“Transparent am I as the glass,” said the snake to the mouse at her front. “Trust, a sip you may take.” And she collected a drop of wine glistening scarlet to where it hung above her friend.

Enraptured, the mouse climbed for it, claws extended. His friend’s jaw slighted, and another droplet appeared in the same place.

He did see, then, the flame that reared its head under the snake’s own– but quiet he remained.

As the fire caught to her scales, the snake cried, “Ah, traitor! Why have you not warned me?”

To which the mouse asked: but was I the one? And off he scampered, back to his burrow, safe in the dirt.

Drawing: “Absurdist” by myself. This one was actually selected by my AP Literature teacher to be used in posters representing a school theatre production!