Cactus was happy. He stood tall and beautiful among the beautiful desert things. Cactus loved all the land and all of its creatures. He wished for a friend, nightly on the stars, and hugged the wind and sunsets to keep him feeling loved.
Scurrying across the sand one day was an extraordinary lizard in search of water. Before it could pass, Cactus called out to the parched creature.
"Are you thirsty? I will help you," offered Cactus.
Intrigued at the height and greatness of Cactus, the lizard asked, "What can you see up there? Do you see the sun in its last seconds of light?"
"Yes," replied Cactus, quite surprised at the lizard's priority.
"Do you see eagles diving on creatures to their death?" asked the lizard.
"Sadly, yes," consoled Cactus.
"Do you know why we are here, and why I am just a lizard?" snapped the reptile in confusion.
"Regretfully, I do not. But come and drink. I find pleasure in speaking with you, as you are quite a remarkable lizard," said Cactus.
"How will I drink?" said the lizard, shaking its head.
"Climb up to the crotch of my limbs and you will be able to drink from my core," offered Cactus.
"I would just as soon jump from a cliff. Your tines will surely kill me," said the lizard bitterly.
"Dear lizard, I am of the same green color as yourself. We are brethren. I would never harm you. My barbs are soft and are more likely to tickle you than impale your green scales," Cactus said gently.
"And what if I fall, or there is no water?" complained the lizard. And Cactus tried to reassure the lizard, but the lizard remained skeptical.
For two nights and two days, Cactus offered and explained, growing more fond of his companion all the while. And the lizard questioned and debated, doubting the intentions of Cactus.
"...and you can live here. Food and water are abundant," said Cactus.
"It couldn't work," said the lizard.
"It could work, and you can watch the sunset, and eagles would not bother you among my barbs..." pleaded Cactus.
"I don't know," said the lizard, and with that, Cactus bent down and picked the lizard up, setting it into the crotch.
The lizard could not speak for some time. It ate, and drank, and watched the sun go down.
In the last few seconds of sunlight, the lizard nestled in, watching the large birds off in the distance and said, "Thank you, Cactus."