Letters
from the Plateau, Guardians of the pass…
Story:
I have grown quiet fond of my new friends, the rocks.
Unfortunately, I have yet to master their language.
They have a long way to go before any of their movements can be called
‘emotion’; nevertheless, they have befriended me and I appreciate it.
Better said, they have yet to show signs of aggression and therefore are
my friends.
I’ve used some of my new friends as cover.
Even though I cannot communicate with them, they seem to know I mean them
no harm and therefore readily accept my companionship.
Insomuch, they virtually ignore my close proximity as I hide from a herd
of new creatures which I have yet to devise an appropriate plan to confront
without offending. The new creatures
move with the wind, yet they too have yet to communicate.
Maybe I’m just not seeing it or hearing it?
The larger one is obviously in charge.
I say this because it is always the first to move, followed by smaller
ones. There are other, more agile
creatures who feign indifference while clearing stubble from its path.
Some kind of alms or peace offering I’m sure.
Although I cannot distinguish encroachment, I’m sure these creatures
travel in herds and it appears varied terrain is no obstacle.
Their agility must be impressive when they do travel because I can see
many of them off in the distance standing in very steep ravines and gullies.
Terrain I would have great difficulty traversing.
Furthermore, I’ve yet to see them feed, yet their enormity would
indicate large appetites just to accommodate their girth.
Another day has passed, and the sun has come twice and found me in this
same place. I am waiting for the
creatures to pass, yet they have made little attempt to neither pass nor alter
their course. I am wondering if they
know I am hiding amongst the rocks and if so, are they waiting for me to move
and continue my journey? They appear
to have a very patient and calm outward appearance.
Maybe I have realized the clue after all?
When the sun comes back again, I will stand before them, show myself, and
slowly continue my journey. I will
make no sudden moves or startling sounds. I
will walk toward them and feign indifference, as if nothing is out of the
ordinary. Perhaps they can smell
fear? It’s no matter.
With my friend the sun to give me solace I shall proceed forward with my
head held high. After all, I do not
fear them. Why should I?
Do they even know what malice is? I
may even whistle a few notes to show my confidence.
It would be wonderful if they liked my tunes, one can never have too many
friends. Tomorrow is another day,
but for now I will sleep.
The sun has come. Light and
warmth precede its arrival on the plateau. The
sun is movement without sound. I
feel the warmth before I can see him; even though he casts a golden glow across
the plateau before his arrival. I
think the word ‘arrogant’ is lacking and petty when basking in his grandeur.
He
gives all creatures’ depth and a companion.
Although the companions stand silent and have yet to speak, I know they
must be jealous of the suns’ warmth which they will never feel and the suns’
light which they will never see. I
have tried to step aside quickly to aid their cause, but they always move in the
wrong direction for my ruse to work. These
‘companions’ have a lot to learn.
The guardians I’ve mentioned earlier have not moved in the darkness.
Surely if they had moved during the night I would have heard them?
I have mustered my courage and now stand facing the guardians in the
suns’ light. I don’t blame the
‘rocks’ for not wanting to participate, what have they to gain?
Wish me luck, I whispered to my friends, ‘wish me luck’.
I started down the narrow, winding trail.
Although I was certainly watching my steps so as to not stumble and
appear clumsy in front of those I am trying to impress; I nonchalantly
repeatedly glanced at the large one for any sign of aggression or advancement in
my direction. In my attempt to
appear calm and in charge of the situation my complete disregard for the
condition of the trail may prove my downfall.
The trail had become quite steep, and subsequently my gate had lengthened
to a barely controlled stretch. I
was now covering ground much faster than I had anticipated.
The impression of someone out for a morning stroll and trying to do it in
a nonchalant manner was gone. So
what, so what I thought! Who are
they to dictate my mannerisms? Hell,
I will run downhill if I care to! After
all, I am the one in charge of this situation aren’t I?
I will start whistling to show I can multi-task.
That should impress them! The
wind is in my hair, and the morning air is quite brisk at this pace.
I will continue in this manner, and pass them without even breathing
hard! Hah, I thought, catch me if
you can!
As I flew passed the smaller ones, I dared not look back in their
direction. I whistled and kept my
pace while approaching the larger ones. I
may be mistaken, but they seem to have maneuvered themselves ever-so-slightly so
as to position themselves in my path. Sly
devils I thought, I never saw them move; yet here they stood, right in front of
me! Without even breaking a sweat, I
darted to one side, which to my relief, so had the trail.
I was so fast; they never had a chance to adjust to my crafty agility!
Hah, hah, who’s the sly one now? I
feel like laughing out loud! I have
cleared the herd while moving quite briskly down the hill.
A quick glance back revealed what I had thought all along, I was faster
than they were and insomuch, they could not react fast enough to my wizardry and
lightning like reflexes! I was now
standing on the plateau looking back at the creatures.
Unfortunately, I don’t even think they turned to watch me!
Perhaps like other times, I had misjudged them and misinterpreted their
actions? For a moment I felt very
foolish and sad. I watched as they
danced in the wind, without a care in the world.
Did I dazzle them with my craftiness, or did they simply not care?
I just may have missed a most important lesson.
The patients and gentleness they had afforded me and kindness of their
actions was not unlike other graceful creatures who I share the plateau with.
I then realized just how peaceful they seemed, and now, for the first
time, I am standing downwind of them and can smell their wonderful scent.
One day I will try again. I
have learned something today and will carry it with me always.
Just because you don’t understand or recognize something which is
unfamiliar, do not rush to judgment and assume the worst.
You may find yourself alone at the end of the day.
For lack of a better word, I call these creatures “trees’. RJ