Liz Tailored

All grown up

A lizard had entered the house. We saw it crawling up the wall, hiding behind the clock, flirting with the lights. All attempts to shoo it out of the window failed. The door was opened, just in case it preferred a proper gateway. Nothing. It stayed around, watching TV, looking at the laptop screen, peering into newspapers.

I had no choice but to imagine that it had a reason to be around. What did it eat? There must be insects. Where did it defecate? It seemed to leave no traces. Yet, it wasn't unobtrusive.

I read somewhere that lizards' tails can disconnect and be 'alive'. The word for it is autonomy. I did not witness any autonomous inclination.

A couple of days ago, I saw a tiny thing move on the floor. And then another one. So, the big one was female and pregnant? Or was a male around too? There's a lizard maternity home at home?

It's fascinating to watch. They are growing up. From the floor, I saw one climb the wall, high enough for me to crane my neck. Now I tiptoe, afraid of squashing them.

I am also afraid that they are watching too much television, and probably finding too many sheets of paper with scrawls on them. I want them to grow up with blank sheets.

It's always a good idea. For when they let their tails extricate themselves, they will realise that behind the dressed up walls they scale lie naked bricks.