The cat lay flat inside the cleft, sleepily glancing out toward the scene before him, from time to time. He could not remember ever feeling so relaxed, the great ball of fish flesh resting inside his stomach, while his tribe worked at doing interesting stuff outside. The river gurgled, its usual overwhelming background sound muffled by the great rocks over and around the cat. A breeze blowing past only reached Hasti in tendrils of wafting air, occasionally visible when bits and pieces of falling leaves were part of its ever-changing mix.
The image of the humans atop the canyon wall drifted across the very top of the cat’s consciousness, and would not go away. The humans would be coming to his territory, just as the others had. It was what humans did. They violated territorial imperatives with impunity as if they were totally unaware of obvious and fresh scent-markings, and unaware that a very effective, large and hunting predator already occupied the area.
Cetan replied, working on his hands and knees to dig out an area the size of the lean-to form a bottom laid thick with a bed of dead pine needles covered by dense fern leaves and strands to guard against the needle-sharp points.
“…of the lean-to forming a bottom…” I think.
James, reading this for the third or fourth time (yes, enjoying it that much!), it dawned on me that you include young people in your stories where appropriate. Here, with The Cat, your “Harvey” stories, the Mastodon series, the old man’s Christmas, the Christmas gift, the lad in the boat house, the other lad leaving home for the wilderness and snow.
‘Tis a good thing, I feel, and you have a certain empathy with the lives of the young people. Sure makes the stories more real to me. Tickled me that the boy has the cat, the cat has the beaver, and Cetan, with a grin, has Tama! Keep writing, now that you have made addicts of us.
The young people are our future.
Thank you for your support, Craig
Dagnab, Jim! Not ONE, but TWO new chapters tonight!
And Hasti has definitely joined the tribe! Defending territory is a “must do” in a society such as this. You cannot have what you will not defend! Kind of an allegory for a certain Nation I am aware of.
On to Chapter XII I go!
As usual, your comments are informative.
Thank you for being on board and sharing.
Happy and Prosperous New year to you and your family.
Jim
This story is developing rapidly, and well. However I fear the last 10 days will not be ready as a Christmas present. Any predictions?
As you have correctly guessed, Buck, the Third Ten Days is completed by Christmas.
Based on ‘mental’ progress in feel early 2019.
Enjoy the Cat and share with friends.
Thank you.
jim
Storytelling is perhaps humankind’s most important art. Thank-you for sharing your art.
Late in answering this, Ken
But thanks you for your continued support.
Jim
Totally unexpected. First blood was drawn now to see the reaction.
More to come?
Thanks again, Pete.
Jim