08gazelle80

==The Gazelle==

The cicada made his way to a beautiful oasis in the desert. Flora lined the edges of the ponds, and the moonlight reflected off the water’s surface. At the nearest pond stood a gazelle, gently lapping up a drink.

“Hello! Nice to meet you Mr. Gazelle! This is a lovely place you have here.”

The gazelle looked down at the cicada with a hint of disdain. “Yes, I know it is. Who are you, and why have you come?”

“I”m a cicada that is looking for my home. The clever rat sent me here,” said the cicada cheerfully.

“Hrm. He did, did he? I shall have to speak to him about that.” The gazelle did not look particularly pleased. He crinkled his nose as he asked, “What is that incessent buzzing noise?”

The cicada blushed. “Oh, that's me. I’m just so excited to finally have found a lovely place to live.”

The gazelle startled and blinked. “You are going to live ... here? With me? Whatever gives you that idea?”

“Oh!, well..” the cicada stammered. “Its just that there is such a lovely amount of flora here, and wonderful ponds. And... Ahem... well gazelles don’t eat cicadas, and since you live here, it must be pretty free of human activity.”

The gazelle gave a snort and laughed haughtily. “Is that what you think? Silly bug. I can live wherever I please, despite the humans. You see, I am the most dexterous of all of Egypt’s animals! Yes, they try to catch me, and they hunt me in enormous groups!” He was pleased to see the cicada’s eyes widen with fright, so he continued. “They try to trap me at the water’s edge, but I am so skilled I merely leap to the other side!”. And with this, the gazelle bounded across the water. “They have to run around, but then I leap right back!”, and he glided through the air, landing gracefully where he started. “Yes, they tire quickly and give up. But they certainly do show themselves from time to time.”

“Dear me,” exclaimed the cicada.

“And with that racket you are making, I suspect they would quickly find you as well. Look around, little bug! There are many roads that join here! Do you not think people travel these roads?”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that,” the cicada said, blushing with embarassment.

“Of course not. You had better rethink your plans.”

The gazelle lifted his head, and a smirk crossed his lips. “In fact, I have just the suggestion for you.”

“You do? Oh I would be so grateful!” cried the cicada.

“Yes. A high spirited otter has a home that is almost as lovely as mine. Its filled with ponds and flora, though, the arrangement to me does feel a bit...artificial. Anyway, its off to the west of here. A bit of a hike. Across the long water. The otter’s home is nestled in quite the canyon of rock, and you’ll most likely find him sleeping by the fire nestled in the back. He thinks that altar is his throne I think.”

“Wonderful! I will head there now. Thank you Mr. Gazelle!” replied the cicada gratefully.

As he turned to leave, the gazelle muttered a curious thing... “just be sure to address him properly...as His Highness”. The cicada was pondering this as he headed off.

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

____________________________________________________

Previous Tale parts:

Bullfrog: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/16frog091

Fennecs: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/76fennecs381

Desert Rat: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/937rat626