The cats, Marcus and Sabrina, are afraid of the basement. The family rumors are that terrible things happen there. Loud noises, the sounds of water lapping in a machine, clothes perpetually churning in something called a “dryer.” Father and mother periodically descend the stairs inside and come up with mysterious objects. It was the mysterious underworld.
Then yesterday, Dad had the outside bulkhead open. Marcus dared Max, the dog, to go where no dog or cat dared to go – into the basement. At first, he hesitated, and the “catcalls” started right away. Then down he went. Silence. But no cries of pain or agony, no whirling and roaring of the “dryer.”
Then there he was running up the stairs in triumph! What no dog before him had achieved, a trip to the underworld, and back.
He passed Dad a knowing look, but refused to tell Marcus and Sabrina what mysteries he had seen. Was the dryer the awful creature it was rumored to be? Was it haunted? Max just stood there. Finally he turned,and mentioned that like many Hero Journeys, it changes your perspective on the upper world, and you can’t share much with those who have not made the Journey into the Underworld and back. It’s just something you have to experience yourself.
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Ha.. I love this. Brave brave doggie.
Dogs are the best
Exactly, I loved too. Thank you dear Lou, Love, nia
As a child I had similar reactions & thoughts about the basement, the dryer, and all that went with, as these cats and dogs. Things children, cats & dogs pick up on that adults have forgotten or lost the ability? Or just imagination? Or superstition? 🙂
The cats are in awe of Max now.
Ha! I’ll bet the others treat him with more respect and awe now. I learned a concept in an ethnography book about those who return. Those we knew, who left, but now they’re back! It makes us love them more. Who was that woman? I can’t even remember the author’s name now.
It was a classic hero quest to the underworld, and then back. Except the hero is a dog.
Clever! It is so odd that animals are deathly afraid of things that you would think have become commonplace to them by now.
None of our previous dogs dared it.
Max, you are brave and good.
Max: ! Thank you! Thank you…recognition is sooooo nice!
They dared Max? (And then watched him go?)
They can be little snots…like you know who…