The Ferocity of the Animal World -Part 6

It sure is challenging me now in this next part of Bradan Writes Stories (a Medium writer) Seedling Challenge, as Step 6 calls for a 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.

Will ‘Part 6’ of the Bradan Writes Stories Seedling Challenge be my final effort? I guess I’ll find out once I write this Short Story and see where it takes me.

So far I’ve completed Part 1 of the Seedling Challenge which 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.

Part 4 was to write a Postcard Fiction short story. A Postcard Fiction story is between 301 and 500 words, so I upped the challenge by writing exactly 500 words.

Here is the full version of Part 4.

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.

Part 5 was to write a Sudden Fiction short story, which consists of between 501 and 1,000 words and yes I succeeded in writing exactly 1,000 words.

The full version of Part 5 can be found here.

The Ferocity of the Animal World - Part 5

The survival of the fittest

Mama Pig stands strong, hiding Piglet and Rabbit beneath her immense stomach as she stares up into the eyes of the hovering bald eagle. She is waiting to see if this bird is friend or foe.

Mama Pig is not concerned for herself as she is too big to be wary of feeding this great bird of the sky, however, her baby and his friend would make a perfect sized snack for this sky king.

Is that his intention? Is he planning to rob her of her offspring in the same manner as that pesky python?

Well it’ll be over her dead body if he thinks he’s going to take Piglet or even his friend, Rabbit. She’ll defend them both to her very death.

She lowers her head to check that Piglet and Rabbit are sufficiently hidden and then looks back at the eagle, daring him to try.

The eagle is flying above circling the clearing, his screeches painful to her ears and echoing across the forest floor. He sure does have a lot to say but he doesn’t seem to be trying to attack. Is he here to give them a message? A warning of some kind?

Mama Pig begins to take in the world around her, still wary of the big bird above, but also noting the sounds of the surrounding forest. Whereby she remembers the chorus of the flock of lorikeet parrots that were in a nearby tree, she now notes their disappearance, their silence. This in itself should have been a sufficient warning to the threesome as they were frolicking in the clearing, without a seemingly care in this world.

She searches the sky but only the screeching bald eagle can be seen up high. He seems intent on something down wind as he hovers above her one minute and then flitters over to the clearing edge on her right the next. He must see some danger that she is not yet aware of and is trying his dammdest to bring it to her attention.

Swishing her head to and fro, Mama Pig listens to the deepening silence of the surrounding countryside. The chirping of the crickets crescendoing into a musical opera, so loud it too is painful to her ears. The chirping revolves into waves, letting her know that danger is passing them, creeping closer to her position, but she is still unsure of what danger is approaching.

Could it be one of the big cat families stalking her and her little ones? Or maybe a crocodile or are they too far from the riverbank? Whatever it is, the forest is trying to tell her to beware, from the screeching of the bald eagle, to the silence and disappearance of the lorikeets and the crescendo of the chirping crickets.

Something terrifying is coming their way.

She must check it out and discover exactly what it is she is up against and she must prepare to defend her family.

Mama Pig leans her head down to where Piglet and Rabbit are patiently waiting as they look to her for their cue. She gives Piglet a gentle nudge, pushing him from beneath her and continually nudging him in the direction she wants him to take, confident that Rabbit will follow along behind his friend.

With further gentle nudges and quiet snorts, Mama Pig corrals both little ones into a razor grass hump, hoping the sharp blades of the grass will protect them, while she goes to investigate what is terrifying the forest animals. She licks her piglet to let him know she loves him and she won’t be far away.

With this reassurance to her baby, she turns away and as quietly as piggly possible she trots to the edge of the clearing, in the same direction that the eagle, who is still screeching above, is worried about. The direction of the forest silence.

She eases through the bushes at the edge of the clearing, raising her nose skywards and attempting to sniff out the obvious predator but as it is down wind to her, she scents nothing. No clue as to what she’s about to come face to face with.

Moving further into the forest, every sense attuned to the different variations of noise, scurrying and panic that she hears and sees from those she shares her world with.

Off to her left two partridge flutter from the grasses where they’d hidden, flying up to the branches of the nearest tree.

The predator is getting closer.

She follows the direction of the disturbed bush birds, gingerly stepping around the bushes still fluttering from their abrupt abandonment, but there is nothing on the trail in front of her. Where is this beast, that has the forest so stirred up, hiding? She’s sure she has the direction right but there’s nothing to see.

She moves further along the trail, worried now about the distance between her and her baby. Should she turn back, stay closer to the clearing and wait?

But wait for what?

Going by the animals in her vicinity and their reaction, she can only assume this is an apex predator and it is big, whatever it is. She is officially worried.

She freezes, in two minds as to whether she should continue forward or return to the clearing. She raises her head and squeals loudly, a sign to Piglet he needs to let her know he is safe.

She waits in trepidation for his reply and her worries ease a little, as she hears his responding squeal, off in the distance behind her. He is still safe, as is his friend.

