A is for Alligator
By David Ries
This paper is being read out of free will. By law, one may not force this story upon another for the side effects include but are not limited to nausea, coughing, crying, vomit, self-harm, criticism, unexpected lost of job, divorce, being dumped, failing your next couple of test, a strange taste of celery developing in your mouth, In-explosive diarrhea, explosive diarrhea, heart failure, stroke, seizures and other medical problems that may not of been stated. Side effects stated previous are more likely to occur by reading this article without proper instruction. To refer to proper instruction read the “A is for Alligator” handbook. All names and characters developed in this story are fictional and are not intended for commercial advertising.
Dedicated to all of those who are willing to read.
Act I
The Origin of Pigeon
Once upon a time, a long time ago, in a time dimension different and yet similar to ours, was an empire. This empire had the land area of Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. The laws in “The Empire” were extremely strict. The dictator, Il Jon Kim, had previously just banned an anti-animals act declaring that all animals in the kingdom were to be killed on the spot. People everywhere were rebelling, but the
government had a strong law enforcement crew. Animals were dieing everywhere. The people were upset. People everywhere were concerned. They know that conflict strengthens bonds and life skills with people, but how would that happen with no animals?
One particular village, which was located along Egypt's eastern coast, wrote a letter to Il Jon Kim, talking about how much they wanted him to withdraw the act;
Dear Mr. Il Jon Kim;
My village, the village of “Good Fish”, think that you should withdraw your animal killing act because that will/is hurting the economy of not just your empire, but of villages within your empire.
Sincerely,
Good Fish Village
Just two days after the letter was sent, the villagers saw a shadow crossing through the valley heading towards the village. It was obvious that the village was going to be burned down in a matter of seconds once the army arrived.
One village boy was wise and left the village to warn his friends, the pigeon family. The pigeon family was located about 2 kilometers south of the village, which was hopefully enough time. What the
boy wasn't expecting was what he would find at the pigeon residence.
The boy was utterly devastated at the sight of the pigeon's home on fire.
The boy's name was Theodore, but the pigeon family had always called him Teddy or sometimes formally, Tedward. Teddy had known the pigeon family ever since he saved Mr. Pigeon from a wolf several years back, but now, that all was nothing. As he watched the nest specifically burn in the tree, he thought about the baby they had just brought into the world. Burning to death, hopeless, utterly hopeless.
What Teddy didn't know, was that the pigeon family were taken to an animal concentration camp by the coast a couple of kilometers down south. There the three pigeons walked chained together being lead to a prison cell with the tigers. 'Hopefully Mrs. Pigeon could sweet talk the tigers' thought Mr. Pigeon, but deep down inside he knew they were done for, but moments after thinking that thought, he saw a sign with the hours of prisoners;
Prisoners are to follow these hours correctly.
Failure to following the times stated below will result in immediate execution.
Wake-up 4:30
Break feast 4:30-5:00
Daily Chores 5:00-8:00
Special Chores/Tasks 8:00-1:30
Lunch 1:30-1:45
Special Chores/Tasks 1:45-6:00
Daily Chores 6:00-9:00
Dinner 9:00-9:30
Lights Out 9:30
Chores and Duties will be assigned by your platoon leader.
The sign sparked an idea in Mr. Pigeon's mind. During the 8-1:30 times, he could slip baby pigeon of into the ocean while they clean the beach when the guard isn't looking.
They got situated in the lions den and were surprised about the lions character. The lion was named Phillip. Phillip had attended a law school in Bangladesh a few years ago and had tried working in Africa to serve for the poor. He was calm and mellow for a lion, he would just lay back in the cave and play so music on his banjo and harmonica. Just by the first couple of days, the pigeons could tell he always had stories to tell. As they were working in the field, he'd always have a slave song for them to chant as they worked.
The Platoon had been doing field work the past couple of days, so the pigeon family had to hold through until some beach work was assigned. Day after day they would wish to wake up to get yelled at to report to the beach shed, but that didn't happen. That didn't happen for three weeks, and in those three weeks, the pigeons had started the construction of a tiny little capsule to put their baby in.
After three weeks of hard, arduous labor, the pigeon family's platoon was finally assigned beach clean-up. That's when in the middle of the day, the pigeon family brought baby pigeon to the coast in a small boat. They placed the baby in with straw and blankets to keep him warm and they said their last farewells. They set the baby off, and watched the boat sail off into the sunset, never to see their child born again. Then Mr. Pigeon saw Mrs. Pigeon drop to the ground. He then turned around and saw a man with a silencer on his pistol pointed right at him.
