Cookoo Charlie's Animal Alphabet - Norway Rat
Norway Rat
To have a baby is a natural drive for all species. Whether lion, crocodile, poodle or human, the pregnancy pull is an inherent force that is hard to resist.
After two miscarriages, Mary Hernandez had begun to feel as if she’d become a failure in her wish to give her husband, Eduardo, a son. Truth be told, he said it didn’t matter if it was a boy or girl. But she knew. She knew.
The first miscarriage was bad enough but after the second a depressive funk shrouded Mary’s every waking moment. Eduardo was supportive and with some counseling, coupled with listening to Tori Amos’ 1,000 Oceans repetitively, like a child wants to hear the same story at bedtime, Mary began to come around.
The young wannabe parents discussed alternatives: adoption and even a surrogate mother. Two months after they decided to adopt a child, the miracle happened. Mary became pregnant again and managed to bring the child to full term.
Dressed in her hospital gown, Mary rested her head on Eduardo’s shoulder. Eduardo would be taking her home in the morning, along with their newborn son, Eduardo Jr., who was asleep in the maternity ward with the other newbies. Mary kissed the glass barrier that separated her from her son.
“Sleep tight, my little one,’ said Mary. “We’ll see you in the morning and have you home before lunchtime.”
With that, Eduardo escorted the mother of his child back to her hospital room. Minutes after they exited the ward, lights went out for the night.
Three nurses were staffed on the ward that night. All three of them jumped up and ran when the alarms sounded.
Lights. Screams. And…
Rats…
…tearing into newborn flesh with teeth that can crack concrete. Crushing skulls, ripping out throats and biting off doll-sized limbs , the ravenous rodents revelled in their bite-sized baby nuggets.
There’s over seven billion humans on this planet. Their civilized cities are devouring wildlands and driving creatures to extinction.
Gaia, the earth’s spirit, has had enough. The time for fighting back has arrived.
There’s over two million rats in New York City. And over a hundred maternity wards.
