Attack!

by Josephine Croser

  Dagger-mouth focused all he could on his ears and nostrils. Sound and scent — they would do the trick.

  There now. Ready. Go for it.

  ATTACK!

  Dagger-mouth tried.

  His brain told and told his muscles to go.

  But coldness was taking over now.

  The prey had moved.

  Dagger-mouth was not certain which way it had gone.

  King of the hunters.

  Not lurking now.

  Out hunting.

  Yes, focused and poised to attack — that’s what he was.

  But what was it that he was focused on again?

  * * *

  Splash.

  A crocodile went into the water and swam away.

  From a reed, somewhere between the blanket of dust and the water, a lone frog began to call.

  Croak, croak.

  Then, softly at first, from across the pool, a second frog replied with its song of life.

  Croak, croak. Croak, croak. Croak, croak …