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I never knew of the Dur until the fairies asked me one day why he was always so sad. I know my puzzled look explained my lack of knowledge of any such a creature.

A little while later they took me to the bottom of the garden and under the Coastal Rosemary bush sat the strangest creature I had ever seen. The Dur it seemed had lived in my garden a long time and was so small, about the size of a shirt button, so it was plain why I had never seen him.

He was the most forlorn of creatures. His almost transparent skin gave off an odd pink hue that didn’t do anything to enhance his already confronting appearance.

The fairies had gathered round and were offering words of comfort to the Dur who just sat there staring off into some sad world he perceived was out there.

The Dur didn’t stir, just looked ahead, his mournful eyes blinking occasionally, and every so often a dribble of salivary ooze leaked from his lips only to be languidly licked back into his mouth by a tongue sprinkled with rather odd nodules.

I have to say I was fascinated by the discovery of another creature in my garden. The fairies didn’t know much about The Dur only that he had always been there and was always sad. I was keen to know more about him so through the fairies I had The Dur agree to an interview.

I have to note that even though his tone was always slow and mournful, I did detect a very dry sense of humour.

M: I’m very excited to find you living in my garden. How long have you been here?

D: As long as a piece of string.

M: The fairies worry why you are always so sad.

D: Have you had a close look at me? If you looked like me wouldn’t you be a little peeved by what nature has dealt you?

M: But aren’t all Dur’s like you?

D: There are others. Similar to me but we don’t talk.

M: Are there more of you in my garden?

D: No one per garden is how it works.

M: You know of others?

D: Yes the Der is over the fence and two yards up is the Duh. But we don’t speak. I think I told you that.

M: So what do you do in the garden?

D: I am a cleaner. I keep your garden clean of pests and things that might harm the ecological balance.

M: Oh like?

D: Snails. I have a penchant for snails. Can’t get enough of them and curl grubs love curl grubs.

M: Well from what I have seen in the garden you have plenty to eat.

D: You think? It’s another reason why I’m always so miserable. My diet. Think about it, a diet of snails and curl grubs, the occasional cockroach, not a lot to brag about is it.

M: Could be worse.

D: How?

M: Could be someone’s prey.

D: I am but I have this pink skin and if you touch it you get infused with an aroma enough to put you off living, believe me I’ve seen it happen. The lizards stay well clear.

M: Oh I see, best not get to close then.

D: I wouldn’t if I were you.

M: So you get about ok.

D: Slowly very slowly. I’m miserable on a good day, you know. Moving is such an effort, I have to make sure you aren’t mowing, had a few close shaves, literally, with you and your mower so I mostly move at night.

M: Well I’m very happy to have made your acquaintance Mr Dur.

D: Just leave it at The Dur. This Mister business makes me feel old and I’m miserable enough as it is.

M: Oh most certainly The Dur. Do you eat most days?

D: No every five days a morsel of some sort comes by.

M: How do you catch anything when you aren’t very agile?

D: They come to me. I sit her looking miserable, most creatures don’t notice me or avoid me but snails are attracted to my pinkness. Its curtains for them of course.

M: I see. And the curl grubs, they live under the soil.

D: I have digging tentacles under me, I can sense them moving beneath me, they burrow down and grab them. Curl grubs are the only creatures slower moving than me. It’s usually a moment of rare feel good for me savouring one of those succulent little morsels.

M: Well I’m happy to have you in my garden. I’ll watch out for you in future.

D: Thank you its nice to feel noticed. But I’m still miserable you know.

With that I left The Dur and walked back to my house aware there may be more creatures in my garden I may be lucky enough to meet sometime.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/tale-weaver-5-mythical-creatures/