A Christmas Truce Carol by James O'Halloran

Author:James O'Halloran
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Columba Press

STAVE SIX

Laz and Cher Ami

Laz, tail erect, walked happily among the celebrating soldiers of both sides, who fed him titbits and frequently stroked and cuddled him. He was enjoying one such cuddle when a feathery movement caught his attention. A pigeon had landed out in the open. Following all the contact with humans, he felt eager to approach a creature more like his own kind.

The pigeon regarded Laz with an apprehensive cocked eye. The cat seemed benign and didn’t come in stalking mode, otherwise he would have flown away. As it was he stood warily at the ready. He had a clear memory of a cat leaping from a shrub and grabbing one of those cousins of his who forage for food around city squares.

‘Merry Christmas, pigeon.’

That was reassuring. ‘Same to you, but I’m a dove.’

High notions, he’s as ‘pigeony’ a pigeon as I’ve ever seen, but to avoid an argument a dove he will be … ‘Well then,’ said Laz, ‘your coming is entirely appropriate to this place and in these circumstances. My name is Lazarus, Laz for short.’

‘What an odd name. Why does it remind me of death?’

‘I have no idea,’ Laz lied, ‘May I ask your name?’

‘Cher Ami. It’s a beautiful name.’

He certainly doesn’t undersell himself. ‘Indeed it is a lovely name and I hope we can become friends.’

‘Creatures of our two species don’t usually become friends. You’re a cat, and as you’ve already noted, I’m a dove.’

I did no such thing. Why doesn’t he get real? Maybe he’s a snob who wants to distance himself from those grubby relatives on city squares. He’s an ordinary black and grayish pigeon and none too plump. Well kept, but scrawny for all that. ‘You could do with putting on a few ounces.’

‘You’re getting personal, feline, and you’re certainly no diplomat.’

I’m no diplomat. Strewth! ‘No offence, but for a pige … dove you’re quite thin.’

‘It’s all the flying.’

I’m glad to see him become a tad more forthcoming. ‘What is it you do?’

‘Since the outbreak of the war, homing pigeons from all over England are being trained as carrier pigeons for use at the front. We were brought over here to experience the field of operations. I’m so glad there’s a truce, because in the war I tend to keep my head down and not take any risks. I suppose I’m a bit of a coward really.’

Laz noted the touch of humility and the implicit admission that he was, after all, a pigeon. The impression was marred somewhat when he went on to say, ‘What I’d really like to be is an eagle or a swallow.’

‘A curious combination.’

‘Well, I have a tremendous admiration for swallows. Their sense of direction is uncanny and the distances they travel immense. Our limit as carriers is something just over one thousand miles, while those slight little fellows travel many thousands. Some flying from the southern-most tip of Africa, for example, have ended up in Siberia. Astounding! The eagle, of course, is the King of the Birds.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.