PHOTO PROVIDED Art Stevens

Once upon a swampy enclave on Sanibel, where the trees whispered secrets to the glistening moon, there lived an alligator named Al and a gecko named Gary. Now, you might be thinking, “What in the name of reptilian camaraderie could possibly bring together a colossal alligator and a pint-sized gecko?” Well, prepare to be baffled and bemused as we delve into the unlikely tale of their interspecies bromance.

It all started one sultry afternoon when Al, feeling a bit puckish, found himself perusing the banks of the bayou in search of a tasty morsel. Little did he know, fate had a different flavor in store for him that day. As Al lurked in the murky shallows, contemplating his lunch options, he spied a tiny figure darting among the reeds.

Gary, the gecko, was on a reconnaissance mission of his own, scurrying about in search of adventure (and perhaps a stray insect or two). Imagine his surprise when he stumbled upon the hulking silhouette of Al looming in the water like a prehistoric sentinel.

Now, one might expect this encounter to end in a swift and toothy demise for our diminutive gecko friend. But lo and behold, instead of snapping jaws and a swift farewell to Gary, Al blinked his lazy reptilian eyes and offered a toothy grin. “Well, hello there, little fella,” he drawled in his deep, rumbling voice. “What brings you to my neck of the woods?”

Gary, not one to miss an opportunity for banter, cocked his head to the side and replied, “Just out for a stroll, big guy. Thought I’d see what all the fuss is about down by your swamp.”

And thus, a friendship unlike any the swamp had ever seen was born. Al and Gary became inseparable, with the unlikely duo embarking on all sorts of escapades that left the other denizens of the bayou scratching their scaly heads in bewilderment.

Picture this: Al, the lumbering giant with a heart of gold, serving as the unwitting steed for his nimble gecko companion as they raced through the underbrush, chasing fireflies and causing mischief wherever they went. Or consider the sight of Gary, perched atop Al’s snout like a tiny reptilian king, regaling his friend with tales of daring and derring-do from his days as a rogue lizard-about-town.

Of course, their friendship wasn’t without its challenges. There were moments when Al’s appetite would get the better of him, and Gary would find himself perilously close to becoming an unintended snack. But true to form, the plucky gecko always managed to talk his way out of becoming gator grub, spinning yarns and cracking jokes until Al’s hunger pangs were replaced with laughter.

And so, the saga of Al and Gary serves as a heartwarming reminder that sometimes the most unlikely friendships are the ones that bring the greatest joy. The next time you find yourself wandering through the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and happen upon an alligator chatting amicably with a gecko, don’t be quick to judge. Instead, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of their bond and the endless possibilities that arise when we open our hearts to the unexpected.

As for Al and Gary, last I heard they were still causing a ruckus down by the swamp, their laughter echoing through as they embarked on yet another adventure together. And who knows what the future holds for this odd couple? One thing’s for certain: wherever they go, they’ll always have each other, come swamp or high water.

Art Stevens is a long-time columnist for the Sanibel-Captiva Islander. His tongue-in-cheek humor is always offered with a smile.