She makes the decision to move forward. Not too far mind you but she needs to know what is coming, because it is still headed their way. This is obvious by the unsettled environment surrounding her.

She takes another couple of steps and then freezes once more.

There to her left, the sun glints off the large scales of a python she instantly recognises.

Now onto Part 6, which asks us to write a Short Story of 1,001 to 2,000 words. Would it be too difficult to write exactly 2,000 words? I guess I’m about to find out.

The Ferocity of the Animal World - Part 6

The survival of the fittest

Mama Pig is enraged at the audacity of this python and its stubbornness to continue to stalk her and her baby. How is this possible?

She ponders this dilemma because she needs to find a way to get this nemesis off their trail and for good this time. That beast she can see, silently slithering through the grass, off in the distance, is not going to make a meal of her offspring. Or any other animal if she can help it.

She watches as the bald eagle continues to circle the enemy, heading her way. The eagle is screeching up a storm and warning all animals in the vicinity to take care. Mama Pig is extremely grateful to Eagle and feels guilty that she originally thought of him as her foe, when it’s clear that he is a friend indeed.

She is well aware that without her new friend, she wouldn’t know Python was still so intent in getting his meal.

Slowly and as stealthily as possible, Mama Pig backs out of the bushes she is currently hiding in and heads back down the trail. Her aim is to get back to Piglet and Rabbit and begin to eat dust, placing as much distance as she can between her little family and Python.

She gives a tiny squeak as she enters the clearing, letting Piglet know he can come out of hiding in the grasses. Mama Pig knows that wherever Piglet goes, Rabbit is sure to follow.

Sure enough, Piglet pokes his head out from within the razor grass hump and squeaks to his mama. Mama Pig motions with her head and Piglet rushes to her side. Seconds later Mama Pig looks down and sees Rabbit waiting patiently next to Piglet.

They must leave but as Rabbit won’t be able to keep up, Mama Pig lays down in the dust and nudges at Rabbit, letting her know she needs to climb onto Mama Pig’s back and hold on tight. Rabbit clumsily clampers up and buries herself in the coarse hair that stands straight on the back of Mama Pig’s neck.

And off Mama Pig trots with Piglet in her wake.

Once Mama Pig is happy that Rabbit has a good hold, she hastens the pace, trotting to a pace that she knows little Piglet will keep up. Mama Pig diverts her course, heading to the thicker part of the forest, hoping to lose Python amongst the scents of other forest animals and foliage. Will be it be sufficient to lose him though?

For days the unlikely trio duck and weave through the forest, trotting through muddy swamps and thick foliage, but always from a great distance Mama Pig can still hear the screeching of Eagle, thankful that he is following Python’s path.

Mama Pig and Piglet are growing terribly weary but as this is a race of life and death, they soldier on. Every couple of hours they find a dense area of bushes, preferably in the muddy swamp, and they bunker down for an hour or two to rest. Mama Pig never feels the security of deep sleep as she keeps one eye open, watching and listening for danger. Piglet on the other hand, has total trust and faith in his mama, knowing she will keep him safe and he sleeps the sleep of the dead. Until, that is, Mama Pig nudges him awake once more.

The little family had been on the run for about a week when Mama Pig realises she couldn’t hear Eagle anymore. In fact, she hasn’t heard his screeching at all that day. Finally, it looks like they had outrun their stalker.

Mama Pig slows the pace but wasn’t totally ready to trust just yet. She figures she’ll run at a more leisurely pace for a few hours and if she doesn’t hear any screeching from Eagle in those hours, then she’ll find a good place to settle in for the night and get a proper night’s sleep.

A few hours later, Mama Pig skids to a halt in an unexpected clearing she’s just entered, thinking what a great place to rest this clearing would make. No noise from Eagle is good news and she is truly beat. Around the edges of the clearing are the tasty grass offshoots she loves so much and a leisurely dinner, followed by a night’s long nap are just what she needs.

With the decision made, Mama Pig sinks to the ground and Rabbit gingerly climbs down from her back. Boy, Rabbit thinks to herself, what a wild ride and she is feeling extremely stiff and sore, although she did none of the exercise that Mama Pig and Piglet did. Rabbit knows she just needs to move around a little and join the pigs in a nourishing meal, and she’ll be right as range once more.

Still a little antsy, Mama Pig leaves the clearing and scouts the outskirts for danger. She slowly slinks through the long grass and dense bushland; looking, listening and scenting her world, looking for anything that may harm her and the little ones.

She turns her head to the right as she hears the rattle of the long grass to that side of her. No, it’s truly not possible, is it? Python could not have caught them up!

Mama Pig begins to edge her way in the direction where she heard the noise, treading warily as she goes. A few feet in, lo and behold, she comes across a tiny nest of fur built closely to a tall patch of razor grass. Inside this nest is four tiny baby hairless rabbits and in defence mode at their side, stands Mama Rabbit.

Mama Pig knows this new family is not safe here as Mama Rabbit has made a terrible mistake building her nest in the open like she has. If Python does head this way, Mama Rabbit and her babies are not going to survive.

