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