If you've been reading this blog for a while you hopefully will have gained an impression of the Sylvanian character. That we love family, friends and nature. It is the last of these I'd like to cover today.
Our love of nature can be shown in different ways. At one extreme we have critters like my nephew Orton's birth parents. Their dedication to conservation would seem to be paramount in their lives.
I'm probably placed towards the other end of the spectrum since I'm not quite so "paws on". My morning walks through the local woodlands continue to be a delight; I like to soak in those natural elements. I'm convinced this connection with nature helped to inspire my music for the "Sylvan River" musical. My songwriting partner has notebooks full of poems dedicated to flora, fauna and the changes of seasons.
Other Sylvanians have a more practical relationship with the land. Some have allotments to grow their own vegetables, the excess supplying friends and shops. Those not having the time to work on such a scale often reserve a small patch in their own gardens. You see, we're not totally reliant on farms (such as that owned by the Timbertops) and small holdings within the county.
In my youth, our garden was kept neat by Mookie Dappledawn (*1). As young children, Merlin, Newton and I helped him a little - but Merlin was the most dedicated. These days, most of our garden maintenance is performed by Merlin's brother-in-law Denzel Dandelion, but we still maintain a small vegetable patch. Merlin grows his own herbs, and both he and Eliza like to grow their own root veg. A couple of years ago Orton, as their foster son, decided he would like his own even smaller patch, resolving to grow his own potatoes, fresh from the garden.
He is not always successful but he is a determined young bunny.
o 0 O 0 o
Since Orton Butterglove arrived on our doorstep, having been discovered as a stowaway on Captain Seadog's boat, he has become a solid, valued and much loved member of our family (*2).
From the wary little boy hiding in his hooded coat, searching for his relatives, he has become a confident young lad and he has become well-liked and appreciated by the greater community.
I'll give you a particular example as told to me by Merlin.
o 0 O 0 o
Butterglove House had a visit from a member of the Sheriff's Department in the form of Constable Bobby Roberts. He had come to see Merlin with the hope of seeking his expertise as librarian. Specifically, this was to find out about an unusual creature that had been found in the rough ground near to the Spark Farm (*3). He had brought a photograph.
"It is wary of anyone approaching it," explained Bobby, "and I was hoping to find out what type of animal it is and how best to gain its confidence. It's not the best photograph as the creature seems to continually be changing colour."
Neither Merlin nor Constable Roberts had noticed Orton enter fresh from the garden, his friend Kimball Bayer trailing behind.
"May I see?" asked Orton.
Bobby regarded the two children for the first time, smiling. "It's police business, lad, but I don't see why not."
Merlin chuckled. "Orton probably knows more about rare creatures than anyone in Mellowdene."
"Really?" said Bobby whilst turning the photo over for Orton to see. The boy reached out and angled it to get a better look.
"You say it changes colour," said Orton. "If that is happening as I suspect, most people wouldn't recognise the creature for what it is."
"But you do?" said Merlin, proud at his boy's confidence.
"Yes. It's a schismasaur. A type of lizard. They're normally a single colour but if the colour is constantly changing it is preparing to split."
"Split?"
"Yes. When they are born they tend to be very pale but when they reach maturity they get to a point where they split into two siblings of different colours. When that's about due the skin starts to vary between those colours. The thing is - the actual split can only happen if the schismasaur is calm. If it is troubled, the colour changes become wilder. It shows how distressed the creature is. This photo is not a good sign. You'll need to calm it down."
"How do you know all this?" said Bobby.
"My mamma helped raise some in a sanctuary. I watched."
"How would you calm it down, Orton?" said Merlin.
"It needs to feel loved. It would be easier if I took Snorker to help with that."
"Snorker?" said Bobby, clearly feeling confused with all this information.
"A Snodgrass-Hepple Hog," said Orton, which didn't do anything to reduce Bobby's confusion. .
"It's our pet mountain hog," said Merlin. "He creates a sort of empathy, a sense of calm. He sort of 'spreads the love.'"
"May we go?" said Orton. "It's been a while since I've seen a lizard split."
Bobby Roberts shrugged. "I don't know what's happening here but you clearly think you know what you're talking about. Is it safe, though?"
"It's safer than if we did nothing," said Orton.
Merlin came to a decision. "Go wash the soil from your paws, collect Snorker and we can be on our way."
o 0 O 0 o
The four found the schismasaur easily enough. Its skin seemed to be undulating, changing hue in waves, alternating between green and the darkest of blues. It was clearly an agitated creature, walking in tight circles.
