The Eye of the Llama

by Gary D. Snyder

Prologue:

(To the tune of "The Eye of the Tiger")

He wakes up, wants something to eat,

Checks the fridge, cleans his glasses.

Nothing's there, so he's out on the street –

He's a kid who just wants to survive.

Doesn't speak to girls he may meet,

He's no luck with the lasses.

There's a buffet not far down the street –

All he wants for just two ninety-five.

It's the eye of the llama he'll be wearing tonight

As a pawn in some interstellar drama.

Though he can't be defeated if he won't ever fight

Still he can't ever hide from the eye of the llama.

Tries the door, looks at the sign.

He could cry he's so hungry.

He's too late, 'cause the place closed at nine –

If he'd only been able to drive!

With the eye of the llama when it comes to a fight

Will he stand or go running to his mama?

In a bout there's no doubt that he would do what is right

And it's best not to mess with the eye of the llama.

Heading home sad and alone

He looks forward to the morrow.

Maybe he'll have a blueberry scone

When the bakery opens at five.

But the eye of the llama keeps a watch through the night

As he dreams in his alpaca pajama.

And the evil that's coming will be driven to flight

By the might that's the light in the eye of the llama.

The eye of the llama…

The eye of the llama…

The eye of the llama…

End of Prologue

Author's Notes:

This story is (or will be) somewhat unusual for a couple reasons. The first is that this is the first story with a prologue, but I thought that it would help set the tone for the story the way that an opening theme sets the tone for a movie. The second is that while Jimmy is the lead character of these stories, which are based upon "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron" after all, he won't really have a lot to do in this one. After the more serious-than-usual events of the last story I thought I'd have some fun in this one and let the other characters have their turn in the spotlight, especially (as the title suggests) one character who doesn't usually get to do a lot. While I don't want to give away too much, imagine a cross between "Rocky" and "Star Wars" with perhaps a touch of "Marty" tossed in and you'll have some idea of what's coming up.