The Veldt

«Well, here I am,» said David McClean in the nursery doorway, «Oh, hello.» He stared at the two children seated in the center of the open glade eating a little picnic lunch. Beyond them was the water hole and the yellow veldtland; above was the hot sun. He began to perspire. «Where are your father and mother?»

The children looked up and smiled. «Oh, they'll be here directly.»

«Good, we must get going.» At a distance Mr. McClean saw the lions fighting and clawing and then quieting down to feed in silence under the shady trees.

He squinted at the lions with his hand tip to his eyes.

Now the lions were done feeding. They moved to the water hole to drink.

A shadow flickered over Mr. McClean's hot face. Many shadows flickered. The vultures were dropping down the blazing sky.

«A cup of tea?» asked Wendy in the silence.