"Aw, it looks poorly," said Kimball.
"It shouldn't have got into this state," said Orton. "I'm taking Snorker to it straight away."
Constable Roberts was about to object but Merlin assured him that the lad knew what he was doing.
"Well, I'm accompanying him," said Bobby.
"Me too," said Kimball.
"In that case we all will," said Merlin, "but let Orton take the lead."
Snorker was already moving slowly towards the lizard, periodically glancing back to check Orton was nearby. Extending his snout the kissing noises began. They were more rapid than usual. The schismasaur paused in its pacing and gave the mountain hog a sideways glance as it approached.
Bobby Roberts would later report how he was enveloped with a feeling of calm, a gentle happiness and confidence that all would be well. The lizard was similarly affected. The skin changes became less rushed and erratic until they settled to a regular rhythm. The waves of colours would remain static for five or six seconds, then resume movement for a similar amount of time. Snorker moved even closer and extended his snout to touch the schismasaur.
Something must have happened as both creatures briefly shuddered and separated. Orton moved to retrieve Snorker.
The schismasaur then gave a little shiver and sank to the ground with a happy sigh. Although its eyes remained open and unfocused it appeared to fall asleep.
"Isn't it lovely?" remarked Kimball.
"I'd have to agree," said Bobby. "It is a handsome beast. Or at least, it would be if it stayed one colour."
"It will," said Orton, taking hold of Snorker and hugging him. "Great job, Snorks."
"What now?" said Kimball.
Orton inclined his head slightly. "I think we should move back. Do you hear that snoring? The schismasaur is about to split."
"Okay," said Kimball although he couldn't resist reaching out and touching the sleeping beast. "Good luck, Schizzy."
Bobby Roberts took hold of Kimball's paw and in so doing also touched the schismasaur. "You heard Orton. He's been right so far. We need to move back."
No sooner had they turned and started to move away the snoring stopped with a shudder. The silence was filled almost immediately with a short popping noise. A wave of air passed over Kimball and Bobby, like a vanilla-scented gust of wind, causing them to overbalance.
They looked back. Where there had been one lizard there were now two lizards, side by side, still prone but stirring.
They scrambled to their feet. One schismasaur was green and it watched Kimball with obvious interest. The other was dark blue and, as Bobby had commented, a handsome beast. One that showed a similar interest in the Policeman from the Sheriff's Department.
"Oh," said Orton. "You didn't touch it, did you? I just remembered. They might imprint on you. Sorry about that."
"Imprint?" said Kimball as the green schismasaur rubbed against him affectionately. "What does that mean?"
"In this case think it means that they will treat you like family."
"Oh! Might it want to come home with me?" said Kimball. "My mum and dad finally agreed that I was responsible enough to have a pet."
Bobby nodded. "I wouldn't mind a police lizard to accompany me on jobs. The colour's right..."
Merlin looked at his foster son. "Orton. Tell me what just happened."
"I think Snorker's kissy noises might have also affected Kim and Constable Roberts. Genuine mistake, pappamerle. They would be extra happy and it's possible the lizards might pick up on that once they'd been touched."
"Are you telling me that Kimball and Bobby Roberts are now emotionally linked to these creatures? Is that why they seem inclined to take them on as pets?"
"It's possible," said Orton. "They'd have to say, but it looks like they'd be happy about it."
o 0 O 0 o
They were happy about it.
For their new family pet Kimball Bayer decided to stick with the name Schizzy. With his home adjacent to the grasslands Kimball has found Schizzy to be an adept runner and a great assistance in stopping the tiniest puppies from going astray or getting lost in the long grass.
Bobby Roberts named his new companion Boysin Blue (foreshortened to Boyce). I suspect the wordplay was to reinforce the intent to use the schismasaur as a police lizard. Bisto Wildwood was amenable subject to Boyce's behaviour.
Orton continues to visit both schismasaurs and their owners.
If you're wondering why I chose this particular example of Orton's expertise I will explain.
The lad doesn't have much opportunity to demonstrate his zoological knowledge. That had made him realise he wanted to develop other areas where his knowledge would be valued. When Merlin and Eliza had commented that they were unable to grow potatoes in their vegetable patch, Orton determined he would try to succeed where his foster parents failed.
The satisfaction he felt helping with the schismasaurs further inspired him. Despite his botanic failures to date he would grow those potatoes!
The question was - where could he find the advice he clearly needed?
o 0 O 0 o
To be continued
1. See Time Capsule (January 2020)
2. See Welcome Autumn (September 2019)
3. See When the Sun Goes Down (September 2022)
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