Lehal Library

“Then you must control your ... reproduction?” “Oh yes. And as for the rest of that thought—we still enjoy the ritual!” “But no children ...” “We have many children. Would you like to meet some of them?” “Yes, I would.” "Iwill call them.” A series of different whistles sounded in my head, like songs of birds, almost a form of music. Out of the trees came several kinds of animals, large and small, all bounding up to the four people, who rubbed and patted them. Some resembled cats, others were reptilian, like small alligators and large snakes. Others were monkey-like, and still others could have been deer, but with long manes and tails. A swarm of huge bees surged out of a tree and made diving, playful swoops past our group. Overhead, a pair of large, brilliant green birds soared in circles, looking down at us. A small blue bird dropped down on my friend’s shoulder and chirped in his ear. He turned to me. “Our children.” "Iwould like to call my own animals children so easily.” “You will remember the sound, and with practice you can.” “Is all of the earth like this? The animals, I mean?” “Only here in the valley. The rest is much what you would expect, from reading your books. You know of the food chain system?” "Ido. So the animals die.”