Food was always
in short supply for Dum and Yum and what they did get was always hard to find.
Berries were few and far between so many were looking for them as well as the
animals and birds that shared their world. Despite this Yum was getting a fat
tummy, she knew why but Dum didn’t realize she was pregnant even when he put
his head on tummy and heard the regular beat of her life within go faster there
than when laid with his head on her breasts. It was only when she pointed to a
little child and pointed to her tummy that Dum realised she was pregnant. So
that night he thought a lot and in the morning when she was happy to stay close
to the cave he went of to fetch food by himself. He had to try to remember not
to eat everything he found but to save some for Yum. So he went down by the
slowly moving river and ripped some reeds out of the water and cut his hands in
the process. When he had got enough he sat on the bank and wove the pieces
together to make a basket tucking the ends of the reeds back into themselves to
make a rim. Looking at the finished basket he was delighted and squealed with
pleasure saying “creeeeel”.
He picked as many
berries as he could and put them in the basket then went down to the sea to see
if there were any shell fish there and he put them in the basket as well. He
saw there were fish in the water but couldn’t for the life in him work out how
to catch them even though he tried. When the sun started to set he knew it was
time to go back to the cave. Yum was sitting outside in the fading light and
looked up when she saw him and nodded at him. He placed the basket in front of
her and said “creel” to her pointing at it. She nodded then picked over the
contents and prised open the shellfish with her thumbnails and ate some and
others she tossed over to him to share. Dum was about to eat these himself when
their smell made him stare at her with horror and when he threw them into the
bushes she laughed. He really liked Yum, she was very funny.
These two have been so much fun to follow!
ReplyDeleteDum was smart and sweet. I can't wait til it's Yum time to have the baby.
ReplyDeleteLoving this story, Old Egg! You know, relationships aren't all that different now, same themes, just more complicated settings. I loved that she gave him back the rotten ones, glad he was smart enough to avoid that "gift"! Now, teach how to fish! :-)
ReplyDeleteOne often wonders whatit was really like to be the first to do or try something. Now it's almost impossible to have a new idea, let alone try anything new that isn't ridiculous, like planking in odd places.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Dum can at least make a basket, he's not so dumb! Cree! : )
ReplyDelete