This is a smallish, open park of mostly grass with only a few trees and a few ponds. There is also a boardwalk by the river, but it was closed when I went. Something gigantic has carved great paths through the grass, but there was no sign of it when I was there. It was windy and not too hot, so I wandered around looking for interesting things. There wasn’t much. I did see a butterfly, many grasshoppers, and many dragonflies, including one so red that it burned a hole through my eyes and out the back of my head. I also saw this flower: There were also great piles of grey grass here and there and smaller bits in other places. Where did it come from? Was it an invading army of mutant plants determined to take over the world? I’m going to say yes. On the way back to the car I saw a tunnel. I later saw a tortoise. That was when it finally all made sense. Tortoises begin their lives as small, burrowing creatures that then grow large on the plentiful grass, grazing wider and wider paths as they grow. Their size is limited by their lifespans, and their lifespans are limited by the amount of grey grass they eat, which is toxic. Eventually, the tortoises die and liquify until becoming the slimy ponds I saw. The fertilized eggs hatch inside the rotting carcasses of their parents and eventually rise from the ponds to begin the cycle again. Young, small tortoises are able to avoid the grey grass and eat only the green, but once they reach a certain size, their mouths are too big to pick around it. What do you think of my theory? Please leave a comment!
If you like this blog, be sure to explore my SubStack ChartingPossibilities, where I post thoughts on science, philosophy, and culture, plus excerpts from my many published books, my YouTube channel WayOutDan, where I post weird stories from my life, my science fiction series ChampionOfTheCosmos, and my xenobiology field guide FloraAndFaunaOfTheUniverse. You can support me by buying my books, or tipping me at BuyMeACoffee.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Dan. I am an author, artist, explorer, and contemplator of subjects large and small. Archives
February 2025
Categories
All
|