The Orange Groves

For the contest at #Myths-and-Legends. :3

The challenge of the contest was to create some sort of myth using experiences in or inspired by your hometown.

My siblings and I used to play in an orange grove that could be entered going along Stanford Ave.
Of course, we weren't allowed in there considering it wasn't our property, but the grove was so big that no one ever caught us in there.

We did all sorts of stupid things in there. But, for some reason we never stole any fruit. :0 (Maybe because all kids hate eating healthy?)

Anyway! One time while we were there a friend named Megan attempted to catch a lizard as we were wandering around in a long irrigation trench. Having lived in the desert forever, I knew she was being foolish when she tried to pick him up by the tail.
Sure enough, when the attempt was made, the tail "jumped ship" so to speak and started wiggling around in her hand. Huhu. Oh, how she screamed.
I don't know if you guys have any lizards where you live, but where I come from the lizards drop their tails when they're in danger to confound the predator.

My myth is that that lizard is still looking for his lovely, lost tail. Sure, lizard tails always grow back, but they never look as lovely as that first one. So, this lizard uses the tails of others to look more splendorous.

Helping him find his tail is his wife, the sprite. She often does magic to shrink naughty children who wander into the groves down for questioning. If they don't have or know about his tail, they are forced to help him find a new one before they are returned to their normal size.

Sadly, the groves I knew so well are no longer there in my neighborhood. They were ripped out long ago as the city expanded.

I've already written way too much, but I think I should mention something about the art.
That background... ugh. How it took forever. The most tedious part of course was drawing in those dandelion seeds. I drew them free-hand on the computer. I don't believe in using pre-made brushes because you just don't get that natural look that comes from doing it yourself.
Also, that orange didn't take long to create, but I really like the way it turned out. I hope it looks juicy. :3