Chuck is back. Apparently his little absence from the puddle came with consequences, because judging by his determination this morning, things have gotten completely out of hand while he was gone. Somewhere beneath all that duckweed is the Puddle Dinosaur, moving with the unmistakable urgency of someone who has returned from vacation to discover nobody covered his shift.
The mallards certainly weren’t going to handle it. They have been busy growing up, claiming their log and figuring out the world. Stella and Stanley have their own responsibilities, the Lone Goose has perfected the art of quietly minding its own business, and Shelly has never once indicated that puddle infrastructure falls within her job description.
So Chuck returned to find whatever it is that Chuck believes requires his immediate attention. I still cannot tell you exactly what his work involves, but I have watched him long enough to know that he takes it very seriously. There are things to move, places to inspect and apparently an entire end of the puddle that cannot be trusted to manage itself.
There is something wonderfully funny about watching an animal go about work I do not understand with absolute confidence that it matters. Chuck does not appear concerned about whether anyone notices, appreciates or even comprehends what he is accomplishing. He simply knows there is work to do, and apparently he is the beaver who has to do it.
Welcome back, Chuck. Next time you leave, perhaps you should consider putting in a formal vacation request and arranging coverage first. Clearly, the puddle cannot be trusted without you.
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