Well, here goes nothing - another story to edit (written ten years ago) and with much drama and grammar corrections needed. Yes, and it is only about 12 pages of A4 to float over like Henrietta H. seems to do a lot of. I am not sure if this is the most recent pass either! However now it is down it cannot be over-looked even if it is as yet unadulterated.
Henrietta Hyper-Potbellymus/Hippo-pottummymus woke from a long and deep slumber in the mud only to find that she had a very thick head. She stood up, gave herself a good shake to clear the deadlock and was disconcerted to find that it was no better. Flapping her ears didn’t help, as they were stiff as boards from the drying sun. Even her eyes were stuck in a far-distant stare. Then the penny dropped and Henrietta realised that, whilst in deep thought, she must have fallen asleep in the mud for much longer than was safe. A quick contemplation was perfectly safe but the results of a long meditation and sleep in the mud were almost total fixation.
With much effort Henrietta clambered stiffly out of the swamp and shook off the excess mud. Without a thought of the outcome she delicately jumped into the water of the drinking hole. There was much uproar from all around because it would be quite a while before the water became clear enough to drink again.
Henrietta’s momentary clumsiness also displaced a great deal of the precious water which now lay in puddles, glistening in the sunlight. Mindless of the general commotion and the angry, wild chattering, Henrietta swam and dived - repeating the process until her mud-packed face and body were moist again. Henrietta swam under the shade of a tree and stayed in the water hole watching the water beetles and skaters darting over the water surface. It amused her to see all the hustle and bustle going on while she just stood and idly wallowed.
Just recently, all Henrietta’s actions had not been in keeping with her usual kind, considerate and placid self. Henrietta seemed to have lapsed from her Gentle Creed and become a ‘mind’n virtueless’ wallower, with not a thought to the ripples she made. The gentle creatures affected by these ripples prayed long and hard that Henrietta would, not only mend her ways but realise the effects her actions were having on the harmony and ecology of the Satin Swamp.
