Percival lay back in the warm, soapy water that filled the tub, and slowly started to relax. He had a glass of wine at his elbow, with the bottle at arm's reach. This was not very smart, as he had already consumed two large glasses of rum in record speed.
He soon started to feel light. Very light. And then, his head started to feel heavy. Very heavy. Before he knew it, he was snoring, and slowly his body started to slide down in the tub. He was enveloped in the warm, soapy water, and his entire body relaxed.
Oh, blissful life!! Oh, lovely water!!!
He may have stayed there in that position for a very long time, but for the fact that his nose slid under the surface of the water, and he awoke with a start. He coughed and snorted, and sat upright in a flash. After a short sp of wine, he relaxed again, and started to ponder over life's great mysteries.
Percival's mind ranged far and wide. It went back to his life on The Hill, and the wonderful time he had had with Bessie, and then he started to feel very sorry for himself indeed.
Two very large, very salty blobs fell into the water, and he was crying with self-pity.
"Why me?", he cried. "Why, oh why, oh why, oh why, oh why? What harm have I ever done anyone? I had such a wonderful life. Oh, what wonderful mornings at home. What Jean-Claude's wonderful meals (Jean-Claude was his chef). I will never, never, never taste Jean-Claude's wonderful cooking again"
"Why, why, why?", he blubbered.
"And, Bessie and I had everything planned out (Jean-Claude seems to have come before Bessie!!). Wonderful babies we would have. The two babies would play a our feet in the garden, in summer. By the fireside in winter. All gone forever. All because of that.... That... That... That Wretch!%^@*&^"
Percival suddenly realised he did not know the name of The Wretch (Dragor), who had snatched Bessie away from him.
The wine had now gone to his head, and he stood up in the middle of the tub in a rage. He shook his fist in the air, and announced to the rubber ducks in the water.
" I will get Bessie back,and revenge myself on The Wretch".
He struck a heroic pose in the tub, and fell with a splash back in the tub.
Percival started to cry again, feeling totally stupid and weak. He would never see Bessie again.
Gradually, his thoughts moved into a more positive vein, as he recalled how he had won Bessie, and how he had married her.
"Why, I am made of sterner stuff than I imagined. I am not so weak after all. If I could win Bessie earlier, I can win her back again. If I could conquer myself, and my love of luxury (not true), surely I can conquer fear in the future. I can go through dangers, and win Bessie back".
He soon realised that fear itself is not so bad. Fear of fear is what paralises us. He soon pondered the deep mysteries of life, what it means, and what he wanted to be.
A strong pig, who enjoyed luxury, but not be bound by it? Who could brave dangers and conquer fear?
Or, a pig who could not live without luxury?
No, no, not the latter.
He drank more wine, and yet more wine, and soon felt much better indeed. He realised that he would need to work with Basil to get Bessie back again, and that there would be dangers ahead. But, he was more than equal to the task, he felt.
He drank yet more wine, and soon the wine got the better of him. He slid again, and was soon snoring in the warm, soapy water....
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