[Critique Group 1] February Submission 550 Words

[Deanna Noriega]

Sharing Your Gifts

 

Small rabbit crouched in the tall grass near the crest of a knoll.  He could
see a long way across the prairie.  He watched some antelope race off in the
distance.  He said to himself, "Oh how swift and beautiful they are!  I wish
I were an antelope!"

 

He saw a bear tearing apart a cottonwood log looking for grubs.  "Oh, to be
a bear would be fine!  He is so strong and so big.  He doesn't have to hide
from eagle in the grass.  He isn't afraid of coyote!  I would love to be a
bear!"

 

Grandmother spider paused in her work and said softly, "Little rabbit,
little rabbit, you are as the great mystery has made you.  Listen and I will
tell you a story."  This is the tale she told little rabbit.

 

A doe moved softly along the trail down the side of a mountain.  The dust
was thick beneath her hooves.  The sun beat down making her thirsty.  When
she came to the stream, she found it dry.  She gave a mournful little sigh.


 

Bear looked up from where he was trying to find berries among the dry
thirsty vines, and grunted his agreement with doe's disappointment.  

 

Thunder bird was perched high on a Craig above them.  He spread his great
wings, enjoying the feel of the heat on his powerful body.  He heard their
mournful sounds and took pity.  It was selfish of him to bask in the
sunlight while his brother and sister below suffered thirst.  He decided
that he must leave the place where he rested to bring the storm with rain to
fill the creek so that all might drink.  

 

When the flash of the lightning.  Lit up the sky, bear saw Butterfly
trembling in fear on the edge of a withered leaf.

 

"I can't fly when it rains and the drops will damage my delicate wings," she
cried.

    "Don't be afraid little one, the rain is a good thing and will make the
leaves fresh for your young to eat.  It will make the berries sweet and full
of juice for me.  More flowers will bloom for you to drink their nectar.  I
am very strong and cast a large shadow.  Shelter beneath me until this
passes and wait for the sun to return." he instructed.

Doe offered, "Once the rain has passed, I will carry you to a high meadow
where the new flowers will spring up after the rain.  You can dance on the
soft summer breezes and bring delight to my fawn who will be amazed by your
bright colors. He will think that a flower has learned to fly and he will
laugh with joy at the thought of such a wonder."

    So it is when we look beyond our own troubles and offer help to one
another.  That which is good for one can be good for all if each is willing
to share their gifts and look beyond what is good for themselves alone.

 

                "So my foolish child, you must think what gifts you have and
use them wisely because there is a place for you in the dance we call life.
A place that can only be filled by you and that calls for the very gifts you
have been given.  

 

 

DeAnna Quietwater Noriega

Cell: 573-544-3511

Email:  <mailto:dqnoriega at gmail.com> dqnoriega at gmail.com

Author of Fifty Years of Walking with Friends

https://www.dldbooks.com/dqnoriega/

 

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