If you were to look into Mu the Croc’s eyes—a pastime best described as bold when dealing with a Nile crocodile—you’d find a gaze uncannily reminiscent of the Blinking Planetary Nebula. There’s something quietly mind-boggling in there, ancient and unhurried, paired with an unsettling kind of heavy‑tailed precision.
You might wonder if the spectacles perched on his lengthy snout have something to do with his lack of elegance. However, Mu wears those simply because he likes the “look”. He chooses that look every time he reads, which, since he reads whenever he’s basking, is quite a lot. A scholarly crocodile, with a book resting on a river rock, pages and everything else turned by his breath, is simply part of the local scenery now.
The Paradox of the Straw Hat
Then there’s the brimmed straw sun hat, a choice that confuses anyone with even a casual understanding of crocodilian biology. A Nile crocodile is, after all, a living solar panel built to charge up on celestial rays.
So why the hat? Mu says he likes the “look”. This, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with the little headaches he gets if he’s out in the sun too much. A light‑sensitive, bookish crocodile is an absurdity Mu carries with total confidence.
The Diplomacy of the Tail
Mu keeps his tail mostly still these days. A momentary twitch has been known to accidentally swish his friends across the riverbank—something one can get away with when it involves warthogs or hippos, yet impala are far less receptive to an “Oh, sorry”.
Mu’s personal record is flattening seven at once. They were all uninjured, Mu proudly states. The apology, though, required half a ton of mixed leaves with a decent haul of acacia seed pods, all carried on Mu’s back for two lion‑miles from a local elephant trading post. Elephants, as it turns out, will happily trade half a ton of leaves for a decent watering hole location.
The Measurement of the Plains
Out here, distances are measured in lion‑miles, which are quite different from termite‑miles. Most mammals of the African Plains have worked by this standard for millennia—or so says Babby, the oldest baobab tree, who has seen it all.
A Moment of Mu‑Style Study
In the accompanying Mu animation, we catch a rare glimpse of Mu pausing his studies for a quick, muddy slurp of water. The book is waiting, the sun is shining, and Mu returns almost immediately to the serious business of reading.
“Baby Hippopotamus Constellation” [26th February to 2nd March 2025] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, acrylic & pastels on A3 (42cm x 30cm) 2mm gesso primed wooden board, 5000 x 3529 pixels.
“Baby Hippopotamus Constellation” is a highly textured Impressionist-Surreal painting with an adorable personality.
Can you see the baby Hippopotamus, the Seahorse, the Guide and three other characters?
Five definitive drafts each with important evaluations whilst I painted “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”.
“Guides Head Eye” in “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”
I could publish individual stages of the painting production.
“Seahorse Eye and Gold Whorl” in “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”
Write about the closeup beauty of the piece.
“Gold Whorls Plume with Space Offering” in “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”
Explain how I made this.
“Seahorse Gold Tail Plume” in “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”
Detail my thinking when I first realised a baby hippopotamus looking out from the canvas.
“Guides Head” in “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”
Give reasons why I named these the “Guides Head Eye”, “Seahorse Eye and Gold Whorl”, “Gold Whorls Plume with Space Offering”, “Seahorse Gold Tail Plume”, “Guides Head” and “Gold Whorls Nebula Plume”.
“Gold Whorls Nebula Plume” in “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”
Would you like to make your own version of “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation”?
Hanno
Let’s read about the painting’s main character in… the beginning of the “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation” story..
An Enchanting Tale of Celestial Wonders In the calm twilight of a distant realm, where the sky became fireflies of infinite stars, the legend of the “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation” began to gather fruit into the hearts of humans. This magical story, a tradition through generations, resonates in friendship, sentience and the Unimaginable beauty of the Universe.
The Origin of the Constellation Aeons ago, in a fertile, leafy valley, there lived a baby hippopotamus named Hanno.
