled back under the chair. He muttered to himself as he ate and waited for his name to be mention. Sooner or later he new his name would come up and he would have to defend his honor.

A soft breeze rustled the bow on Mira’s head as Flit flew in. “old snark coming”.


Visy – small mouse, very opinionated, and pushy
Norgal – large cat, in charge behind a hand carved desk
Old Carl – large dog, slow but tough
Caush & Tandy – big wood chucks
Flit – hummingbird watcher of all
Miriam Idelbaum – outspoken gabby ground squirrel

Snark – rat, mean