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CatmanStu
Stuart Cattell
United Kingdom, Oxfordshire, Banbury

Words: 530
Access: Public
Comments: 8

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Then Along Came A Rabbit, Again.

Arthur felt rather decadent as he reached for another slice of pie, but he had worked hard today and felt he'd earned a little indulgence. The resident hunter of the community, Arthur found that the responsibility of feeding his extended family was something he got a great deal of satisfaction from, and today he had done them proud. Mulling over the days hunting, his mental inventory of the day's productivity is suddenly cut short by a shrill voice from the kitchen.

'What was 'is name again Art?' Gladys was, amongst other things, an excellent cook and loved nothing more than her beloved Arthur coming home with a ravenous hunger. 'What was whose name?' Arthur replies, spitting crumbs on the table. 'You know who, that rabbity looking geezer.' Not the most eloquent creature in the world thought Arthur; but years of love and patience had taught him to accept her lesser qualities, and he now found it one of her more endearing ones. 'Oh you mean the rabbit,' teased Arthur.

'Har har har. Yes I mean the bloody rabbit smartarse, are you going to tell me his name or not?' Gladys retorts, hands on hips and an indignant pout on her lips. 'Brian.' Arthur responds in a matter of fact tone. The stove in the kitchen starts to boil over just as Arthur speaks causing Gladys to lean out and hold her hand to her ear. 'Ay. What was that?' Arthur takes a deep breath and sighs, this being a regular occurrence these days. 'I SAID HIS NAME WAS BRIAN' he shouts back; of course just as the sound levels drops again.

'No need to shout, I just wanted to know what he wanted' responded Gladys, looking rather annoyed. Arthur responds half heartedly, paying more attention to his dinner. 'He was trying to tell me a story about his home, something about being the only survivor of a terrible attack. He said that he thought it was coming here, that we should be prepared, choose a leader or something.'

'Well, shouldn't we? It sounds like a good idea to me.' Arthur gives another sigh, puts on a false smile and adopts a condescending tone. 'If this threat is real, it will arrive and wipe us all out, or it will arrive and we will kill it. Some puffed-up, pompous know-it-all will not help; they will only make matters worse.' Finally sitting down at the table, Gladys responds huffily 'No need to be like that, I was only saying.' Reaching for a slice of pie, Gladys suddenly realises that Arthur has eaten the lot. A look of resignation crosses her face as her tone turns beleaguered. 'So, if this guy came to warn us about some threat, all helpful like; there's something I don't get?' Arthur finishes his last mouthful and replies wearily. 'What's that dear?'

Getting up and clearing the table, Gladys questions Arthur with a puzzled expression. 'Why did you just eat him, love?' Arthur shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head before replying, 'How many times do I have to tell you not to believe gossip; and besides'.'

'I never did trust rabbits.'

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Comments  
nonalienabductee Comment by: nonalienabductee Online- 2006-08-11 08:33
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Rabbits is good eating.
Good ending to a very amusing story with bittersweet overtones. I like how for once humans aren't the supreme evil in the animal world.
MaggieMay Comment by: MaggieMay - 2006-07-17 10:04
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this is a very charming story with a very compelling and unique narative in my opinion. The character had a unique and intresting voice, great characterization. The ending line was very cute and charming and worth a good chuckle.

thanks for the read. great write over all
Leigh Comment by: Leigh - 2006-07-13 00:46
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Very funny and inventive. This read almost like a very dark fairytale - the image you conjured in my head was quite Beatrix Potter-like!

Like the way the characters are so matter of fact about a rabbit appearing at their front door and speaking to them.
yican Comment by: yican Online- 2006-07-10 23:12
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Wow, never expected that to come! First I thought this is a sad story where nice people get the bitter end, but then justice came anyway. Very real! I hope we also get justice in our own life.
PANDORA Comment by: PANDORA - 2006-07-09 16:25
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I agree, great twist, did not see it until it slapped me in the face. For such a short segment you developed the characters very well. Much enjoyed.**
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