The Crocodile and The Plover

         
         
Made: April 3, 2024

The Crocodile and The Plover

          The crocodile waded through the shallow riverbed, his long body shifting the sands below him, clouding up the clear water. Swiftly, the fish darted out of his way, vanishing into the shadowy depths on either side of the riverbank. Fearful of becoming the predator's next meal, they sought refuge in the safety of the darkness. The crocodile paid no mind to the fish, however, as he continued on his way.


          He continued moving, never staying in one place for too long. Eventually, he reached his destination. The majestic crocodile hauled its imposing body onto the shore. With great effort, it steadfastly dragged itself until it found a suitable spot. Finally, the mighty creature settled gracefully, carefully lowering its colossal jaw. Then he waited.


          He didn't have to wait long, it seemed. The Egyption Plover sped down towards the crocodile and hopped gingerly into his mouth.


          "Oh wow! You had a big meal!" The wader chittered as she picked and pulled at the leftover meat stuck between the croc's teeth, using one of her claws to clamp onto a nearby tooth to anchor herself.


          "Eh was a 'ig hish." The crocodile responded, his teeth already feeling cleaner by the second.


          "What? Oh right, I'm in your mouth, hah!" The bird realized belatedly, her high-pitched laugh muffled by the mouth of the croc.


          The croc merely sighed as he contentedly let his teeth be cleaned.


          It was around half an hour later when the plover finally stopped fussing and deemed the crocodile's teeth clean. She hopped out of his mouth and fluffed up her feathers as the croc snapped his jaws together a few times.


          "You did a good job, as always." The croc praised the plover, as he always did. "Your eggs hatched not that long ago, right? How are they doing?"


          "Thank you for the meal! As for my hatchlings.. Hah.. They're a handful, that's for sure! But thanks to you, they're well fed! Thank you again!" The bird replied, her chittering voice raising in volume as she thanked the croc.


          The crocodile seemed content with her answer and turned around to slide back down into the river, shouting a good-bye as he swam off. The plover herself shouted back and quickly took off, her belly full and ready to feed her hatchlings.


          'The day is as normal as could be in the forest' They both thought to themselves as they went about their way.