Stories inspired by an image - Snapjaw

 
Snapjaw was quite an old Croc. He had swam in these waters for a very long time, when asked he said "about this long" and held his arms out wide. Now he was thought to not be the brightest of Crocodiles, and not the most hard working.
"I've done my share." he grumbled when the other Crocs called him lazy. "You young whipper snippers think you know it all. Go away and catch your food or whatever it is you do with your day and leave me in peace."
He wriggled himself into the mangroves and snuggled down among the reeds to catch maybe 40 or was it 60 winks. Some time later he woke and went to sit on the bank and wait. A young croc swam by, looked up at him and stopped.
"Why are you sitting there?" she asked.
"I'm waiting," he replied.
"What for?"
"My strawberries and cream of course."
"Strawberries and cream, Crocs don't eat that." She wriggled her nose in disgust.
"This one does. Much better than tough old meat and it arrives every day on time. No hunting, no catching, no effort." He grinned at the small Croc. "And it tastes so delicious." He licked his lips at the very thought of it.
"Where does it come from?" She was beginning to think that old Snapjaw had finally gone bonkers. That was the rumour that was now circulating among the others. It appeared to her it was true.
He was just about to answer her when footsteps could be heard coming towards him. Out of the bushes scrambled down a very nervous young man carrying a huge plate of strawberries and cream. He stood by Snapjaw and held out the bowl.
"Here ya are."
"Catch him" yelled the young croc.
"Never" called back Snapjaw. "I have sworn to protect him as long as he brings me my strawberries and cream. Off with you now, boy, quick." Snapjaw held the bowl close to his stomach while searching the surrounding area to make sure the boy escaped safely.
"Why did you let him go, that was good meat." She lifted herself out of the water and came to sit beside the old Croc.
"I don't need meat, this is what I want," and he held up the bowl.
"How do you get him to bring it to you?" Now she was full of curiosity.
"Well, it goes like this, he was walking down here one day, stupid boy, everyone knows not to walk where there are Crocs. I stumbled across him and grabbed him by his shoe. I was just about to drag him into the water and do the whole turn him over drowning thing when he shouted stop and I'll give you my strawberries and cream, which he happen to be eating at the time. I did stop and I tasted that delightful dish, and was converted straight away. So a bargain was struck, I would protect him when he comes down here and he brings me the said dish."
"I would have eaten him, your mad."
"I don't think you would, once you taste this," he held out a spoonful for her.
She opened her mouth and allowed him to place the contents within. As she munched and sucked, she rolled her eyes and made a great big sighing noise. She had never tasted anything quite as delicious as this before. Maybe old Snapjaw is not so mad after all, she thought.
"Can I have another spoonful?" she asked..... 

 © Helen A. Howell