Act II
The Tale of Alligator
Mother:
Billy, what in tar-nation is that thing?
Billy:
Isn't it quite obvious mother?
Mother:
Yes, but where did you find it?
Billy:
Down in the marshlands mum, down by old man Jerry's
Mother:
Well, that's where you're gonna return it fella
Billy:
slams hand on counter
NO! I wanna keep the poor thang
Mother:
gives Billy that angry mother look that no boy wants to ever see in his lifetime
What was that Billy?
Billy took the thing and ran. He ran before his mama could yell “No dinner for you!”.
Billy went and hid in the barn in the rafters. He took his new prized possession with him and started talking to it like it were human.
Not long after Billy's dad came home to talk to his wife after a hard long day at work. Seconds later Billy could see through a small crack in the floorboards that the day was walking into the barn.
“Billy, You're mom said you had something to show me.” Yelled up the Papa.
“Don't hurt it, It's fragile! You have to promise you won't hurt it!” Yelled Billy back.
“I won't hurt it, just show me what it is!” Reasoned Papa.
Billy crawled down from the rafters and showed his pa the treasure. Pa looked at it and couldn't comprehend what he was seeing. For before him stood with his son, an albino alligator.
“Oh my...” said Pa. “You can keep it, as long as it stays outdoors, and don't hurt nobody, understand?”
“He won't hurt a fly, I'll feed him and love him and take care of him and train him and feed him some more!” exclaimed Billy. “It's not everyday you find an albino alligator in the Nile river.”
Pa looked at him, stroked his hand through his hair and said “No, it is not.”
Years went by and Billy trained his alligator to obey him, to walk, to halt, to sit, to sleep, to play dead and to not hurt people. He would take him everywhere he went, like Jake Blues with his harmonica, or a rich guy with his credit card.
One day, Billy came home from school and immediately went to visit the Alligator named Al, like he always does when he gets out of school. What he saw in the barn was unbearable. Al was on the ground with Billy's sister's arm in his mouth. His sister named Rosalia was laying there, probably unconscious or in shock he figured.
“Al, let go.” Billy commanded.
The alligator did what he was told and let go, but the problem was, the big teeth marks in Rosalia's arm. How was he ever going to break the news to ma, or even worse, Pa.
Then Billy heard the worse sound he's ever heard in his entire life, his Pa's car coming home from work early. Billy ran out front to greet him.
“Hey Pa. How was work? Why are you home early?” Greeted Billy.
“I came home early today because I lost my job. They replaced me with a machine.” replied Pa.
“Do we still have auto or health insurance? No more income?”
“No son, we have to live on our own till I can get a new job, which might be sometime. So, until then, don't get hurt, don't damage the car, and don't let your pet hurt anybody.” Replied Pa.
“Pa, I have a confession about that last part.” Billy took Pa and showed him the inside of the barn. Pa immediately crouched over Rosalia and checked for a pulse. Then he looked at the bite marks. Then he looked at Billy.
“You do realize what this means Billy, right?” Stuttered Pa.
“NO! YOU'RE NOT GONNA KILL AL! HE'S A GOOD PET! HE DIDN'T MEAN TO!” Yelled Billy. “Al, come here, heel!”
Billy ran off with the alligator trailing him closely behind. It wasn't an unusual sight anymore in the town to see Billy running with an albino alligator. Billy ran through town, and ran over the river, and through the woods, and past grandmothers house he did. Then he got to the river.
“Go Al! Be free!” He yelled to his alligator. “Go you stupid alligator! Be free! You're gonna get shot if you stay here!” By then Billy was crying, and Al barely budged. “Go! Be..for! Tear tear, tear he gets tear, tear you!”
He pushes the alligator into the river and throws a stick at it. Then Billy drops to the ground crying, 9 years of bonding with the alligator since he was five. Watching his only friend swim away, never to be seen again.
“Where's the dirty little thing?” Pa was here with a loaded rifle looking around while Billy was still bawling on the ground. “Cheer up boy, the Empire had finally decided to kill all animals, if I wasn't gonna kill him, they would.”
Billy bawled. And bawled. And bawled. And then he started hyperventilating. Then Pa shot a bird from 20 feet away, but Billy didn't know that and then passed out.
Act III
The Tale of Tedward
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Read all about it!
Government marches off to control the Americas today!
