The Great Shadow Fight

Who can describe sweat? And, in actuality, who would want to? Yet both men were sweating. It was hot. The kind of heat that encourages sweat to run off the body in rivulets.

The landscape as far as the eye can travel was sand. A few scrub mesquite bushes. A gnarled Ironwood tree. But sand. Mostly sand. Reflecting the sun's glare in miasmic shimmerings of heat.

Cooper, a large-boned man with curly flaxen hair who always wore a derby, had set off across the desert in search of a Geococcyx californianus, which while it enjoys many names, is commonly known as a roadrunner. Cooper, a photographer of some merit, had snaffled a major publication contract to film a layout on roadrunners in their local habitat.

In pursuit of fulfilling this contract, he rented the donkey, packed his photography equipment on its back and set out for a day's shoot.

By high noon, the heat was so intense, Cooper shelved his ambitions and unpacked the donkey. Darn, he thought lethargically, I'll just sprawl out in the shade of the donkey for a while til it cools off. He tethered the animal, tipped the derby over his eyes and leaned back against the gear which he had dumped on the sand.

Karim, a skinny, pasty-looking fellow, had never been able to live up to his name which means a generous friend. He had tried to be generous, but every time a situation called for trust, Karim feared someone would steal his possessions. Like now. He had rented the donkey in good faith but shortly after Cooper left, Karim had second thoughts about letting his prize ass out of sight.

Hastily, Karim looped the rope of the Closed sign over the hook, slid several bolts across the door which he padlocked in three places, and pocketed the large ring of keys as he walked away from his livery.

He looked neither right nor left but kept his eyes glued to the tracks in the sand. Hurrying along, he planned to keep both his donkey and the stranger within view.

It was high noon and the heat was so intense Karim could barely find the strength to place one foot in front of the other. His boots gained seven pounds every time he lifted his feet, and his tongue repeatedly searched his dry mouth for saliva.

The look on Karim's face was one of pure thankfulness when he stumbled across Cooper stretched out in the shade of the donkey with a water canteen laying beside him. "Ah . . . Cooper! Cooper, my friend. Could I impose on your fine hospitality for a sip of your water?"

When Cooper, who had fallen asleep, sat up with a jolt, his hat fell to the sand beside him, and his head butted the underbelly of the donkey who brayed loudly, danced a fancy trot-step, and pulled the tethering rope in wild circles. Cooper scuttled out of the donkey's path, grabbing his derby as he rolled from under the flaying hooves but not before one had flattened it. Reluctantly, he handed Karim the canteen.

When Karim had slaked his thirst, he grinned toothsomely at Cooper. "I have come to share the shade of my ass with you, my friend."

Cooper took stock of the situation. He eyed his pack considering its weight, looked at Karim warily, and said uneasily, "You're pretty skinny, fella. I'm not sure your ass would provide much shade."

Karim bristled with hostility. "It has won trophies at the state championships."

"Your ass won trophies?"

"Yes. Packing and endurance. He won both competitions."

"Ah . . . the donkey! " Cooper relaxed.

The donkey in question now stood quietly, eyes drooping in slumber, his body creating an enviable patch of shade.

Cooper eyed the shady area with anticipation. "Look old fella, there isn't a large enough spot of shade to accomodate us both, and since I've rented the donkey til sunset, I believe it's mine to use. Sorry old chap."

Karim eyed the shady area with longing. "That's true enough, Cooper, but when I rented you the use of the donkey, I did not charge you for the use of his shadow. Since I own the donkey, I own the shadow and now if you will excuse me, I am going to use it."

The two men fought and fought over the shadow. And while they fought the hours crept by, the sun squatted on the horizon, and finally, night cupped the landscape in darkness.

The story of the two men is well known down in the southwest desert. The men were so determined to prove sole ownership of the donkey's shadow, that they took the matter to court. Then to the appeals court. Then to the higher courts. Soon, they were both financially bankrupted by the lawyer's fees and court costs.

Such a foolish thing to fight over! A mere shadow which on rainy days and after dark cannot be seen at all.

And yet, even today, according to some oldtimers, if you are wandering out on the desert and happen upon a kangaroo court, chances are you will hear Cooper and Kalim still arguing their case.
The Great Shadow Fight © 2006 Chaeli Lee Sullivan