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GATOR DOG |
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 Sonha meets King Alligator. © Ravay Snow 2005 |
Tired and thirsty, Sonya began drinking the water.
"Hey, puppy!" a deep voice rumbled.
Sonya jumped backwards. Two big beady eyes stared out of the dark water in front of her. That wasn't a log after all.
"Mr. Alligator!" she gulped. "I mean, Your Royal Highness, King Alligator."
"That's what I like. Respect," he bellowed.
"Yes, sir, King Alligator," Sonya said bravely. She stood tall even though her body was trembling.
"You're lucky I had a big lunch," the beast grinned. Then he opened his jaws wide. Rows of sharp teeth gleamed in the sunlight.
"Didn't anyone tell you to be cautious near the water? I'm fast, you know. I could have gobbled you up before you took your first sip."
"I forgot. I was so thirsty," Sonya responded, holding her ground.
She remembered all the signs in the park warning visitors to stay at least 15 feet (five meters) away from wild animals. Now she understood why.
 Keep your distance! © David Muenker |
"Why?"
"Because you're a legend. You're fast and strong. I've heard you can run up to 30 miles an hour on land."
King Alligator grunted, "Yup. And I'm 15 feet long and weigh 400 pounds."
"Wow!" Sonya exclaimed. She had no idea the alligator was so big. Most of his body was hidden below the surface of the water.
"And you have no enemies. You rule!"
In the Everglades I rule. But in a lot of places in the world, my relatives are poached for their hides."
"Poached?"
"Hunted illegally. Humans get big bucks for our skins. They make them into purses. Suitcases. Shoes. Humph!"
"That's cruel," Sonya said. "I promise I'll never buy anything made of alligator hide."
"You're a good pooch, puppy."
"So do you like living here?" Sonha wondered as she looked around.
"The water isn't as good as it used to be. Fertilizers from nearby farms get into it. That's tough on the fish and other creatures."
"What can you do?" Sonha inquired.
 Raccoons like to eat baby alligators. © David Muenker |
"I do what I have always done. I play my role in the balance of nature. So I eat some of the fish and birds and turtles. I might grab an otter or deer."
"But some of us alligators get eaten, too. When baby alligators hatch, raccoons, wading birds and other critters like them for breakfast."
"So you see, we all play our part in the balance of nature. That's the secret to life. Here in the Everglades - and everywhere."
"And what about?"
Before the words got out of Sonya's mouth, King Alligator grumbled, "You're full of questions! " and opened his jaws wide.
"You better move on, little puppy. It's getting close to dinner time," he said with a grin. "Don't forget to tell your friends about this place!"
With a swoosh, King Alligator turned and swam out of sight.
When she was sure King Alligator was gone, Sonya bounded into the forest. She saw the marsh rabbit, the pelicans, the anhinga and the ibises.
To every creature she saw, she boasted, "I looked King Alligator in the eye. And I'm alive to tell about it!"
Note: This story is fiction based on fact.
Go to Sonya's Picks for links to websites about endangered species, birds and alligators.
Read a non-fiction article about Everglades National Park.
See how many words you know on the Word Match.
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Photographs ©2005-2010 David Muenker. Text ©2005-2010 Rose Muenker. Illustrations ©2005-2010 Ravay Snow Any use without express written permission is illegal and punishable by law. All rights reserved. Site designed and developed by Josh Bergman. |