Victory is quickly approaching!
That was the headliner when Theodore woke up one day. All his friends called him Teddy or Tedward though. Teddy remembered what the government had done to him three years ago, they had started the no animal policy and he lost his friends, The Pigeons back then. That news article reminded him of the devastation it brought to him. Then Teddy pulled out an old photo album and started to browse the pictures of the Pigeons he had in there. He remembered how he had saved Mr. Pigeon from a pack of wolves as a child and still remembered watching that oak tree burn. Losing his closest friends he's ever had.
He was fifteen now and tomorrow was his sixteenth birthday. In the Good Fish Village, it was traditional for the boy to move out at the age of sixteen. Teddy had been preparing and had constructed a boat to sail the world in.
He went downstairs only to find the kitchen empty and a pie cooling on the window sill. Teddy's mom had always loved baking, and she loved baking the day before even more! For he could smell the other pies in the oven and the cookie dough stored in the fridge.
Teddy strolled right outside to the dock, where his ship was awaiting. It was a fine vessel that he had created with his own bare hands. He took pride in his creation. The ship was even named “The Pigeon”. His luggage was already loaded in the vessel and he was ready to set sail. After spending his whole life in the village of Good Fish, he wanted one last view, so he grabbed his camera and climbed up to the crow's nest. The view was phenomenal from thirty feet up.
He saw the ice cream parlor, and the movie theater. He could point out the police officers walking in and out of the station. The view brought back memories. Then he turned around and saw the ocean. The big old ocean, technically officials called it the Red Sea but to him it was like an ocean.
“That's all I'm going to be seeing the next couple of weeks.” He thought.
Then he heard his mom yell from the porch of the house. “Ted! Come here!”
He came down and went over to his mother.
“You going North or South first?” She asked confused.
“I was thinking South and going to Asia first, then cut through America and come home.”
“But there's war now in America, what are you going to do there?” she asked
“I don't know, but I'll figure it out mother.”
“I hope you do, because I don't want to lose my only son.”
After that they went inside and ate a few sandwiches. Tomorrow was his big day, and today they will even attend a special mass at church for his sixteenth birthday. At the mass, he is suppose to receive a sextant as special gift so he is able to steer his ship at night.
The next day Teddy woke up and dressed into his shiny, brand new sailor's suit. Ready to take on the world. He said he last good-byes to his friends and family, and told them he was heading to explore Asia and he was going to return with goods.
High noon came around faster than Teddy had expected. He looked at the shore and stepped onto the boat. He took one last look at the shore and his family. Then he untied the docking hitch and the ship began to move, he dropped the sails and waved the family good bye.
The feeling of the fresh sea air felt good against his face as he sailed off into the horizon.
Act IV
The Tale Of Pigeon
Name:Pigeon Grade:11 Offense: Setting grounds on fire to study extreme heat effects on agronomy. .
- - -Do not write below this line- - - - - - - -Teacher Signature: Professor Owlton Parent Signature: Mr. Fluckerwings
Pigeon remembered that day as if it were yesterday. The vivid details sprang to life as he unwrinkled the referral. How he wished Ernie Fluckerwings was still around. The day of his death devastated Pigeon. Ernie was the owl that had found a boat five miles south of the village with a baby in it. That baby was Pigeon so he took it in as one of his own. Pigeon had never met his real family and wished that he could've had at least a picture or a note found in the boat.
He grew up in the village of Owlen. Owlen was secret village in the Asian borders of the Empire. They had been hiding from the homicidal humans for quite sometime and weren't planning to be discovered anytime soon. It wasn't a small secret society either, the population was well 100,000 Owls and 1 Pigeon. Pigeon had never seen another pigeon before, so for flight he learned to fly like an owl and for hunting, he learned to hunt like an owl.
Pigeon didn't like having to hunt for his own food so he decided to go to a special school in the community to study agronomy in the region. Then he heard a knock on the door.
“Anybody home?” said a familiar voice.
“Wait, hold on a second.” Replied Pigeon, hiding the referral in a special drawer for the fear of it being stolen was upon him. Then he answered the door.
“Um, Mister.” Started a young owl. Pigeon had not recognized the owl but the voice did sound somewhat familiar, and that puzzled him.
“Yes?” Asked Pigeon in a friendly tone.
“We seem to of lost our Frisbee in your rice fields, can we go get it?” Asked the frightened owl.
