“Once, epochs and days ago, there was a snake who lived in a cave. Baranthet sat on the cushions and drew a blanket over his knees. “On a day like this, I think a story would be best,” she said with a knowing smile. Grandmother was already ambling around the tiny house and closing the windows. No sooner were Baranthet and Lin inside than fat raindrops began to plink against the roof and splash in the pond nearby. Success! The old protoceratops ambled to the door, Baranthet nervously giving her a wide berth as she entered. Baranthet made a note-#12 would have to be a little bit bigger-before trying again. He went to the door and blew the whistle, and though no sound came out, Lin looked up from her trough. There were still some splinters where he needed to sand it down, but it should work. He dashed back inside to his cupboard, rummaging about until he found a small wooden whistle with “#11” scratched into the side. Lin seemed altogether more interested in her leaves than in listening to a young bookworm, and honestly, who could blame her. Plus, she never listened to him.Ĭrunch crunch crunch. Lin was gentle enough, but Baranthet never liked being too close to the old protoceratops-he was worried she’d nip him with that sharp beak of hers-and so he usually tried to get out of feeding her or giving her baths. The boy looked up from his book and out the door, to where Lin was busy munching on some leaves, a reward for a hard day’s work pulling Grandmother’s wagon to and from the market. “Baranthet, don’t forget to bring Lin inside! Skywatcher says it’ll storm tonight.”
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