The Crane and the Hippo

Egret on Hippo

The Crane and the Hippo.

“You know” said Amanda Crane to her husband Phillip, “it's been awhile since we had a good Preen. All you've brought home lately was some scrawny Tiger fish, so tough and full of bones, Isabella almost choked on it, and some frogs.

“Mind you”, she continued in a somewhat whining voice, “I am not complaining. I know that the Kingfishers are very aggressive these days, and since those two young human boys have built their floating thing, the competition for Preen has been fierce, particularly since those white boys sold them some hooks and line.

Maybe you should find another spot, a better platform, from which to try your luck.”

Phillip Crane just mumbled something, which sounded like “I'll give it a try.”

He thought to himself: “I have an idea from where to fish.” and with some nonchalant wing beats he flew off.

It did not take long and he reached the bend in the river, where a pod, a whole family of Hippopotamuses lazed around.

“I never know what the plural of Hippopotamus is” thought Phil. “Is it 'Hippopotami'? Or Hippopotamusses?” Phil just was not a Latin Scholar.

“Oh well” he mused: “I'll just stick with their nick name and call them 'Hippo'.”

He loved this river and followed its course, although a straight line, cutting off several slings which the river took, would have been faster.

In the curves and turns the river took, he could sail and swing like a youngster.

Finally he got to the “Place of the many Hippos.”

He turned some almost lazy loops and finally settled on one of the Hippos, whose whole back stuck from the water.

“That'll do” Phillip thought. “All I need now is to see some Preen.

He was so intent on scanning the water in front, that he almost missed the sister Hippo coming ever closer. Coming closer, not fast, because Hippos do not move “Fast.”

He more “heard” and “felt” the bow wave.

He glanced over his shoulder.

One second more and it would have been too late.

Just as he made one desperation take-off, the thought crossed his mind:

“Hippos are vegetarians! What in Hell does this one want from me?”

And so it came about that Phillip got away with a scare, but without a Preen.

This is a good place from which to spy Preen, Phil thought.

Almost missed Sister-Hippo!

She moved fast for a Hippo!

One gigantic "Snap" and

if Phillip Crane had not been quick on the up-take,

he might have been a Goner.

                            So, Phil got away with a scare

but still without a Preen
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If you check out this spot tomorrow, 
there'll be some more interesting stuff.