Once upon a time, on the outer banks of the Carolinas, there lived a little
baby alligator. Now this baby alligator was very curious, and no
matter how many times his mother warned him to stay close to his brothers
and sisters, he would run off exploring every chance he got.
Early one morning he set off in a new direction, and before long he found himself in a place he had never been before, filled with all kinds of things he had never seen before.
"Wow!!", he thought, staring around him, "A whole new world!"
Just then he heard a sound, and, startled, dashed under a nearby bush and waited to see what was going to happen.
Along the path came a man carrying a large cardboard box, which he set down next to his car. Vacation was over, and he and his family were heading back up north.
"Humans!!" the little 'gator breathed to himself. He had heard stories about them....about how they had turned his great-grandfather into luggage and how his third cousin had become famous for people-wrestling....and lots of other things that made him want to get a closer look at these creatures.
The man had started back up the path, and very slowly the baby alligator crept from under the bush and started to follow.
"Hrumph...he doesn't look so tough," he thought to himself as he crept along. "If I could just........ "
Suddenly he froze in his tracks. Back towards him came the man and his family....his wife and three boys, carrying the last of their belongings. Looking around, he spotted the open carton and darted inside.
"Just a few more things....", he heard the man say, "and then we'll be on the road." The woman was saying something but the little alligator didn't hear because just then he felt his box move, and a moment later there was a THUMP as it was deposited in the trunk of the car. He heard some more thumps....and suddenly the whole world seemed to be rushing forward.
"What is this?" he wondered, frightened out of his reptilian wits. "What have I gotten myself into?" And all those stories about wallets....and handbags...and zoos...ran through his mind as, burrowing down into the clothing that filled the box, he curled up and waited.
It must have been a very long wait, for the next thing he remembered was opening his eyes and staring into those of one of the boys he had seen earlier. They stared at one another for what seemed like ages, then, very gently, the boy took the little alligator in his hands and picked him up.
"How did you get in there?" the boy asked, examining the little animal. "You're a very long way from home now...so I guess I'll have to keep you. If Mom and Dad let me that is."
The boy gently stroked the alligator's scaly little head, which made him feel much better about things.
"Come on..." the boy said suddenly, "Let's ask."
Now the boy's parents had promised him that if he made his bed and did the dishes he could have a pet. The boy had been very good about doing those things--even on vacation--so he was SURE they'd let him keep his new little friend.
The two of them went downstairs, and, while the boy pleaded his case, the little alligator sat perched on his shoulder, watching everything with his bright eyes.
"Oh thank you!" he heard the boy say suddenly, "I'll take very good care of Alvin, I promise!"
The baby 'gator looked around.
"Alvin? What's an 'alvin'? And what about ME???" He gave a squeak on indignation that made the boy laugh.
"Silly alligator," he said, patting the little head affectionately, "YOU are Alvin! That's your name now. Do you like it?"
The little alligator was beside himself. A name!!! He had a name!!! He sat up straight, his little chest swelling with pride. None of the others had names! Oh how special he must be, how wonderful, how great!
"Alvin...." he thought to himself, "What a magnificent name for a magnificent me!"
And that night he dreamed dreams filled with the wonder of being Alvin.
