No one can tell when a turtle gets a leg cramp. The poor beast gets no sympathy. Baby animals scoot right past it. Amazing turtles haven't become extinct.
One day Oscar the turtle was complaining about this to Louise the worm. At least you have a shell for protection, she retorted. But you can burrow underground when danger comes, he pointed out. Both agreed at least no one organized hunting expeditions centering on them.
Just then, Alexander the rabbit came hobbling by. What happened to you? they asked. Hip replacement, he replied. I can't sprint or leap for weeks. Too much wear and tear running from predators and those damn dogs. I've put on three pounds since the operation. They all laughed when the irony of the situation hit them.
Up to now this has been a charming moral tale. But right then a group of fifth graders on a field trip burst through the bushes. One stomped on Louise, another tickled Oscar under his chin mercilessly, and a girl picked up Alexander and squeezed him so hard she broke his other hip.
A crow looking down at this just shook its head and flew off. Crows never cramp.
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