(For the first post in this series, see Mark’s Adventures Underground Part 1.)
‘Mark’ first had to make his way over the old dam…
Then, he had to make his way down labyrinthine stairs…
To do so, he had to make his way safely past the fierce guardian of the caverns, a wrathful centuries-old century plant…
…until at last the frightening entrance to the underground realm presented itself to him!
With great care and much effort, ‘Mark’ made his descent. Many a time during this process he thought his days were at an end! At long last, however, ‘Mark’ reached the floor of the mighty cavern with his heart in his throat but his body intact.
It was, of course, dark underground and so ‘Mark’ had to light his way with a flashlight. Eventually, however, the batteries gave out, just as they did for Alex, Hans, and Professor Lidenbrock in the equally historical Jules Verne account.
Fortunately, at that point mysterious beings of light appeared dancing around his head. ‘Mark’ responded to their beckonings, and they led him on his way.
They brought him to a community of kindly ood, who, though petrified, were able to advise mark to avoid bee-hive-like structures that housed dangerous xenomorphs eager to leap out and take hold of hapless passersby…
…and to seek out instead a diminutive but wise old brown bat…
…who informed ‘Mark’ that, for a long time, he must follow watery underground ways; which ‘Mark’ proceeded to do…
…until he reached a spot called the Pool of Repose. At the base of this structure ‘Mark’ deposited his precious load of eggs, as he had been instructed to do by Fred the dinosaur. Having done so, he he spent a moment gazing contentedly at his handiwork.
However, having completed his task, by what means was ‘Mark’ to find his way back to the surface?
Once again it was the friendly ood who came to the rescue by guiding ‘Mark’ to a watery drain…
…into which ‘Mark’ inserted himself. At long last he emerged once again into the glorious light of day.
Satisfied by the strangeness of his adventures underground and pleased by what he had been able to accomplish there, ‘Mark’ could now resume his life on the surface of the planet in the company of his fellow human beans.
Thus came to a happy end Mark’s Adventures Underground.
It has the indisputable ring of truth!
Very enjoyable and satisfying tale!
Beats Alice’s adventure’s undergound, for Mark==unlike Alice–has left the underground a better place.
Mr. Beppo,
Except for all the scary dinosaur parts, I LOVED Part 1.
But…. Part 2 is even better! It has all the elements necessary to be perfect. Most importantly — a happy ending. I was so happy that “Mark” was able to join his fellow Human Beans. Do they soak overnight in the hot springs of Ojo Caliente?
Bob, everyone has hizzer own way of reacting to things: I am sure many (though none has posted a comment) love the scary dinosaur parts best of all. As for the ending and afterwords, I imagine that ‘Mark’ and his fellows do indeed soak in something somewhere.