Tree Shaker

     A young child was walking through the woods. He came upon a tree so slender he could wrap each hand around its trunk. Even so, he looked up to see it was still quite tall. So he gave it a good shake.
     “I am the wind!” he shouted, “I shake! Shake! Make all the leaves fall down!” He laughed and shouted as he rocked.
     The little tree in his grip sighed and answered, “Swishing, swooshing”. A few yellow leaves drifted down and all about the little boy, much to his delighted satisfaction.
     From that day on, when he walked by that tree on the path he dutifully gave it a good shake. “Swishing, swooshing” said the tree each time.
     But one day the answer was different. “Swishing, swooshing, BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!” said the tree and the bees who were visiting just then.
     “Yikes!” yelped the little boy. He ran away as fast as he could. But he could not run as fast as bees buzz. The bees caught up and delivered two sharp stings to the galloping child. “Ouch! Youch! Mama!” cried the little boy all the way home.
     His Mama made a paste of baking soda and water to smear on his stings. She kissed him gently and asked him if he might figure out some way to make friends with the tree and the bees. The little boy got to thinking. Then he took to walking. He found himself back up the path and standing by the very same tree of bees.
     He rested his hands on the smooth young bark. He looked up to admire the colorful leaves dancing all over the bright sky. It made him blink and smile. He sat down to see if he could catch a glimpse of his own eyelashes blinking. But you might know how tricky that is. First he giggled and then he yawned. Then he fell asleep right there under the gentle hum of bees.
     As he slept he dreamed he was a giant. His footsteps were earthquakes. The wind was in his roar and the wake as he passed you by. The buzzing of bees above our sleeping boy entered his dreams becoming the giant’s windy breathe. The blowing of the wind made the trees dance.
     “I am the wind!” he blustered, “I shake! Shake! Make ALL the leaves fall down!”

COPYRIGHT 2010

Rumpus Publications, 

110 Cedar Ave North, Eatonville, WA 9832

tel: 360/832-8298

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Night Eyes

The saguaro, kings of the desert, were majestic dark shadows all across as far as the little boy could see. The fading light of day was turning all sights from all colors to shades of black and gray. The green and gray giants - all prickles in the blazing light of day - were now reduced to clear-cut silhouettes pointing to the moon. They howled silently.   “Flit! flit! flit!” It was a good game to try to see just one shadow through the car window as they all zoomed past.
     The giant saguaro reminded him very much of camels. As little as he was, he knew a few facts about cactus plants and camels. Both are famous for their ability to take in water when available and store it for later use. Keen. They were both made to keep what they needed most; that which was hardest to find where they lived.

     He had been driving with his folks through the southwestern USA for days, weeks. At the start of the trip it was a shadowy new moon. The second day out there was a tiny brilliant arc of moonlight. If he squinted and stared and believed he could just barely see the dark side of the moon. He called this using his night eyes.

     Every night he noticed a slightly bigger sliver rising. He had never noticed the waxing of the moon so clearly before. It had been there, but he had seldom called on it for friendship as he had on this quiet road trip. By now he was feeling quite fond of the big full moon, even if it did outshine so many stars.

     “Could you help me?” the Moon murmured sadly. “Excuse me?” Naturally, the little boy was a bit startled to be addressed so directly by the Moon.  “I seemed to have lost my friends again. Could you help me find them?” Inquired the Moon.  At this the boy had to grin. But not wanting to hurt the Moon’s feelings he kindly replied, “Why sure. I think I can help.”

     He asked, “Mr. Moon? Have you been looking for them just lately?”. “Well, yes I have. I thought if I borrowed the sun’s light I might find them.” Replied the Moon.  “Silly Moon.” Said the boy, “You must never forget to use your Night Eyes while you are a dark , new moon. Then you will see your starry friends shining all around. When you wait until you are beaming brightly, you outshine everybody near you!”

     “Oh yes! That’s right. It seems every time I am a new moon forget this. Thank you for reminding me. You wouldn’t mind if I need to ask you again sometime?” Asked the shy Moon.  “Not at all.” The little boy nodded and smiled warmly. “But I am traveling now. Will you be able to find me when I am at home?”  “Why sure.” Moon said. “I think I can find you any time any phase.” The moon chuckled at his own moon humor. The boy knew about phases now. So, he got the joke.

     They were to be fast friends from that night and on through many years. They were always there for each other, especially when someone needed a reminder to use their night eyes.

COPYRIGHT 2010

Rumpus Publications,

110 Cedar Ave North, Eatonville, WA 98328

tel: 360/832-8298

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