From Feud to Sudden Peace

This flow traces the transformation of a dog rivalry into a dangerous public uproar and its abrupt resolution by the Great Rumpuscat.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Feud Already Known

A Feud Already Known Established Hostility The Pekes and Pollicles are described as proud, passionate foes. Their conflict is habitual rather than newly created. The poem begins with an existing pattern waiting to be triggered. A Wider Circle Pugs and Poms sometimes join the dispute despite avoiding fights. The possibility of extra participants raises the stakes. A local encounter may grow into a crowd conflict.

The Chance Encounter

The Chance Encounter A Pause in Conflict Almost a week has passed without much happening. The poem treats this lull as remarkable for such rivals. The quiet gives the next meeting the force of a renewal. Unsupervised Meeting The Police Dog is away when a Peke and Pollicle meet. The empty street offers no immediate mediator. The conflict begins through a brief, unplanned encounter.

Barking Across the Park

Barking Across the Park A Standoff The Peke and Pollicle glare and scrape their hind feet. Neither clearly retreats, and their tension becomes vocal. Barking replaces the possibility of quiet avoidance. A Public Signal Their noise carries across the Park. Other dogs hear the challenge and begin to assemble. The quarrel changes from private hostility into a public call.

The Crowd’s Uproar

The Crowd’s Uproar Packs Assemble Pekes and Pollicles gather from doors and windows. Pugs and Poms join from balconies and roofs. The initial encounter has become an organized chorus of barking. Civic Alarm Traffic stops and the Underground trembles. Neighbors fear enough to consider calling the Fire Brigade. The dispute threatens to exceed the dogs’ control.

The Street Falls Silent

The Street Falls Silent A Terrifying Entrance The Great Rumpuscat emerges from a basement flat with blazing eyes and enormous jaws. His appearance makes the assembled dogs reconsider their confrontation. No lengthy battle is needed to alter the balance. Conflict Dispersed The dogs scatter, leaving the street empty when the Police Dog returns. The sudden absence resolves the public crisis. The feud remains, but its immediate escalation ends.

Before the dogs meet in the street

After an unusually quiet week

As the two dogs begin their challenge

As the rival groups gather

After the Great Rumpuscat appears