До Адама

           InBig-Tooth’sdaythehalf-mendreamed,andwhenthedreamswerebadtheyhowledintheirsleep.NowI,themodern,havelaindownwithBig-Toothanddreamedhisdreams.

           Thisisgettingalmostbeyondthegripoftheintellect,Iknow;butIdoknowthatIhavedonethisthing.AndletmetellyouthattheflyingandcrawlingdreamsofBig-Toothwereasvividtohimasthefalling-through-spacedreamistoyou.

           ForBig-Toothalsohadanother-self,andwhenhesleptthatother-selfdreamedbackintothepast,backtothewingedreptilesandtheclashandtheonsetofdragons,andbeyondthattothescurrying,rodent-likelifeofthetinymammals,andfarremoterstill,totheshore-slimeoftheprimevalsea.Icannot,Idarenot,saymore.Itisalltoovagueandcomplicatedandawful.IcanonlyhintofthosevastandterrificvistasthroughwhichIhavepeeredhazilyattheprogressionoflife,notupwardfromtheapetoman,butupwardfromtheworm.

           Andnowtoreturntomytale.I,Big-Tooth,knewnottheSwiftOneasacreatureoffinerfacialandbodilysymmetry,withlong-lashedeyesandabridgetohernoseanddown-openingnostrilsthatmadetowardbeauty.Iknewheronlyasthemild-eyedyoungfemalewhomadesoftsoundsanddidnotfight.Ilikedtoplaywithher,Iknewnotwhy,toseekfoodinhercompany,andtogobird-nestingwithher.AndImustconfessshetaughtmethingsabouttree-climbing.Shewasverywise,verystrong,andnoclingingskirtsimpededhermovements.

           ItwasaboutthistimethataslightdefectionaroseonthepartofLop-Ear.