“Come on in.” Greeted Pigeon. “Let me warm some tea, or would you prefer fresh milk?” Fresh milk was scarce among the village. There were only three cows in the entire village, and Pigeon was a proud owner of one. He gave milk away for free while the other monopoly tycoons charge ridiculous figures for a small sip. After some time the High School's Newspaper Club had decided to include Pigeon in their paper of cheapest deals of the year.
Fresh Milk
Owlyen 2oz. $34.99
Owlpan 4oz. $89.99
Pigeon 1 gallon Free
The young owls have heard of Pigeon from their parents. The parents of the village are always spreading stories of good deeds Pigeon has done for their people. The 3 young owls decided to go in and to grab a seat around the table.
“What's your names?” Asked Pigeon as they sat around the table.
They all replied respectfully; Owlyen Jr., Owlton, and Owljac.
Pigeon pulled out a newspaper and told the young boys to read it while he would go fetch the frisbee.
Pigeon returned with the frisbee but he had something else in his hands. In his hands were a bucket and the latest form of technology, a yo-yo.
“I have retrieved your frisbee.” Started Pigeon. “And I have also retrieved a yo-yo and a bucket. Three gifts for three young owls.”
“Thank you mister.” Said the children in unison.
“But there is an exception. I will predict on a piece of parchment which each of you will choose and you may only keep the toys if all three of you guess correctly.” Pigeon went to a back room to go write down his prediction.
The young boys stood there and gave each other a puzzled look. “How could he possibly predict what we're going to choose by just serving us milk?”
Pigeon came out with the toys. “Choose wisely” He said.
Owlyen Jr. immediately grabbed the yo-yo. Owlton grabbed the bucket and Owljac grabbed the frisbee. Pigeon pulled the paper out of his pocket and showed the boys what he wrote:
Owlyen Jr. Yo-Yo Owlton Bucket Owljac Frisbee
The young owls were amazed at the Pigeon's skills. 'How did he do it?' They all thought until Owlyen Jr. finally spoke up.
“How did you do that?” the young lad asked.
“It was too easy.” Replied Pigeon. “Owlyen Jr, the son of Owlyen the big business tycoon, of coarse he'd raise you thinking that the newer technology was the best and worth grabbing. Plus I observed how you immediately grabbed the toy section of the newspaper and you quickly drank the milk. Owlton I observed was hesitant this entire time and especially when I had offered him fresh milk to drink, he was the last to grab it. When the newspaper was given to you, I saw he grabbed the prices section to look for deals for a hard worker. Owljac, you came in, you had the nerve to knock on my door to get your frisbee and that's what you were going to get.”
The young owls were amazed and they left stupefied.
Later that week Pigeon heard a knock on his door and he answered it. He did not recognize the owl that stood before him but he answered him as a dear friend.
“Good afternoon Mr. Owlyen. What brings you here on such a busy business day?” Asked Pigeon.
“Have we met? How do you know who I am?” Asked Owlyen.
“No, we have not met, but I can tell by your suit and the recent visit of your son I predicted your arrival.” Pigeon merely replied.
“Yes, my son's recent visit. That is the purpose of this visit, is to thank you for opening my son's eyes. I myself farmed rice in my days of youth and I know what it is like to...be a lower class citizen. Then I had started my businesses and gained so much wealth that I regret for it has spoiled my son in so many ways. That is, until his visit into your house. He had never wanted to be known as rich boy who takes things for granted, but after hearing that you could guess how spoiled he was just by watching he's been scared for the better. At home he asks for no more than he needs and he spends his time more efficiently trying to live up to your level. He has even been asking for stories about you from his friend because your his new role model. Thank you Pigeon.” Stated Owlyen.
“I am not as stated a 'Lower Class Citizen'. I am just a citizen. A society shouldn't be divided by its peoples wealth but its beliefs.” Explained Pigeon. “I appreciate you taking time out of your busy work day to thank me but you have more important things you could be doing. So I thank you for taking time out of your day to see me. Would you like some nice fresh milk?”
Owlyen and Pigeon went inside to drink some nice warm tea. Owlyen told Pigeon to save the milk for those who couldn't afford any.
Act V
“What Does it Mean?”
-Double Rainbow Guy
After three months at sea, Tedward finally spotted mainland off in the distance. He consulted his map and concluded it was Asia. He was excited to finally reach mainland.
