a new journey ...

It was sunny in the meadow, almost spring, her favorite time of year. She sat alone upon her often-visited rock watching a small honeybee circle and then land in the center of a wildflower. “Little bee,” she asked, “Do you ever wonder why you are a bee?” But the bee didn’t answer. Well, maybe it did, but she didn’t hear it. She was off the rock and halfway across the meadow when the bee began to buzzzzzz. She ran and skipped, keeping time with the fidgety raccoons and whistling birds until she came upon an old, weathered tree trunk. She may have missed the browning chameleon had it not been frightened by her footsteps and jumped to take cover. She spotted the tiny creature, no bigger than her hand, as its sides moved slowly in and out with each breath. “Little chameleon,’ she asked, “Do you ever wonder why you are a chameleon?” But she didn’t expect the chameleon to answer and turned to follow a path before the creature commenced to ssssssay. She followed the path as it narrowed and twisted for what seemed like a very long way. The sky began to darken and the breeze, sweeping her cheeks, painted them a rosy pink. Just as she thought to turn and head back, she noticed a clearing ahead, partially lit, and felt the air begin to warm as she neared. When she got to the clearing, she saw a fire crackling in front of a dark and mysterious cave. There was someone sitting at the fire. She stood very still staring at the person and the warm flame. The person wore a long robe with a hood and blew a tune through a wooden reed. She knew the tune well, for she had made it up during her long walks in the meadow. She knew there could be just one other person who also knew the tune and that someone was Only. She listened as Only played on and motioned her to come closer. Feeling like a small child, she was hoisted up and into a soft and comfortable lap. She could feel Only’s heart as it beat against her back, pumping life into her very being. When the music stopped, she turned and, looking into Only’s face, asked, “How do you know my song?” Only looked long and far into her eyes and answered, “I’ve been singing it to you since the day you were born.” Raising a hand to her forehead Only made a sign and gently sealed it with a kiss. Lifting her to her feet, Only directed, “Go, my child, and be.” It was sunny in the meadow, almost spring, her favorite time of year. She sat upon her often-visited rock watching a tiny chameleon, its sides moving slowly in and out with each breath, as it sat upon her lap.