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MEDITATING SQUIRREL 7.27.04
Once upon a time, there was a Squirrel who lived in The Woods. She told herself she could never love humans. She felt too shy and afraid.
Yet this was different. He never moved. He wore a sage green color, like The Woods. His face held a peaceful quietude, as his eyes remained forever closed.
He sat perfectly still, day after day, sitting with his legs crossed and his hands folded in prayer.
One day the Squirrel scampered past the quiet man who sat beneath The Japanese Maple in the garden.
It was a cool summer morning, still quiet and peaceful.
She scampered by and sensed something. There was the scent of water nearby.
The Squirrel stopped with jerking motions, tail twitching, to look. | ||||||||||
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There on the round metal seat, the green man sat. In the seat some water had collected.
She froze. Was it safe? He had never moved before. Her tail twitched nervously, as she looked about, sensing danger.
A few birds twittered in The Woods. Otherwise, all was silent.
She approached the quiet green man, in jerking slow motion, as the smell of water overcame her.
The Squirrel bowed her head to take a sip. It was Delicious! Never before had she tasted such water as this.
Being very thirsty, she heartily drank.
Quiet and still, she stood in front of the praying man in green, with her head bowed. She looked as if he were telling her some secret. Yet, all remained silent. | ||||||||||
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Suddenly, The Squirrel spun around, fully alert, tail twitching, sniffing and poised.
She JUMPED! From railing to tree! From tree to tree she flew! Thump! She hit the ground! Scampering off into The Woods, looking for her breakfast.
For several weeks now she has come here on each and every morning... to bow, to drink, to listen.
And I make sure that each and every time I water the little Japanese Maple in our garden, I also water the sage green Buddha statue sitting next to it, so that some water collects on his round metal tray.
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copyright Anupama Deanne Kallman AHA! STORIES
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