Kalyke was roaming the water's edge, hopping in especially shallow areas to see how big of a splash he could make or swatting at tadpoles, biting mosquitoes and dragonflies, and all manner of fun games.  Kal was doing a great job at paying attention to all sorts of things, but mostly whatever just showed up directly in front of him.  Everything was new and fun so he didn’t have to look very far.  

Several minutes later he was doing the same thing only slowly making his way farther from the protection of his grandfather.  They were out of sight but that’s ok cause Kal wasn’t looking behind him to worry about that.  Unfortunately, something was watching him.  One foolish pup all alone.

A tiger ran from the bushes towards him and with a howling cry out for help Kal ran in the only direction possible which was to leap into the water!  Swimming lessons came early but luckily with the desire to run all his paws were working and kicking hard.  It wasn’t eloquent swimming but the boy was in the water.  As he swam or was pulled along by the river he kept up his concern calling for ‘grampa’ while watching the giant cat.

Swimming was no problem for the cat and it charged in after him. Luck was so far saving the boy.  The tiger’s weight drove it deeper into a boggy mud mess than the small pup had to deal with.  Branches already stuck in the mud made the agile cat far less agile and the water was moving him farther downstream, back in the direction of the family.  The tiger finally made it into deeper water and was gaining ground on the boy.  Kal looked over his shoulder at the cat and gave his best snarl, then swallowed it down staring into the tiger's eyes.  Dead dead dead!
“Helppp!”

"Speech"

Kore is dozing in a sunlit patch of grass near the group of pups and adults. The warm afternoon had made the already tired pup even drowsier and he had found the perfect spot to stretch out. The sun light carries into the pup’s dreams and fills them with happy activities. Occasionally, this causes the pup’s legs to twitch and lips to move while he sleeps as he growls at all the different creatures he finds. The galaxy clad pup is chasing a big fluffy rabbit in a sunlit field when a cloud suddenly blocks out the sun. Fear grips his heart as the rabbit morphs into bigger, scary creature and with giant flashing teeth. Kore awakens with start and immediately jumps to his paws. Heart still racing, the purple pup strains his ears, trying to figure out why he is scared.

Then he hears Kal’s voice calling for help and Kore is racing in the direction of his brother. The galaxy pup makes it to the shoreline and races along it, frantic eyes searching for his brother. Dread sinks a rock into his gut when he finds Kal franticly splashing in an attempt to put distance between him a large cat. The tiger is focused on the pup, speeding ever closer to the small body and an easy meal. Casting his blue eyes to the ground, Kore searches for something to distract the tiger. Spying a large pebble, the galaxy hued boy runs over to it and glances back to the tiger. He tries to calculate the trajectory but, in the end, just kicks the pebble as hard as he can in the direction of the swimming cat.

Eyes follow the flying rock and… BANG! Right on its head! The tiger blinks and looks to the shoreline and Kore tries to put on a big, tough act. He snaps and snarls, dancing along the edge of the water, trying to make a big fuss so the tiger will come to him. It works. Maybe a little too well. Kal has drifted further away while the cat weighs its options and, when it sees this, decides the pup on the shore is an easier target. Large body turns as the tiger makes it way toward Kore. Eyes dart from Kal to the cat and he hopes that his brother will be safe. The pup stands his ground, snarling as fiercely as his little voice can.

When the tiger gets closer, Kore backs up, trying to get the cat out of the water and while also keeping it away from the other pups. Giant paws hit land and the galaxy hued pup stares death in the eyes… and he does not flinch.


"Kore Regni"