Білий ікол

The Lair

           Thenheturneddeliberatelyandtooktherightfork. Thefootprintwasmuchlargerthantheonehisownfeetmade,andheknewthatinthewakeofsuchatrailtherewaslittlemeatforhim. 

           Halfamileuptherightfork,hisquickearscaughtthesoundofgnawingteeth. Hestalkedthequarryandfoundittobeaporcupine,standinguprightagainstatreeandtryinghisteethonthebark. OneEyeapproachedcarefullybuthopelessly. Heknewthebreed,thoughhehadnevermetitsofarnorthbefore; andneverinhislonglifehadporcupineservedhimforameal. ButhehadlongsincelearnedthattherewassuchathingasChance,orOpportunity,andhecontinuedtodrawnear. Therewasneveranytellingwhatmighthappen,forwithlivethingseventsweresomehowalwayshappeningdifferently. 

           Theporcupinerolleditselfintoaball,radiatinglong,sharpneedlesinalldirectionsthatdefiedattack. InhisyouthOneEyehadoncesniffedtoonearasimilar,apparentlyinertballofquills, andhadthetailflickoutsuddenlyinhisface. Onequillhehadcarriedawayinhismuzzle,whereithadremainedforweeks,aranklingflame,untilitfinallyworkedout. Sohelaydown,inacomfortablecrouchingposition,hisnosefullyafootaway,andoutofthelineofthetail. Thushewaited,keepingperfectlyquiet. Therewasnotelling. Somethingmighthappen. Theporcupinemightunroll. Theremightbeopportunityforadeftandrippingthrustofpawintothetender,unguardedbelly. 

           Butattheendofhalfanhourhearose,growledwrathfullyatthemotionlessball,andtrottedon. Hehadwaitedtoooftenandfutilelyinthepastforporcupinestounroll,towasteanymoretime. Hecontinueduptherightfork. Thedayworealong,andnothingrewardedhishunt. 

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Roboto Lora
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