copyright © 2003 by Robert L. Blau

    The earthworm saw the menacing, segmented form wriggling up from the hole opposite him.
    "You're encroaching on my territory!" the earthworm warned.
    The intruder said nothing.
    "You're eating my food!" cried the earthworm accusingly.
    The intruder said nothing.
    "If you don't get out of here immediately," said the earthworm, "I'll tear you segment from segment!"
    The intruder said nothing.  Nor did it move.
    "You're butt ugly, do you know that?" the earthworm taunted.
    The intruder said nothing.
    "Your kind will be the downfall of vermiculture as we know it!" the earthworm shouted.
    The intruder said nothing.
    The earthworm wriggled forward, meaning to throttle the interloper.
    In a twinkling, the intruder disappeared down its hole.
    "Coward!" screamed the earthworm, retreating to his original position.
    The intruder emerged from its hole.
    "I'll get you yet!" vowed the earthworm. "I declare you my enemy and the enemy of all right thinking earthworms!"
    Just then, two humans approached, collecting fishing bait.  The earthworm, locked in single sided debate with his sworn enemy, didn't see them coming.
    "Ah," said the first human. "There're a couple sticking right out of the ground."
    Each human grabbed one worm and pulled.
    "Hey, they won't come out," said the second human.
    Then there was a pop.
    "Oh, I get it," laughed the first human. "Same worm, different ends.  That's ok.  Kill two fish with one worm, eh?"