Pangolanth

by

Keith W. Sikora

© 03/15/02
(Unrestricted Club Use)

"Based on the Science illustration, 'Altrasian Bubble Fish' by Cathy Buburuz."

There remains a legend
Though some will say it's myth
Of this peculiar denizen
In the kelp forest labyrinth

Just off the Altrasian coast
Where the cold northern sea
Collides with rocky shore
And narrow strips of beach
Within the sylvan stands of seaweed
Browsing along the tangled paths
Of the kelp fronds swaying like leaves
Swims the enchanting pangolanth

Pangolanth's quite a spectacle
At first glance, an eclectic mix
With crown and tail of silver tentacles
And black armor scales, but no fins

It swims via undulation
Like a worm left out in the rain
As it searches through the rock formations
For shellfish in it's dense seaweed domain
Such a placid looking creature
As it dines on an abolimp
But pangolanth has a special feature
It's really a magical fish

This legend among the fishermen passed
For ages has been told
How the magic the pangolanth has
Is held in the bubbles it blows

Though rare when it happens, they swear it's fact
When a bubblefish is caught out at sea
( That's what fishermen call the pangolanth )
If they choose to let it go free
As the pangolanth heads for the seaweed
In return for being released
It blows out glowing bubbles in a stream
Towards the last person it sees

And the power of this magic's unique
For the person touched by the bubble stream
Will find that his most precious dream
Soon becomes real. . . .




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