The Daily Shores

Stefolous shivered in his shell. He had come out before dawn because he wanted to be by the pool before the herons arrive. The wind whistled passed and a foamy spray splashed over his shell, making him ever more miserable.

Flap, flap, splosh he heard, making him thrust his head out to see. A pure white heron with single yellowing thin feathers on either side of his eyes waded towards Stefolous as though enthralled.

He called out, "Stefolous, my friend. It is you!"

"Yes, Hector. I am so glad you are the one I will be talking to today."

"Where have you been? How did you escape? Why were you arrested?"

Stefolous told his story backwards because it was a very natural way for journalists to know the why’s and how’s and where’s and when’s of a story, although he made sure to mention nothing about Vixen and the weasel sisters. After concluding the reason of his arrest, he asked, "Can you help me, Hector?"

"Wolf eh? He is a difficult animal to read."

"I need to know what happened to him when he left the jungle for a year, after the election."

Hector climbed onto a dry rock next to Stefolous and sat down. "He went to the killing fields, to talk with the bears who had not taken part in the war. Do you remember the bear that was finally caught and accused of assassinating President Monkey?"

"Yes, Berry Black."

"Well, Pacer the independent writer managed to track his family, and Wolf went with him to meet them. 2 uncles, 6 aunts and 12 cousins all confirmed and showed proof that not only was Berry a vegetarian, but he was also not very clever, and would not have managed to even make his way to the jungle, let alone find the President and kill him."

Stefolous said thoughtfully, "Pacer, I know him. A lot of his works are on conspiracies and also animal disappearances. The article he wrote on a place called the zoo caused quite an uproar in the jungle."

"Yes. He had flown into quite a few of them and found that all the herons and flamingoes living in the open ponds there have had their wings clipped." Hector visibly shuddered. "Anyway, Pacer was trying to help Wolf gather information to use against Fox."

"Pilfry's report from the frontlines had caused Fox to lose in the by-election for a new president. But after he disappeared, animals began to forget and Fox was elected President." A thoughtful pause. "Do you know what happened to Pilfry."

Hector shook his head. "Pacer was the last bird to talk to him. Pilfry told him he felt that he had got himself involved in more politics than he had imagined. I know a lot of animals think that either Wolf or Fox have something to do with his disappearance, but Pacer believes that he is in hiding somewhere and may be writing under a pseudonym."

More herons landed in the pool. Hector asked, "Is there anything else you need to know?"

"No, my friend. Thank you for your help. I am sorry to have kept you from your meal."

"I am glad to see you, Stefolous. It is a pity that all our complaints about your arrest went unheeded."

"It is only to be expected."

"Before you go," Hector said, "Is Owl with you?"

"No, Owl died from his wounds."

"He was injured during the escape?"

"No, he was tortured during his imprisonment."

Hector looked down into the pool, touched it with the tip of his beak and closed his eyes. Then he looked up to Stefolous and said, "May I quote you on that?"

"You may, my friend. Though it will bring you more trouble than good."

"I will take my chances."

Stefolous turned to leave, and Hector's gaze followed him over rocks and sand until he turned a corner that hid him from view. Then Hector stepped into the pool and told the other six herons there about his conversation with the tortoise.

The editor of The Daily Shores, Brucket T, decided not to publish the site of the meeting as well as the fact that Stefolous was asking for information about Wolf. But Owl's death made the headlines the following day together with a short statement that the herons had tried to free Stefolous legally but failed.

Rat trembled with rage when he saw the news, and screamed for the Chief of Police, Mite.

Back to List            NEXT