Saving Bert

Osmos promises to save a fellow alien named Bert

Saving Bert

Osmose came home from the general store, which was an all-day trip return. He unloaded from his rattletrap old truck the items he’d purchased. Looking for a place around him that had ideal heat, sun and shade, he began to build an unusual box.

It had walls of interlocking bricks that would be anchored with sand. When he was sure it wouldn’t collapse, he added a couple of small cacti and flat rocks. When he was satisfied, he went in the small cabin he’d built for himself out of adobe bricks and brought out a fruit crate.

“Just like I promised, Bert. I made you a little safe environment. Let me know if you want any changes made to it that will be more comfortable. Since you lost your left eye during your adventures on this planet, I thought a walled space would be safest,” he said to something in the box.

“Thank you, Osmos! You are a friend. I have never visited your planet, nor you mine; but I guess we visiting alien species should stick together. I am so glad you found me before I got stepped on or suffered some similar horror from those camper dwelling humans I was trapped with.”

“Don’t mention it, I’m happy I chose a barrel cactus for my disguise. The woman went gaga and had to have me for their house in Florida! You, my friend, were so dusty and weak I wasn’t sure you were real, until you managed to move!”

“I hope I can repay you.”

“Nonsense. Unnecessary,” Osmos replied.

He quietly went inside and fired up his distance communicator and left a brief message.

“Found unique species for our zoo. Come get me!”

Reaction was immediate.

“Will arrive 3 am earth time. How big a cage needed?”