Beastly Lessons

Beastly Lessons
By Stephen A Abell.

Number of Words: 350


“Delicious,” the old man cooed, “simply delicious.” His hand caressed the mop of hair on the boys head. Giving it a quick ruffle.

The boy growled and shook out the newly formed tangle.

“Don’t be contemptuous, it isn’t becoming in a young gentleman.”

This time when the boy growled, he barred his teeth. Each one, a sharp yellowing jag of bone.

“Listen,” the old one snapped, “you’ll have to curb these tendencies if you’re to make it in the big bad world. I know they say it’s a dog eat dog world; but the eat isn’t literal. That’s why you’re here with me in Home Economics. Here you’ll be taught table and dining manners as well as how to prepare your own food.”

The boy snorted and turned his head away.

“You can stop that right now, young man.” The berating tone of the old one turned the younger one’s attention back to the berator. “I’m your English tutor too, remember... I know you can talk.”

“Leave.” Forced words cut painfully through the silence. “Me.” Concentration, anguish, and anger raged on the boy’s features. “Alone.” He spun and stormed off to the other side of the classroom, where they were the only two present.

“That’s much better. See what you can do with a little effort(?) It makes it easier for everyone to understand you.”

“Not... Your... Pet.”

“I know that.”

“No... Stroke... No... Pet... Then.” The boy mimicked the others hand on his head. “Not Dog.”

“Not quite...” The old man smiled and stifled a giggle. “It was praise, you did good. You opened the can of strawberries yourself, dished it out, then added the cream. It’s my favourite dessert. I was happy and proud of you

“However, I now believe the decorum classes should start sooner than planned as you’re progressing faster than we dared dream. Though these outbursts will not be permitted in the social society you will enter into... we have great plans for you.”

“Spat... In... Food.” The boy grinned, awaiting the old ones anger, which never surfaced.

“I know. You are the Anti-Christ after all... and it was delicious My Lord.”

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