The next day he reached mainland and docked at the harbor. It was a nice little harbor he stayed at. They had a nice welcoming little greeter waiting for Teddy as he docked the boat and tied up the sails. It felt good for him to feel mainland for the first time in months. He noticed how the market on the other side of the docks was booming with business. For there was no fishing bans so therefor fish was a free for all.
Unfortunately, Teddy didn't have any money to stay a night at a hotel so he grabbed a tent from the boat and decided to make camp on the outskirts of town, by the sea.
The place he found was nice little campground and there was a cool, nifty little sign that said:
BEACH
NOT FOR OVERNIGHT USE
That made it more pleasurable to set up camp on the beach. He got a quick little fire going as he sat next to his tent. He had learned the guitar during the voyage and was playing some campfire songs to relax. Then after awhile as the coals died down he decided to go turn in. That night, he had the best sleep he has ever had.
The next morning he didn't even want to open his eyes. Teddy was afraid it would ruin the soothing sound of the tides. He's heard stories how birds would chirp at times like these but with no birds that made it hard. He rolled over, but instead of rolling over onto flat ground he ran into something. He opened his eyes and an alligator was laying next to him! Not just any alligator, an albino alligator.
“I ever tell you the tale of the magical beans?” said the alligator.
“HOLY COW! A talking alligator!” yelled Teddy!
“Yes, a talking alligator. Why are you surprised?”
“I've never seen an alligator before, and I've never even seen an albino animal before!”
“That I am, and you are...an albino human?” said the alligator.
“My name is Teddy, and I would assume you have a name?” asked Teddy.
“Yes, My name is Al.” stated the alligator.
Al and Teddy sat there for quite some time talking about their life stories and their difficulties. Al told Teddy how he's escaped death so many times from The Empire and how he was heading east towards freedom. Teddy told Al how he was heading east to explore and told Al about the pigeon family.
(ultra condensed version of what happened next)
They headed eastwards into the forest to look for a tribal chief that would show them the right way to the east without being caught. On the way a hunter followed them and they encountered once and barely got away.
“Do you hear that?” asked Al.
“No, what do you hear?” asked Teddy but before anything else was said an arrow from behind hit a tree right next to them. They turned around and saw the hunter standing there with bow and arrow in hand. Teddy and Al began to run! They ran like there was no tomorrow. Eventually the hunter ran out of arrows and pulled out a ninja sword. Teddy looked behind and saw the hunter was swiftly approaching.
Then out of nowhere a figure jumps out from behind a tree and knocks the hunter out with one kick. Al and Teddy were puzzled.
Pigeon was standing there with a samurai sword in hand on top of the hunter.
“He's out cold, Follow me.” Said Pigeon.
Pigeon took them back to the rice farm for a glass of milk and some tea. He explained the village and how Al would be safe here and would be seen as an equal. Al thought hard about this offer from Pigeon. He was grateful that Pigeon had saved them on such short notice but he didn't want to leave Teddy for the time they had spent together.
“Do you want a day to think about it?” asked Pigeon?
“Yes, and until then is it okay” started Al.
“Yes, You and Teddy may live with me for as long as it takes for you to make up your mind. I have recently had a successful harvest and I will be delivering it to the village tomorrow for if you two would like to come with.” Replied Pigeon in a heartbeat.
They shared tea and exchanged stories that would take too long to describe in such vivid detail. Pigeon explained how he never knew his parents, and then Teddy told them the story of his friends, The Pigeons but neither of the two could connect the dots. They talked about the Empire and how someday it will fall, and if that day will be in their lifetime. They talked about their lives and Pigeon gave them advice on what they should do once they reach their goals. That gave Al and Teddy more hope.
After awhile they ate rice for dinner and decided to call it a night for tomorrow would be a long day delivering rice to the market.
The next day came before they knew it. Al and Teddy woke up at sunrise thinking they could help load the rice into the wagon. So they put all their energy and effort into getting ready as quietly as they could without waking Pigeon, but to their disappointment Pigeon was sitting on the loaded wagon drinking a cup of warm tea. Teddy and Al were bitterly disappointed. So they set forth anyways. Pigeon had been prepared and packed bread for them for break feast.
Then they saw a horse running up from the road behind with loud clanking chains. Sure enough it was the hunter after the alligator and the newly found prize Pigeon. Pigeon immediately made the rice wagon go faster by yanking the horse chains. There was no competition, a single horse with a skinny rider or two horses with three riders plus a wagon full of rice.
