Article March 18, 1972 Issue

No One Has to Be an Alligator

HARRIETTE MELDRIM HILL

Chomp! The alligator's jaws clamped on the long pole, and the four boys began to tug on the other end. Their dog barked furiously. The boys pulled; the alligator pulled. Finally teamwork prevailed, and the youngsters hauled the alligator out of the hole and began to drag him through the tangled underbrush of the swamp, his jaws still tightly closed on the pole.

The dog was beside himself with excitement. When the alligator caught hold of a sapling with his front leg, one of the boys went back to free it, watching out warily for the lashing tail. At last the procession reached the farm, where the young adventurers proudly showed off their big prize.

Grandfather admired him, then said, "All right, boys, take him back where you found him and turn him loose. He has his right to freedom, the same as you." Reluctantly the boys obeyed. They watched from a safe distance as the alligator backed away from the pole, which they had dropped, and slithered into his hole.

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