The Crocodiles’ Appetite

My Father's Dragon

This flow follows the Crocodiles from a supposedly unreliable obstacle to the surprising agents of Elmer’s river crossing and the pursuers’ displacement.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Cat’s Warning The Cat’s Warning from "My Father's Dragon". Unreliable Ferrymen Reputation Old Alley Cat explains that Crocodiles could carry animals across the river but are moody, unreliable, and always looking for…

The Cat’s Warning from "My Father's Dragon". Unreliable Ferrymen Reputation Old Alley Cat explains that Crocodiles could carry animals across the river but are moody, unreliable, and always looking for…

Unreliable Ferrymen Reputation Old Alley Cat explains that Crocodiles could carry animals across the river but are moody, unreliable, and always looking for food. A useful limitation The description explains why the animals rely on Baby Dragon instead. Their appetite later becomes central to Elmer’s escape plan.

A Sweet Invitation A Sweet Invitation from "My Father's Dragon". Contact from the Water The offer A Crocodile invites Elmer to swim and mentions a craving for something sweet. Elmer refuses the water but offers a treat.

A Sweet Invitation from "My Father's Dragon". Contact from the Water The offer A Crocodile invites Elmer to swim and mentions a craving for something sweet. Elmer refuses the water but offers a treat.

Contact from the Water The offer A Crocodile invites Elmer to swim and mentions a craving for something sweet. Elmer refuses the water but offers a treat. An opening His response recognizes appetite as a point of leverage. The animal that might have threatened him becomes a possible collaborator.

The Lollipop Line The Lollipop Line from "My Father's Dragon". A Bridge Assembled Cooperation Elmer gives a Crocodile a Pink lollipop and fastens another to its tail.

The Lollipop Line from "My Father's Dragon". A Bridge Assembled Cooperation Elmer gives a Crocodile a Pink lollipop and fastens another to its tail.

A Bridge Assembled Cooperation Elmer gives a Crocodile a Pink lollipop and fastens another to its tail. He persuades more Crocodiles to line up across the river. A practical crossing The improvised chain reaches the opposite bank and carries Elmer toward Baby Dragon. Treats temporarily organize the animals more effectively than commands could.

The First Crocodile Turns The First Crocodile Turns from "My Father's Dragon". The Bridge Begins to Move A familiar weakness The first Crocodile finishes its lollipop and swims downriver.

The First Crocodile Turns from "My Father's Dragon". The Bridge Begins to Move A familiar weakness The first Crocodile finishes its lollipop and swims downriver.

The Bridge Begins to Move A familiar weakness The first Crocodile finishes its lollipop and swims downriver. The others follow, still occupied with their treats. The tide of danger changes The bridge ceases to be fixed beneath the pursuing animals. Their mode of pursuit becomes a moving distraction that helps Elmer.

The Pursuers Carried Away The Pursuers Carried Away from "My Father's Dragon". An Unplanned Ferry The reversal Wild Boars and the other pursuers ride the Crocodiles down the river, yelling as their feet get wet.

The Pursuers Carried Away from "My Father's Dragon". An Unplanned Ferry The reversal Wild Boars and the other pursuers ride the Crocodiles down the river, yelling as their feet get wet.

An Unplanned Ferry The reversal Wild Boars and the other pursuers ride the Crocodiles down the river, yelling as their feet get wet. Their chase has become a journey in the wrong direction. The joke’s function The Crocodiles behave exactly as Old Alley Cat predicted: appetite and mood outweigh dependable service. Their unreliability saves the dragon and Elmer.

during Old Alley Cat’s explanation of the river problem

at dusk when Elmer reaches the riverbank

during Elmer’s river crossing

as Elmer secures the later lollipops

immediately after Elmer reaches the far bank