Rank and File

I have to tell you that this sort of story is really my favorite kind of Kootie and Koobert adventure. It’s simple, yet to hear them tell it, I get such vivid pictures of the event, it makes me wish I could have been along for the ride.

It seems that one fine morning not too long ago, Koobert and his big sister Kootie were having a pleasant hop along a wide, smooth path, and wondering what delights they would find for exploring, when they spied a crowd a long way off.

“Whaddayah s’pose they’re all doing over there, Koobie?” Kootie posed in her most curious tone of voice. 

Koobert peered down the broad smooth path to where the crowd stood, silent and still. “I think they’re looking into that big cave.”

“They’re being awfully quiet,” observed Kootie thoughtfully. “We should be quiet too, so whatever is in the cave isn’t scared away”.

Well, the two brave adventurers had a lot of ground to cover before joining the group, but they shared a mutual determination to be as polite as possible. What a struggle, especially for Koobert, who was more and more struck by the peculiar crowd as they approached.

“These guys are all dressed alike,” whispered Koobert conspiratorially. “You don’t suppose they’re a team or something.”

“Maybe the army,” Kootie replied. “Look at how they stand, almost like a formation.”

It was true. As they drew closer, it was apparent that the crowd was definitely standing in straight rows, all lined up like, well, like soldiers.

“I think they all have one leg, like us!” Kootie whispered very softly indeed - there was no telling how far sound would carry, and they were getting very close indeed. Experience had taught Kootie to explore very carefully, and take nothing for granted.

“But, look, Kootie! They’re all bald as billiard balls!”

“Shhhh!” Kootie giggled, but was also a little surprised that no one in the group had overheard Koobert and turned around to look. Kootie risked playfully slapping Koobert’s shoulder. “You silly doof, they just have fancy helmets!”

“This is gonna be great,” Koobert whispered. “I get exactly what’s going on here. These army guys are waiting to get medals from somebody in the cave…”

“I hope it’s the queen!” interrupted Kootie, almost forgetting to be quiet.

“Yeah, the queen! That’s why they’re wearing fancy white uniforms! They all have to look straight ahead, and if they get caught not lookin’ where they’re s’posed to, they won’t get any medals at all!”

“Let’s get closer so we can see the queen!”

Confident now that they could go right up to the group, Kootie and Koobert hopped the last little ways until they were just behind the soldiers standing still in their straight rows. In fine military style, nobody in the group turned or even flinched. First Koobert, then Kootie boldly slipped in between the soldiers, straining to see the queen in the big dark cave.

Suddenly, from way back down the path there was a boom, and the sound of thunder. Louder and louder the thunder roared as a gigantic bowling ball plowed down the smooth path at the formation! Somewhere in the distance, there was hollering and clapping!

X!

Next time: Kootie and Koobert in the gutter.