Snow Alligators ©

Story Concept ----

Children are thoroughly enchanted with the original concept of "Snow Alligators".

This story establishes a new myth. It places Snowmen as the defenders against Snow Alligators, and only Snowmen built by children have the necessary magic to ward off this snow menace. Children delight in this innocuous fearsome threat. It perpetuates the construction of snowmen, and solidifies a reason for this already common activity. In warm or seasonally cold climates, this story fires a child's imagination.

On the very last page is the word "SCARE!" Adults may use this opportunity to explode and to tickle the child. From then on, children will often giggle with anticipation of this activity and the nature of the story.

It was January the 5th., about a quarter to four,
it started to snow, then a little bit more.

By early next day, there was nearly three feet;
it covered the ground with a thick frozen sheet.

The school was closed, no need to attend,
and travel on roads they did not recommend.

Johnny Alexander Macrory was stuck in the house, he was told,
not simply because of the snow outside, but mostly because of his cold.

He caught it from Janey Tremaine,
who caught it from Susan Blundaine;
and something most strange, never happened before,
all the children in town had caught it, all one hundred and four.
So, if snow hadn't fallen that day,
they would all of stayed home, anyway.

The snow was there waiting,
covering sidewalks and roads,
expecting the children,
no matter how cold,
to rush out their doors and roll in the white;
Always, that's what is expected and right.

Keeping indoors, inside from the weather,
no one was out playing together.

Not having snowmen, castles, or forts,
was breaking the rules of winter, all sorts;
and rules are rules, no matter how silly,
even when weather outside is so chilly.

Johnny knew that the town had troubles ahead.
"We must build Snowmen," that's what he said.
"Only we kids build them just right,
the kind that give alligators a terrible fright."
He warned the whole town,
from the very first flake,
" Not having Snowmen is a mistake."

If there's no snowmen, to guard and protect,
Snow Alligators you can always expect.
Snowmen look fierce,
they look tall, from down below,
and keep away alligators,
just like a scarecrow.

No Snowmen were built;
outside was too cold;
that's what they say;
that's what we are told.

In back yards and front, under bushes and trees,
no Snowmen were found, just lots of deep freeze.
When there's no Snowmen we know that they'll come;
but, we don't know, just where they are from.

Under the snowflakes, unmarked and clean,
that's where they hide, because they're not green.
Where no tires, nor boots, nor skis have left trails,
whatever you do don't step on their tails.

The mailman won't deliver our mail.
Somebody said, " He stepped on a tail."
They sneak in the snow, with bulging eyes and white snout;
they'll give you a scare;
you better watch out.

They follow young children around,
stealing their mittens, scarves, and toques on the ground.
Children often lose these, deep in the snow;
and the Snow alligators snatch them below.

Some say, " They come looking for me or for you;
looking, to add us to snow alligator stew."

Johnny Alexander Macrory was over his cold very quick.
I think that he may not have been very sick.
He was the first outside, first in the snow,
and built four large snowmen, all in a row.

He then built a fort; it's best to prepare;
the fort had a flag warning alligators beware.

It might seem unlikely, or some kind of story,
but not for Johnny Alexander Macrory.
At the end of the day, he went straight to bed,
"Tired from saving our town," so he said.

We can only guess what happened that night.
From Johnny's back yard came a terrible fright.

There were crashes and flashes, scary stuff in the dark;
so scary the big dog next door didn't bark.

The next morning, in the snow,
there were hundreds of toques, scarves, and one small mitten;
but the snowmen were still in a row, and unbitten.

For some of the neighbours it's hard to believe,
and others are packing their things just to leave.

Look very carefully, while out on your sled,
It's best to see Snowmen and not something unfed.

The rules of winter must never be broken;
with the first winter snows you must always build Snowmen.
If, for some reasons, you don't really care,
then out in the snow you may have a great...SCARE!

THE END