One cloudy day, while the sun was trying to peek out from the clouds (that were ganging up - again),
a young boy stretched out on the dappled flags of the garden patio called to his Mum inside,
He said, "Come and look at this," and she lifted her head to look out (in the direction he was looking)
<she didn't want to move really - she was comfortable>
... but she got up anyway... and peered around the patio doors to see their 14 month old Jack Russell, "Bill" making a fuss about something in amongst the flower pots.
She listened for a moment, because (of course) she already knew one of the voices, she just hadn't heard the other's yet, so she 'narrated'......
Bill said, "I might be big (how scary are you?)
- he kept talking... approaching cautiously. Mum couldn't see who or what he was talking to and wondered if perhaps, it too had spoken.
Bill said, "She's watching now, so don't move if I get closer!"
Mum thought ......then translated.....
Bill's saying,
"I can see you! -
Let's play,
what can you do,
and will you hurt me?" -
"What do you mean I look small!?
I can growl,
bark
and apart from those
(he thought quickly about what Ben already knew about him)
I can also bite -
you wont like me if I bite you...........,
"....are we playing?,
what kind of a game? -
does it involve biting?
- am I already losing? and if so... how?"
Just then, Ben (the grey slug) moved slightly, rippling as he looked around,
"Erm, is that 'her' watching us now ?
and how can she hear me too?,
is that allowed?"
Bill growled,
"were you going to 'get me' then?,
what do I have to look out for?"
Bill felt braver, he bared his teeth in a huge grin and said,
"Yeah and she's not just a looker, she's my Mum as well" -
"can you play fighting?,
or will one of us get hurt if we play that
and could that be me?"
Mum translated for Peter....
Bill said,
"Can we play,
but I still want to have a good look at you,
but I'm not sure if I trust you,
what scares you?
and you promise not to hurt me?
She is still watching and
(I think)
yes, she's laughing
(at me!)"
Ben relaxed,
then wondered if he looked okay....
Bill growled,
"... Ah.... I don't really want to play with you anyway,
you can't do anything that's fun"
(you're more interested in her)
Mum burst out laughing again and wiped the tears away whilst telling Peter....
Meanwhile Bill strutted across the patio passing them on his way onto the lawn, .....
"......you're boring -
anyway....
she's my Mum
and she's loves me
(is she still looking?
oh... shoulders back.....)
Peter said, "Why did he say that?"
Mum said, "Oh something about me watching and how smart he is - see the way he threw back his shoulders? - "
Peter said, "What would he care about that
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