For many years, they walked up and down, back and forth. A migrating flock in the morning. A charging stampede in the afternoon.
The younger creatures, in vibrant colours, were pushed along or encased in slings. Older ones were clothed in grey and navy-blue that hung off them like rhinoceroses’ skin, but over time the creatures grew into their colours.
Sometimes they changed their feet, and would kick up leaves, slide on ice, splash in puddles or skip in sunshine.
Then one day, quite suddenly, they stopped. No more morning songs or afternoon races. The walk to school had ended.