The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Four

Tis a Far Better Thing

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; 

it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known” 

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Dedicated to my cat, Rags (d. August 19, 1990)

      Growler was a Pollicle, born of a Labrador mother and a German Shepard father. As a result, her appearance was, uh, interesting. Her ears were floppy, like her mother’s but she had the bushy tail and fur of her father. Her color was almost a blond Shepard mix. Still, despite her appearance, there was nothing wrong with her nose. 

      Like the Jellicles, she had two forms - a dog-like form when Humans were around, and a humanoid shape when they were not. In either form, her nose was her best sensory organ, and she smelled something odd in the evening wind. The scent was Jellicle, but she did not recognize it from those of the Yard. 

      “Quaxo-Cat!” 

      Two years ago, Nightwalker and Tumblebrutus had found a Pollicle puppy whose mother had been hit by a car. When Nightwalker passed on to the Heavyside Layer, Quaxo took over as someone the Pollicle puppy had trusted. Now, the Pollicle felt friendship with the huge Sentinel. So, her bark instantly got the big Black and White Tom’s attention. 

      Panting, Growler waited impatiently as the huge Jellicle came over to the Yard Office. Both of them knew they had to be careful, since the Human was just inside. Their being together outside would raise questions that neither of them wanted to answer. Finally, Quaxo leaned against the opposite side of the doghouse from the door. He allowed Growler to sit nonchalantly in front of her house. 

      “Yes, Growler?” 

      “Take in the wind a sniff.” 

      Quaxo faced the evening breeze and inhaled, filling his nose and mouth with the moving air. “Someone is out there!” 

      “Do you them know?” 

      “No, Growler. I see them will go. If anyone ask, them you tell.” 

      “I that will do, Friend.” 

      “Thank you, Friend.” 

      As Quaxo moved out through the open gate, he pondered this interesting alliance. Pollicles, if Jellicle History was accurate, used to be their sworn enemies. Back in time, they stood on opposite sides in many places. Yet, here, both he and the Pollicle bitch gave each other the title of “Friend.” Since the evening breezes came from the east, Quaxo turned right. He stayed close to the fence, which gave him some old grasses to hide in, should he need it. After a while, he came to the end of the fence, and the scent was stronger. 

      At the northeast corner of the Yard, a dirt road ran south along the fence. Gravel and rock were thrown here periodically to provide some sturdy material for traction in the ice and snow and mud. Not too much further away from here was the Vicarage Garage. Quaxo did not like the omen of finding someone else at the same place they had found Griddlebone in her guise as Snowmane. However, even though his hackles began to rise, he did see a paw in the grasses near the ditch, just this side of the Vicarage garage. Fresh snow had not fallen recently, and the ground lay bare in many places. 

      Quaxo crept in carefully, his senses on guard for a trap. The paw was white colored, and Jellicle, but the fur was short. Still, Quaxo wanted to be sure. In the ditch, the Jellicle was lying on its stomach, clutching at the ground, its face covered. Its full color scheme was interesting. Mostly white, the Jellicle was a Calico tri-color, which seemed to indicate it was female. The colors were arranged almost in large spots or splashes of color. The Queen was thin and her fur was coarse from malnutrition. Easing down beside the stray, Quaxo carefully placed a paw on the Jellicle’s shoulder.