До Адама
Chapter VIII
Itswungaroundtothesideandthenoninfront.Itsteethwerenottied,andthenextthingitdidwastosinkitsteethintoLop-Ear’ssoftandunprotectedstomach.Heletoutascream,nearlyfell,andclutchedabranchviolentlywithbothhandstosavehimself.Thevinearoundhisneckbroke,andthepuppy,itsfourlegsstilltied,droppedtotheground.Thehyenaproceededtodine.
Lop-Earwasdisgustedandangry.Heabusedthehyena,andthenwentoffalonethroughthetrees.IhadnoreasonthatIknewforwantingtocarrythepuppytothecave,exceptthatIWANTEDto;andIstayedbymytask.ImadetheworkagreatdealeasierbyelaboratingonLop-Ear’sidea.NotonlydidItiethepuppy’slegs,butIthrustastickthroughhisjawsandtiedthemtogethersecurely.
AtlastIgotthepuppyhome.IimagineIhadmorepertinacitythantheaverageFolk,orelseIshouldnothavesucceeded.Theylaughedatmewhentheysawmeluggingthepuppyuptomyhighlittlecave,butIdidnotmind.Successcrownedmyefforts,andtherewasthepuppy.HewasaplaythingsuchasnoneoftheFolkpossessed.Helearnedrapidly.WhenIplayedwithhimandhebitme,Iboxedhisears,andthenhedidnottryagaintobiteforalongtime.
Iwasquitetakenupwithhim.Hewassomethingnew,anditwasacharacteristicoftheFolktolikenewthings.WhenIsawthatherefusedfruitsandvegetables,Icaughtbirdsforhimandsquirrelsandyoungrabbits.(WeFolkweremeat-eaters,aswellasvegetarians,andwewereadeptatcatchingsmallgame.)Thepuppyatethemeatandthrived