In the desert there was one, then two, then many. Sand grains, lizards,
flash floods, nomads and their camels. When the sky opened up, dark birds descended
like black hail. Rapid and thick, punctuating the golden dunes. From within the
sand, green snakes rose their triangular heads, in vain trying to capture a
bird with their forked tongues thrusting into the air. The birds were agile,
speedy, and amused by the angry reptiles.
"Hihihi," they called
from above. "How's the weather down there?"
"Sssss," came the reply
from below. "Watch that crazy thunderbolt coming right at you!"
