43otter420

==The Otter==

The cicada was in high spirits as he strolled down the lane towards the otter’s home. It was lined with lovely flowers and shrubs, and a fountain’s waters danced high into the air. He passed through the opening of the valley, and delighted to see many ponds lined with lilies. Surely, he thought, this is a place he could get used to! Hopefully, the otter would be amenable to having a guest.

He strolled up to the flaming alter, and saw a peaceful otter curled up and fast asleep. The snoring was audible even over the noise of the crackling fire. He was also muttering something about gnawing on boards, which didn't make much sense to the cicada.

“Hi there! I’m--”

“Oh!”, snorted the otter, “who comes to court at this hour?” He sat up, and rubbed his eyes, which widened upon seeing his guest.

“Court?” The cicada looked around, confused.

“Well, yes! I’m the King of the Valley, so you must be here to be a part of my court! Welcome! Lets see...you need a position.” The otter stretched, and paced around the cicada, sizing him up. “I know! You will be my Royal Jester! I have always wanted a jester! Come now!” , he said clapping, “make me laugh!”

The cicada was speechless.

“Well, Jester? You are supposed to make the court laugh. Hrm. You are obviously new at this.”

“Well, yes, you see sir...”

“Your HIGHNESS!”, the otter corrected him sternly.

“Yes, your highness...ugh.. I am a bit lost at the moment, and I’m looking for a new home...”

“Well, not anymore! Now you are a part of the Royal Court of the Valley! Come! Lets play in the pond to celebrate!” And with that, the otter bounced off to the nearby lake and started to swim around on his back. The cicada hopped over, still not sure what to make of this otter.

Whoosh

The otter splashed a huge wave of water towards the cicada, which quickly washed over him, tumbling him through a patch of grass, and left him spluttering and coughing.

“HAhaha! Yes, Jester, you are funny, I knew it!” The otter jumped out of the pool, and shook his fur dry. He turned to the cicada, and in a very serious manner said, “now its your turn to pick a game.”

The cicada was trying to wipe mud off himself. This was not quite the company he had in mind. Back at the University, he liked to play with the other cicadas. They would sing together, and play guessing games imagining what kinds of fun things they could do to the scientists with their own laboratory equipment. But things were definately more laid back. He drifted back from his memories, and saw the otter was laying on his belly, tapping his claws on the ground impatiently. He knew he had to think fast.

“Its not play time yet, Your Highness. Its time for business.”

The otter cocked his head to the side, “What do you mean, little Jester? What business? My things are in order...”

“Well, the Gazelle sent me here you see, and I thought you might want to send word back that--”

“Oh? He did? That Gazelle! He is such a thoughtful Earl of my Court. I shall have to thank him. Hrm... “ The otter rolled over onto his back and pawed up at the sky as he mumbled to himself... “What to do...what to do...Aha! I know!”. With that, he sprang to his feet. “We’ll throw a party! Yes yes, lets do it! A huge party! We will gather the entire Court of the Valley!”

“Oh, superb idea, your Majesty,” said the cicada, wondering what he had just gotten himself into.

“Yes! and you shall go deliver the invitations of course!”

“Of course,” agreed the cicada. “Shall I go back to the Gazelle then?”

“NOoooooOO!” whined the otter. “Its a party for him! He mustn’t know first! Go tell the Ibis! I must have my Ibis!” Suddenly he lowered his voice to a whisper. “They like to be prompt, which you can understand little one.” The cicada had no idea what that meant.

“So go TELL them!”, the otter shouted again. “The party will be tomorrow night! Hurry, mustn’t keep them waiting, they like to travel a lot, so they need to know *now*.”

“Sooo...where can I find them?” the cicada prodded delicately.

“You don’t KNOW? Hahaha!” The otter bounced back towards the fire, and curled up. “Why, Ibis always live near water, and my Royal Flock is no different. They do like that bridge though, easy to catch the fishes there. Stupid fishes.” He yawned. “Yes, go see them. They have a lovely little house there. Just up the big water a ways.”

The cicada didn’t have to ask again. He bowed, and scampered off, and ran as fast as he could away from that otter. Hopefully finding the ibis would be easier than dealing with the crazy otter.

Head to his next stop to continue his tale...