Hanno was not an ordinary animal; he was gifted with a ravenous thirst for knowledge and a heart brimming with love for the Unknown. Every night, while the human world slumbered, Hanno mudged to the edge of a river, gazing up at the gleaming sky, pondering about the mysteries that lay beyond.
Determination for the Stars One incredibly unusual night, as young Hanno sound-squeaked to the celestial performance, a meteoric star dashed across the sky, leaving a procession of shimmering light. Filled with an ineffable determination, Hanno decided that he must journey to uncover the secrets of the stars. He uttered an emotional goodbye to his family and friends, promising to return with stories of the cosmic heavens.
Hanno’s journey was filled with supremely physical, emotion-rending challenges. He explored immense forests, mind-boggling grasslands, and skip-swam across vast rapid waters to enter Sub-Sea Lake City. Along the way, he found many creatures who were clearly fascinated by his imaginative adventure.
A wise old Nile Crocodile called Mu, an excitable dray of Bush Squirrels, and a gentle Kudu all joined Hanno, eager to learn about the Unknown to support their new friend.
Climb to the Highest Mud Peak Their journey led them to Matope – the highest mud peak in the land, where the sky seemed within touching distance of our lively Hippo’s nostrils. As they climbed, Hanno’s heart brimmed enthusiastically, knowing hippos usually stay near water and avoid the highest of heights.
Well, they reached the summit plateau of Matope just as the sun meandered below the orangey horizon. At this exact time the sky exploded like fireworks into a symphony of stars.
As Hanno and his friends gazed in delight, the stars began to butterfly-beam an awe-inspiring brilliance. The constellations seemed at play, with a lovely soft, melodic hum filling the air.
Could it be the stars themselves were welcoming our adorable Hanno?
Moment of Revelation In that instant, a radiant reddish orb descended from the deep Universe, bathing Hanno in its incomparable glow.
A voice, kindly and prudent, echoed through the fleeting day-lit night:
“Hanno, your love for the Known, the Unknown and your uniquely inquisitive heart have brought you here. You shall be immortalized among all the galaxies, a symbol of enlightenment and honour for all who consider their heartfelt thoughts upon the night sky.”
As the voice quickened to silence, the stars gathered themselves together, forming the shape of a baby hippopotamus!
Hanno’s friends sang raucously contented in their time-honoured quest, and the valley below lit up with a leafy aura of the new constellation. The Baby Hippopotamus Constellation dazzled brightly, a sign of encouragement and inspiration.
Legacy of Hanno Hanno returned to the valley, greeted lovingly as a hero. He shared the story of their journey and the wisdom they had gained. The creatures of the valley looked up at the night sky with renewed amazement, appreciating their friend Hanno was always watching over them.
Generations passed, yet the legend of the Baby Hippopotamus Constellation endured. Parents told their children about the dreamily brave Hanno, who ventured into the deepest expanse to bring back the happiest light of the joyous stars. And every night, as the baby constellation opened its eyes to the sky, it reminded everyone that the spirit of exploration and the search for new knowledge is timely and boundless.
Your New Beginning This is only the beginning of the “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation” story. As ever and ever there are earnest hearts and dreamers who look up at the night sky, the tale of Hanno will continue to inspire. The stars will always hold secrets waiting to be discovered, and the spirit of a little hippopotamus will forever guide those who seek to explore the wonders of the universe.
So, dear reader, the next time you find yourself gazing up at the stars, remember Hanno’s story. Let it remind you that no dream is too big, no journey too troubling. The stars are within reach if you make the effort to seek them. The Baby Hippopotamus Constellation is a symbol of hope, friendship, and the yearning that exists in the heart of every dreamer.
And thus, the legend lives on, shining wonderfully throughout the artwork of our night sky, gleaning promises of new beginnings and endless discoveries.
[the beginning of the “Baby Hippopotamus Constellation” story outline made using AI with story editing, character creation & development by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.]
The Unfathomable Artist 