BAM! Al turned around and saw a black stick in the hunter's hand with smoke coming out. BAM! Al saw some tiny little things fly out this time. CRACK! The wagon lost a wheel. At that second the wagon flipped sending it's riders and luggage into the woods. Al and Ted were trapped under bags of rice and they could see what was going on.
The hunter unmounted his horse in front of the wagon wreck and gave it a kick. Busted a hole right through the side. Then he pulled the black stick out of the horses saddle and started to look around. Al and Teddy were buried in rice so they were hidden well. Pigeon had gotten up and ran towards the horse wagon. The hunter pointed the stick at Pigeon and the BAM BAM BAM noise was going. Chunks of dirt were flying from the ground as Pigeon ran to the wagon. BAM BAM BAM chunks of wood were flying from the wagon. Then they saw Pigeon step out from behind the wagon with the Samurai sword.
BAM! Pigeon deflected the bullets. BAM! Again! BAM BAM BAM! Pigeon was spinning the sword to deflect the bullets. Each time trying to deflect them just right so they would bounce back and hit the hunter. The hunter was slowly stepping towards Pigeon though, making it harder for him to deflect the bullets. The bystanders were trapped underneath mounds of rice. They were using every last inch in their body to try to get out.
Then they saw the hunter drop the black boom stick and pull out a tinier one from his pocket. Pigeon jumped behind the wagon. He jumped out from the wagon this time with the sword over his head going for the hunter. The hunter shot Pigeon in the chest again. And again. And again. And again. And again. Five times before the sword came splintering down upon the hunters head.
Then there was silence. Absolute silence.
Three hours later a wondering owl found Al and Teddy beneath the rice and dug them out. Then the owl asked what had happened after examining two halves of a hunter and a swiss cheese styled Pigeon. Then after words the owl was devastated for he had heard stories of Pigeon. He offered to take Teddy and Al into town to meet the town people but they were shocked. They couldn't handle meeting new people after the lost of their new friend. So they decided to walk westwards back to Teddy's boat. They took Pigeon's body with them.
Once they reached the ship they tied Pigeon's body to the front bow of the ship. A pigeon they had barely knew, who sacrificed his life, who offered housing and care, who protected them had died tragically. It's a harsh world thought the two on their walk back to the harbor.
Unfortunately, on the way back to the harbor Al got a disease and was paralyzed from the neck down. Teddy hoisted Al on his back and tried carrying him back but Al died that next night alongside with Teddy at the bonfire. Teddy was crying, he had lost two good friends, they were going to have so much fun ahead and now they were just gone. He couldn't take it anymore. He loved the two so much, Pigeon even sacrificed himself for Teddy and Al.
Teddy pulled out the pistol he had stolen from the hunter and pointed it to his head.
“Is this it?” He thought. “Is there purpose anymore? They were my new family!” He began yelling into the dark woods! “WE HAD SO MUCH AHEAD OF US! AND NOW? IT'S ALL GONE!” He was he unlocked the safety mechanism on the gun. “IT'S NOT WORTH HAVING FRIENDS WHEN THEY ALL DIE ON YOU!”
“Is it?” said a mysterious voice. Teddy looked around.
“WHO IS THIS?!?!?!” Yelled Teddy. “I'M GONNA SHOOT IF YOU DON'T SHOW YOURSELF!”
Then he saw the voice. It was the ghost of Pigeon standing before him.
“Are you really going to do this?” Asked the ghost.
Teddy stood there. He did not reply.
“After I sacrificed my life so you could live. You're just going to kill yourself?” Questioned Pigeon. “You have a destiny to fulfill, for mine has been. For my destiny was to make yours possible and I have succeeded. No matter what happens, you have destiny to fulfill.”
Teddy put the pistol down on the ground and listened to the wise old Pigeon.
“For someday, you will be the one to bring down the Empire and let the freedom of animals be everywhere again. Then people everywhere will be able to learn life lessons and be able to bond with creatures of all sorts again, like you have experienced.”
“But all animals for surely die.” Said Teddy.
“Yes, all animals die, but the spirit in the human lives on. The lessons that the animal has taught lives on and will not be forgotten. So Teddy, live on, continue your quest and destiny and fate will guide you. Don't let the death of Al and I bring you down. Up here we are proud of what you will accomplish.” Said the Pigeon
“But how will I ever possibly take control of The Empire?” Asked Teddy in utter confusedness.
Then the ghost of Pigeon faded off into the distance while the body was still there. Teddy tied Pigeon's body to his boat as reminder that all animals and humans have a connection with love.
