The plains are verdant after the rains, and the adventurous foraging is on.

The weekend is here! So is the family picnic with parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the grand folks of this close-knit extended family. The little boy Pachy, he stays close to the mother listening to adult conversation. Great Uncle teases him much to his dismay and everybody’s amusement with a new moniker, Mamma’s Boy. Pachy does not like this, but his eyes grow wider upon hearing about those big moving things; circles make them move to different places. Pachy thinks his circles only keep him in one place, and that is close to his Mamma.

“Those moving things often come in files,” continues Great Uncle, “I would be careful to stay out of their way. They have creatures hanging on them. Most seem benign, and they just want to know our way of life, while the others….” he trails off.

“What about the others?” Pachy asks. But everyone’s mulling over the inquisitive folks, and they voice their opinions..

Mamma is used to curiosity, and she likes living and letting live despite the intrusion. After all, close to home Aunt Ellie is the most curious one, and Mamma does not mind. She knows how to guard her privacy. A few other family members mind the invasion of privacy very much. But the benign creatures in the moving things like to watch their ways, and they harmlessly get excited just looking at this group of picnickers. Some family members feel flattered to watch the creatures falling over themselves in adulation.

Then, it is time for the jumbo salad of the rarest greens.

Pachy repeats his question, but gets no answers. Today, this family of vegetarians has gathered to feast. Pachy grumbles silently that food has taken precedence now for all except him. He only wants to know about the others.

Mamma reaches closer to lunch. Pachy, somewhat bruised with his recent title, decides not to follow.

In the near distance, he sees the slow roll of the things approaching. The day is here, and he is no longer going to be Mamma’s boy. If no one’s going to tell him about the others, he will find out for himself. He slowly inches away from the group. Mamma is oblivious, because she does not think Pachy will ever leave her.

A plume of smoke and a hint of dust suddenly obscure Pachy’s vision. He feels something whizz past him, and it nearly clips his ears. That’s when he hears Great Uncle warning voice like a loud trumpet, “Get away Pachy! These are the malevolent ones, Move!”

On his fours, Pachy hurries to his mother, as she rushes to protect him. Together, they all get deeper and behind the green to continue lunch as though nothing happened.

Despite the warm sun, Pachy remembers the creatures with a shiver. Some hung out of windows, while others popped through a roof. Their appendages held something long that made loud staccato sounds. He admits to himself that these creatures scare him a bit with cold and cruel expressions.

Pachy and family continue to socialize, although they stay cautiously hidden. The big things with the hostile creatures slowly roll away, He recalls the sounds he heard and can imitate them perfectly. After all, it is genetic. His whole clan is well renowned for their mnemonic skills.

Then Pachy goes to the wise Great Uncle for understanding and perfectly mimics the sounds, ” Bang, Bang!” He continues after a brief pause,”Terrible marksmanship! You missed a baby elephant!”

©IK 2019