I had left mother slumbering beneath the shade of the trees. She had been spent, exhausted trotting around after me, her keen eye had been ever so shrewd in spotting my adventures. She had pulled me from clambering up on the rocks of the Falls, several times already today. And as it was still weighing on her, the whole birthing process, I thought I would do her a favour and let her sleep.
Well, my plans were foiled to a degree, for she watched me idly, until I slunk off, my blue frame melting into the shadows. I had my fill of sustenance, my legs gradually gaining coordination. I made my way through the shadows of the trees, skulking, like a wolf, stretching my neck out, each hoof moving with languid grace. My soft eyes moved, spotting the spring butterflies, the budding blooms under foot, which I crunched as I went. I dipped my muzzle, once reaching the water's edge, snorting, sniffing as the water rippled and I saw myself staring back.
It had taken me quite some time to realise it was me. I had raced backwards and forwards, much to my mother's laughter. She had grabbed me by the shoulder and forced me to look back at her, and then to the water. Finally, the penny dropped and I gathered that the water, was not only wet, but also reflective. I bent my front leg, knee tucking up into my sternum. I nodded, throwing my crown up and back, up and sidewards, until I launched into the shallow part of the waters. Wading, with far less grace than I would have hoped. My adventures now transpired to swimming.
That was when I noticed him, the stranger, idly drinking from the waters depths. I slunk low, the waters lapping at my shoulders. I kicked, tore through the watery depths until I emerged, dripping with the cool spring water along my pelt, darkening my roan body to near black. As my mother wasn't around, I guessed this stranger needed someone to greet him. And well, perhaps not all strangers were bad, as my mother had warned me about. Never talk to strangers; then how, how do you expect me to turn into some fine man if I were to never meet another?
'Hello.' My stubby tail was a short pendulum behind, to and fro, to and fro. 'My mother told me to never talk to strangers. But how does she expect me to meet anyone?' I snorted, blowing the droplets of water from my nostrils. 'I'm Akos. Who are you?'
A k o s;
we work in the dark to serve the light
texas x eld |