With this in mind, Mama Pig decides to help Mama Rabbit.

Mama Pig turns her head back in the direction of the clearing and lets out a loud squeal, calling Piglet to her side. She will need his help moving the nest of rabbits.

While she waits for Piglet, Mama Pig scouts around until she finds a suitably dense clump of razor grass. So dense in fact, that it will deter other animals, Python included, from attempting to move through the grass, super sharp and skin shredding that it is.

Perfect.

Piglet arrives at his mama’s side with Rabbit at his heel and realises what Mama Pig wants to do. Piglet snuffles at Mama Rabbit so she knows he means no harm, then gently picks up a tiny newborn rabbit with his mouth and moves it next to Mama Rabbit. Piglet continues the same manoeuvre with the other three newborns and then stands back besides his mama, beaming with pride.

Mama Pig gently scoops up the tiny nest of fur, now that it’s empty, and trots it over to the dense clump of razor grass she had picked out earlier. She forces her snout, getting ripped bloody from the grass, into the middle of a large clump and gently places the nest inside.

As Mama Pig’s bleeding snout ascertains, the tiny newborns will be far safer in this new spot than where they are now.

Once Mama Pig backs out and stands beside the grass clump, Piglet gently lifts one baby rabbit with his mouth and trots it over to his mama, gently placing it by her side. Mama Pig gently lifts the baby, left by Piglet, and places it in the nest, once more taking the cuts to her snout in stride.

Piglet delivers the other three babies to his mama and she repeats the process until all babies are safely tucked away in their nest.

Mama Rabbit hops over to the two pigs and paws at the ground, showing her thanks. She then quickly scurries into the clump of razor grass and curls up with her babies.

With a job well done by the pigs, Mama Pig nudges Piglet back to the clearing and then continues on with her recognisance. On the far side of the clearing she is pleasantly surprised to find a flowing river running and calls to the little ones to come and drink.

Happy that her family is safe, Mama Pig sets about having a feed and then heads to a nice sunny spot in the clearing and lays down her weary head for a much needed sleep. Piglet and Rabbit curl up next to her and they all get the rest they so desperately need.

A few hours after the family fall asleep they are awoken to a noisy commotion happening not all that far away, by the sounds of the thrashing they can hear.

Mama Pig jumps to her feet and pushes Piglet and Rabbit in beneath her massive stomach and listens to try to determine what they are hearing.

Glancing around in concern, Mama Pig realises all the noise is coming from just outside the far side of the clearing. The side with the running river that they drank from last night.

Mama Pig silently moves, nudging Piglet and Rabbit along with her until she finds herself next to an empty rabbit burrow. She gently pushes the little ones into the burrow and gives Piglet a long lick with her tongue, letting him know she needs him to stay hidden, while she goes to investigate the continuing noise they can still hear.

After turning and scouring the clearing for danger, Mama Pig begins to move in the direction of the obvious fight that is occurring off near the river bank. She quietly eases into the forest breaching the side of the clearing and urges herself forward to check out all the fuss.

Maybe she should scoop up her family and just run?

No, it’s not in Mama Pig’s nature to run in fear. She needs to know what the danger is to her family, to make the wiser decisions she needs to make to protect Piglet.

Slowly edging closer, the noise heightening, and the bushes closest to the riverbank are quivering as if in fright. But it’s not fright that has the foliage shaking. No, it’s something bigger than that but what? That’s what Mama Pig is determined to discover.

Step by step she edges closer as her heart begins to pound. She has no idea what she’ll discover on the other side of those bushes and the fear of the unknown is swimming deeply through her veins. She stops and scents the air but other than the usual forest smells, the only new scent she can smell is the stench of her petrification.

Suddenly there is pure silence.

Mama Pig freezes, wondering if the struggle could be over.

No, definitely not, as with a destructive last ditch effort, the fight escalates immensely. Mama Pig’s heart almost jumps out of her chest.

Panting heavily, Mama Pig begins to move again, gaining on the patch of riverbank she is heading to. As she enters the bushes separating her from the riverbank, the noise heightens even further. Steadily moving, nearing the riverbank and she begins to see flashes of violent movement directly in front of her.

Slowly Mama Pig parts the last of the bushes, separating her from the fight, with her damaged snout and peers out in utter astonishment, viewing a sight that makes her wish she could jump up and down and dance with glee.

For there, right before her eyes, is the best sight she could ever wish to see. A sight that calms her frantic heart, soothes her sore snout, and places the biggest smile across her face as she witnesses the fight to the death of her family’s persistent nemesis.

Thrashing before her eyes is the largest saltwater crocodile she’s ever seen and struggling in its mouth is none other than that pesky nuisance of a python.

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 - Completed

6. Short Story: 1,001–2,000 words - Completed

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

I’ve certainly gotten a lot further in this challenge than I thought I would at the very beginning. It’s been a fabulous exercise and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being pushed.

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