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Blogophilia week 47.7 Topic – Across The Universe
Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2 pts) Incorporate a Taylor Swift lyric:
From “The Outside” ~I didn’t know what I would find
When I went looking for a reason…
(Easy, 1 pt) Use the word “saunter” in your blog
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Whooo
Once upon a time, long ago and
across the universe
there resided an ancient oak tree, long dead to the world but quite alive to the inbetween. Hidden in the trunk of the tree was the ancient of ancients and wisest of wise old owls. Her name was Athena. She was quite beautiful in her stillness, each feather blending perfectly into the ashen colors of faded bark and wood.
A kind fox guarded the tree faithfully keeping watch through wind, water, sleet and snow. Zen-like in his silence and calm. At some point betwixt space and time an unfamiliar creature came
sauntering down the snowy path, it appeared to be a human child.
“Hello,” called the wide-eyed child to the fox. “Aren’t you cold?”
The snow covered fox shook his head and remained silent. Noting the layers of fluff and wool wrapping the small boy. The little boy gingerly removed his blue knit scarf and placed it around the fox’s neck. The fox was both surprised and warmed by the gesture.
“My name is Jamie. What shall I call you?”
The fox shook his head to loosen the scarf a little and rid himself of fallen snow. Jamie looked up to the tree and stared. “Is that an Owl?”
“Hello Owl!” called Jamie moving closer to the tree. Snowflakes settled on his long dark eyelashes as he continued to stare.
The owl blinked down at the child.
“I didn’t know what I would find when I went looking for a reason.”
The owl and the fox were now curious, what sort of reason was the child looking for?
“Owl,” called the boy. “I think you are the reason. Will you let me inside your tree?”
Just how did the boy know there was an inside to the tree, the Owl and the fox were quite surprised.
The boy knocked on the wood beneath the beautiful Owl. An echo resounded with continuous tones like music.
“Knock knock,” smiled the boy, “Who’s there?”
Suddenly an array of lavender butterflies came floating up from one of the knots in the tree, they danced close to the boy’s face and
began to circle him in figure eights. This is when the boy knew he had surpassed reason and moved into the realm of hope.
“Aww, you will let me in won’t you?” Jamie pleaded calmly. “I know this is where I’m meant to be. Where I’ve come from.”
Suddenly the fox and the owl understood. This was no ordinary child. They glanced at one another and decided, yes they would let him enter the tree, they would allow him to return to his rightful place.
The Owl slowly moved her wings from their frozen place and fluttered them fiercely, the snow that was falling became a swirling storm and the butterlies took hold of the branches, bracing themselves. The fox shut his eyes and remained very still. Within a moment a door was revealed, and then with a creak it slightly opened.
“Oh Thank you Majesty Owl.” The boy was delighted, he turned to the fox and bowed with gratitude. “Thank you kind fox.”
The Fox nodded and watched the boy disappear into the tree, he could hear feint echoes of greeting and then the door disappeared as the Owl resumed her place in the tree.
Soon all was quiet, the snow stopped falling, the crocus began to wake, and the fox was bathed in the first light of a new Spring.
~written by Christine Wichman c. January 17, 2015
Sleeping Queen Publications 