Rick And Mick

Rick and Mick are brothers, part of a large
family group that live together in their jungle
surroundings, a place where danger may charge
from any direction, at any time as they wrangle

an existence from their harsh environment.
Being caught out in the open invites attack
by ferocious cats or canines. Bad judgment
is deadly; here mistakes can’t be taken back.

It is now winter, the season of want and worry.
Food is difficult to find, and ground cover is
sparse. One crosses the open plain in a hurry,
and then preferably on the darkest night. If his

luck holds, he will not be spotted by predator
of any sort. The native tribe that populates
this region is ruthless, killing many an ancestor
of Rick and Mick. The tribal female articulates

her loathing of Rick and Mick’s entire family by
screaming and jumping up and down at the mere
sight of one of them in the distance. The natives try
to kill them by placing traps or poisoned food near.

Rick and Mick have grown into cautious and smart
adults, the most successful in their family at food
gathering. The family is starving. They must depart
from the caves they inhabit to forage, all conclude.

Rick and Mick volunteer to cross the open plain.
They move stealthily, using what little cover exists.
Halfway across, feeling eyes watching, they remain
perfectly still. Silence…the sense of danger persists.

Suddenly, a large, tawny cat is leaping through the air
toward them. Rick and Mick instinctively scatter in
opposite directions, knowing that allows one of the pair
sure escape. The cat follows Mick, much to his chagrin.

Rick realizes he is safe for the present and hurries across
the remaining open space. He forages for food. Luck’s on
his side tonight. Stuffing his pouches full, he must cross
the open space again, relying on his quickness, not brawn.

Scurrying from cover to cover, he cautiously traverses
the open ground until able to make a mad dash for home.
Once safely back in the family caves, he converses
with other family members, while he proceeds to comb

the caves, looking for Mick. The family’s foraging went
well tonight. Food will be plentiful for days, making it nice
for the family … but Mick did not return. His life was spent
for food. Rick is much saddened, but such is the life of mice.


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