Naugatuck Valley Community College
THE MONSTERS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS Joe A. Sainz I want to cross to the other side, Mother. I know I can make it. I want to cross the gray, hard grass with the double yellow line in the middle. And I know I can make it; I can. There’s unexplored land there. You can’t; you can’t. The monsters with the headlights will kill you. But I know I can make it; I can. Look what happened to the possum. There he lies in a heap—in disgrace. But he does not lie in disgrace; he died trying. But there may be better acorns on the other side. I must find out. No, you don’t. You should stay here where it’s safe and happy. No. I must cross. I’ll be careful. Careful? The skunk was careful. Smell that in the air? That’s all that’s left of him. I’ll go at night so I can see the monsters’ headlights. You had a brother once. His tail is hanging in our nest. That was all we could find. But I can do it. I know I can. No, you can’t. You should stay here where it’s safe and happy. Look what happened to the groundhog. 27
