THE 3 STAGES OF ALERTNESS

Blackwell was taking a breather from his toils of the day, lying in the shade on the back patio, nearly asleep.

So you thought.  But without changing his position, he was suddenly awake.

And then . . in a blink . . on alert.

What stirred him to this stage?

Need you even to have asked.  Just look at that plump, prime target.

But the story ends well.  The bird, dumb as it is, flew away to safety before Blackwell started his charge.

And another day slows to a conclusion.