― The old man has picked his grandson up to show him the Royal Botanical Gardens. He looks at him from the side as the boy looks around for places to hide, and thinks: it will be a few more years before he’ll begin pitying me. As they walk towards the greenhouse, the man feels the holiness of the site for his people. He looks up in the sky and sees a single bird circle. So much space, and yet he imagines it not lonely up there. He wonders if the birds have ghosts, too, and where they go when they’re dead. He wouldn’t mind joining them when the time has come. The child takes his hand and huddles under the old man’s grey heron wings.
From the new series: 24 faces of the Earth in 24 hours, Christmas Eve. Next stop: Auckland, NZ.
loving these little tales!…..
the last line is AMAZING!….
the symbolism of the heron is so fitting too.. as it represents wisdom and contemplation and as a noble water bird, it goes with the flow~~~~
where to next? ;o)
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did you know the (actual) royal bot gdns were built on top of a holy aboriginal site? next stop is auckland, new zealand. you know, sheep. most of these pieces are autobiographical my nature (or rather, the better ones are). glad you’re enjoying them and thank you for reading & commenting!
i love how the wonder is to whether or not birds have ghosts. really enjoy short pieces like this. thanks for sharing your site
you’re very welcome, jessie, thanks for reading and for sharing yours, which every book lover should know!