 |
| Water Lily |
The evening sun hung over the ocean, a water lily was
budding on Lily Pad; The Prophet was preparing seaweed and squib, Octavio had
brought up from the sea.
Octavio dived under Lily Pad and stamped right where The
Child was standing. The Child shifted, sliding past the water lily giggling
merrily.
"Are you dancing, Child?"
 |
| The Child |
"Yes, Prophet. With Octavio. He's under the water
stamping Lily Pad and hitting my feet."
"Oh."
" Want a try it?"
"I'd much rather square dance, Child."
Octavio accelerated his stamping exuberantly, and The Child
hopped and slid shifting toward the Prophet enthused.
"Will you show me how to square dance, Prophet?"
"If you want."
"I want."
 |
| Octavio |
Octavio stopped and came up from under Lily Pad and swam
beside them.
"Prophet?"
"Yes, Child?"
"Is Mr. Whale and Mr. Eagle coming back?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I made them mad when you disappeared."
"Oh."
|
| The Child |
"So are they coming back?"
"We'll see."
"Prophet?"
"Yes, Child?"
"Instead of saying we'll see, tell me."
The Prophet chuckled.
"Dinner's ready. Fresh dandelion salad and squib,
courtesy of Octavio."
"When will you show me how to square dance?"
"Tomorrow, Child. Tonight, I want you to hear your
voice."
They ate in silence, observing the ocean. Afterward, The Child, sitting by the water
lily, opened her mouth and sang out from her heart:
Walk down that lonesome road
All by yourself
Don't turn your head
Back over your shoulder
And only stop to rest yourself
When the silver moon
Is shining high above the
trees,
 |
| The Prophet |
And The Prophet listened with tears in his eyes.
Shalom Aleichem,
 |
| Pat Garcia |
*Lyrics, That Lonesome Road, James Taylor, from the album, Dad Loves His Work, Label:
Columbia/Legacy, 1981.
You're drawing me int deeper. Lovely story. @sheilamgood at Cow Pasture Chronicles
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sheila.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
My daughter told me that she knew "we'll see" really means "no."
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is correct. The old African-American people born in the Deep South used to always say, "We'll see," when they wanted to say No to an inquisitive child. They wanted to spur them on to seek the answer for themselves.
DeleteYou have a very wise daughter. Not very many people know that.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Oh my! The tears caught me. Then I went to the link and that sealed it. I know the end is coming. Sniff sniff
ReplyDeleteYou are such a dear. Sending you a big hug with lots of love.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
And back to you!
DeleteDropping by to say hello! Looking forward to see the complete story! :)
ReplyDeleteAnna
ATSP @ Deeply Shallow
@natzers
Thank you so much.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
And where will the Prophet lead her next? Or is his job nearing the end?
ReplyDeleteThat my dear is a very good question. Thanks for coming by.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Oh, I want to see Octavio square dance!!! That would be a sight worth seeing!
ReplyDelete@Kathleen01930
Meet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge
I think with eight legs he would be a perfect square dancer.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
The child sure is learning to become independent. Good for her. Interesting post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, she is. She has to learn to be independent.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
I think it would be rather hard to square dance on lilly pad. Maybe on whale, if he ever comes back. And brings a few more square dancers. Perhaps Pinocchio and Geppeto.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I really love your sense of humor.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Lovely! I have to say, Jeffrey Scott's comment made me giggle.
ReplyDeleteAwakening Dreams and Conquering Nightmares with a Pen
Be well!
His comment made me burst out in laughter too.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Captivating and absolutely lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna. I will be dropping by your blog.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
'We'll see' means no, a sad fact of life that children learn very quickly. Lovely story and yes, as it nears the end, a sense of sorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I feel a sense of sorrow also even though I know the complete stories will come out in book form. There are so many stories that have not been written in the Challenges, but they will be in the book.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
I too would love to see an octopus square dance! Lovely piece.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Octavio would have any problems square dancing with his eight legs.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
I love the fact that the Prophet knows how to square dance.
ReplyDelete~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Yeah! The Prophet is knowledgeable in all things.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Impeccably done, Patti. Love the soundtrack. Smiling and tears. But, square dancing, hmm.... To each his own. :-)
ReplyDelete