The Ferocity of the Animal World -Part 4

The halfway point in Bradan Writes Stories (a Medium writer) Seedling Challenge, calls for a Postcard Fiction short story.

Here is the original challenge Bradan put together for anyone who is interested in following along or even wanting to test the waters.

This is my ‘Part 4’ of the Bradan Writes Stories Seedling Challenge.

Part 1 of the Seedling Challenge was to write a Dribble. A Dribble is a flash fiction short story of 50 words and is harder to write than it sounds, but it’s also a lot of fun and a great sense of achievement when you succeed.

Go ahead, give it a try!

Here is my Part 1 Challenge entry : My Dribble and is the beginning of my fiction story.

The Ferocity of the Animal World

The survival of the fittest

The large python stalked the small piglet through the undergrowth, its skin undulating in stealthy silence.

With a resounding squeal, the piglet fought a hard fight as the python coiled tightly around its midsection, when suddenly the piglet’s mother flew towards the dangerous python and ferociously attacked in indignant fury.

Part 2 of the Seedling Challenge is a Drabble, which is a flash fiction short story of 100 words and to make it more interesting Bradan’s challenge asks that we build on our previous Dribble from Part 1 of the challenge.

By continuing on with Part 1’s Dribble, my fiction story will begin to build, expanding creatively into a longer fiction short story.

To read Part 2 in its entirety, please click on this link.

The Ferocity of the Animal World - Part 2

The survival of the fittest

With the continuous squealing of her baby ringing in her ears, Mama Pig’s fury knew no bounds. She attacked with the ferociousness of a ‘she wolf’ to protect her precious baby.

Hoofs flying, teeth gnashing, Mama Pig stomped and trampled the back of the large python as it tried to slither out of her reach, but there was to be no relief from the torment and pummelling it was receiving.

When a hoof landed on the snout of the snake’s nose, the snake opened its mouth to hiss in agony, suddenly forgetting the tasty meal it held in its mouth.

Part 3 of the Seedling Challenge is to write a Microfiction, which is between 101 and 300 words long. I’m going to attempt to write a Microfiction short story of exactly 300 words and it will be a continuation of my Dribble in Part 1 and my Drabble in Part 2.

The Ferocity of the Animal World - Part 3

The survival of the fittest

With a final squeal of fright, Piglet stumbled to his feet, fleeing into the undergrowth, heart racing as he ran the race of his life. The piglet could hear his mama snorting behind him as they rushed to safety, leaving the snake behind.

It was only when Mama Pig gave a breathless snort that they began to slow their racing feet, taking cover under a large weeping willow tree, hiding behind the curtain of leaves draping the shadowed ground.

The tiny piglet parted the sweeping boughs with his nose, peering out into the distance, watching for the sunlight to glint off slithering scales. He let out a snort of glee when he realised they had outrun the giant legless lizard and grunted in surprise when his mama laid her hoof upon his rump, giving him a kick.

That backside kick was a reminder from Mama to be silent. That snake was old and wise and Mama Pig is well aware it could be stalking them from a different direction. Her young piglet however, is not wise in the ways of the savageness of the animal kingdom and if he’s not careful, he’ll not grow older to experience his own aged wisdom.

After waiting an indeterminate period of time and seeing no signs of a slithering enemy, Mama Pig led her piglet from under the curtain of tree branches and further into the forest. After a race for their lives they both discovered they were ravenous and headed out in to the wild in search of food.

Piglet wandered into a bushy shrub, delighted to find a rabbit hiding within its confines. He chased the rabbit from the bush and into a nearby clearing, where he pounced upon its back, pinning it to the ground with his two tiny front hoofs.

Now Part 4 is to write a Postcard Fiction short story. A Postcard Fiction story is between 301 and 500 words, so I’m going to try for exactly 500 words just for a little bit of an extra challenge.

So without further ado, I hope you enjoy my Postcard Fiction short story, which is a carry on of Parts 1, 2 and 3.

The Ferocity of the Animal World - Part 4

The survival of the fittest

Mama Pig snorts angrily at her baby for playing with his food and promptly pushes Piglet roughly to free the rabbit.

Piglet rises to his feet and glances at the rabbit still frozen in fear. He trots to the rabbit’s side and uses his nose to give it a little nudge but the rabbit continues to shake in fear, too scared to move.

Piglet’s sad that he’d traumatised the tiny creature and gave it a further nudge but the rabbit is just plain terrified. Piglet decides to give it a little time, to teach the rabbit that he could be trusted. He’d prefer to befriend this tiny hairball, rather than eat it. Piglet sure gets lonely at times with just his mama for company and would love a young friend to play with.

With this in mind, Piglet gently lays by the rabbit’s side and waits. Every few seconds he tilts his head and gives the rabbit a gentle nudge. He then faces forward, places his head on his front hoofs and watches the world go by, before turning and nudging Rabbit once more.

While patiently waiting, the sun begins to shimmer between the leaves of the surrounding trees and bathes them in its golden rays. They both begin to relax and stretch out luxuriously in the glorious warm golden rays.

As one, they roll onto their sides and snuggle in closer as they enjoy the warmth and comfort.

Mama Pig smiles at the scene playing out before her own eyes. Who’d have thought of such a strange friendship. Her baby and what should’ve been his prey, cuddled up together like they were born litter mates. It makes Mama Pig happy.

Happy but not relaxed. Piglet may have let his guard down but Mama Pig is still aware of their recent close call. She prowls the edges of the clearing keeping constant guard, only allowing her gaze to wander for the few seconds she takes to eat some of the delicious new grass shoots, as she passes on her rounds.

Piglet, on the other hand, has forgotten all about his hunger, what with his joy of making a new friend.

Eventually, Mama Pig nudges Piglet awake, snorting at him to remind him to eat. Piglet raises himself from his slumber, nudges his new friend and wandering to the edge of the clearing he begins to feed on juicy grass shoots.

It wasn’t long before Rabbit rises and hops over to Piglet’s side, where she too enjoys the succulent grass shoots. They silently gnaw away, the only sound the gnashing of their teeth as they chew their delicious meal.

Tummy satiated, Piglet and Rabbit begin to chase each other around the clearing. That is until they hear the fiercest screech and look to the sky to see a bald eagle hovering over their clearing, peering down at the two small animals.

Piglet and Rabbit know that sound and both rush to hide under Mama Pig’s hefty girth, shaking in sheer terror.

For those that are following along with Bradan’s challenge, here are the steps to this challenge in Bradan’s own words :

Stage Breakdown:

Try not to skip around and start at the beginning. Grow and develop your story in stages but remember, have fun!

1. Dribble: 50 words (Optional start) - Completed

2. Drabble: 100 words - Completed

3. Microfiction: 101–300 words - Completed

4. Postcard Fiction: 301–500 words - Completed

5. Sudden Fiction: 501–1,000 words

6. Short Story: 1,001–2,000 words

7. Novelette: 2,001+ words (Optional hardcore ending)

I’m loving that I made it through the halfway point.

Please click the link below my name to read more of my work. I would also like to thank you for taking the time to read this today and for all your support.

If you enjoy this piece, you may enjoy this one too.

Please visit my website if you'd like more information on my newly published book, Battle Angel : The Ultimate She Warrior.

Originally published on Medium