Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Fruit (10/10/05)
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TITLE: The Little Bat That Could... | Previous Challenge Entry
By B Brenton
10/17/05 -
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Swish, swish, swish
"Ark, ark, ark, ark..."
The city had become alive, enthusiastic animal chattering drowning out the Sydney public below, in a nightly sweep for fruit - in which they ate, mated and occasionally fought (the larger bats were infamous for that).
These larger bats ran in packs and dominated the scene. Every fruit bat in the southern hemisphere knew that if one of the black bats were to be in a tree, then it had become his property for the night and the young were forced to scavenge dumpsters for their nectar.
Holding a mango skin in his front claws, a brown and yellow streaked youngster rejoiced in what little success that hours of searching had fulfilled. All until a wiry furred black figure landed ungracefully beside him on the ledge of the blue dumpster.
They glared at each other.
A stand off.
Normally it was expected of the littler bat to drop the scraps then fly hastily away.
Not this time. Each of God's creatures had a right to his portion, even him.
The black bat had more than enough of his portion. The trees might have dried up for the night, but it didn't change the fact that he was immensely fat for a bat from overeating and overindulgence.
Indeed the traces of sticky fruit morsels sewn into the bats whiskers were evidence of this, like a kid caught sneaking cookies from the pantry by telltale crumbs dotting his face.
No wonder he was lopsided when he flew.
They both let out an intimidating screech, the mango skin dropping from the yellow streaked bat's teeth and starting a chain-reaction as the neighbors parallel cursed loudly, a dog began howling and a car alarm sounded.
'Blackie' made the first move, flying on top of him, scratching the little one's body with his talons.
The smaller bat hid his head under his wing and made an escape by spreading his wings out and rising into the black sky.
Was a piece of second-hand fruit really worth attacking his adversary?
For all the other smaller bats he had to do something.
He rose higher and flew over the top of the bat, his screeches reaching an ear piercing level.
Approaching the black bat's head he bit back, fangs brushing wiry fur.
The larger bats eyes glowed with rancor.
You dare to hurt me?
The question came up in the bats subconscious again. Was this worth it?
He always had food. Even tonight, he'd found these fruit carcasses before the darkness had elapsed.
There was always going to be more fruit. He'd get his portion, fight or no fight.
He had his next tactic...
Bye!
He rose higher and flew away from the scene of the incensed black bat, which wasn't going to give up the scare and now was in hot pursuit.
Frantically the yellow bat started flapping his scrawny wings to outrun him.
When it was apparent that he couldn't, he swooped down and let a talon hold on to a telephone wire.
The larger bat, glaring with menacing eyes, came and did the same, stretching across two of them.
As his two talons touched the two wires at once ¨C it happened.
Zzzzap!
Fiiizzzz!
Tzzzzzzzzzzzzzzsssssss!
The pursuit was over and the black bat stayed lifeless on the wires.
Without looking down, the young bat landed back on top of the dumpster and resumed eating.
His fruit provided for the night, safe and filled and ready to go back to his daily slumbering.
...
Luke 12:24 - Consider the ravens (or bats for that matter), for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the ravens (or bats, of course)?
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well done,keep up your writing abd write all God places on your heart!
"Habitually every sundown, a flapping and swooping noise filled the dusk sky; red, hunting, fruitarian eyes and large black wingspans soon following."
Excellent!
Good job!