Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Writer's Island #17 - Treasure

The Writer's Island prompt this week is "Treasure".

I've been feeling short stories recently, not sure why. I did another one earlier this week for Sunday Scribblings too. For this, here's:

LIVING

There are days when just rising out of bed is a challenge for him. He struggles with the aches and pains his old body has yet to grow accustomed to. Will it ever? Still, he rises, ready to meet the challenges of a new day. He hasn't spent his 94 years on this earth complaining about a few aches and pains, and he's not about to do so now. There is still so much to see, so much to do, so much life to experience. He dresses as quickly as his hands allow him to, and gathers his hat, his coat, his cane. It is time for his morning walk.

The early morning is his favorite time of day. Before the alarms in the houses next door begin their symphony. Before the hustle and bustle of traffic overtakes the streets. Before the rest of the world awakens to go about their business, there is a serenity he appreciates. He stops to admire a squirrel on his hunt for winter food beneath the snow. Catches a bird here and there and wonders when they stopped moving south for the winter. He can hear, in the distance, tree branches give way beneath the white blanket that covers the world this time of year. God speaks to you in those moments, he thinks. If you listen, you can hear Him tell you stories of the magic in nature.

Reaching the diner on the corner, he steps through the door and takes a seat at his table. Always the first to arrive, his spot reserved in an unspoken agreement with all who frequent the place. "Good morning Charlie", the waitress smiles as she brings him his tea "and how are you today?"

"These legs still walk, these eyes still see," he smiles "everything is as it should be".

She giggles at this, which he tells her each morning. "So it is, Charlie, so it is".

Never ask him if he aches, if he's weary, if he's sad. She has learned, for Charlie knows, it is life, the greatest treasure that he's found.

6 comments:

Preethi said...

Very nicely written... it is so important to celebrate the greatest treasure we all have.. Life..

The treasure

Head Cookie said...

I like this post. It really lets you see that you should seize every opportunity that life presents to you and take advantage of it. Every little thing is indeed a treasure.

Tumblewords: said...

Gosh, I love the way you tell this. It feels like I know Charlie. Nice work! Nice reminder of the value of life...even with the pitfalls!

paisley said...

this was so well told... i really loved it.....

little wing writer said...

this story reminds me of a gentleman i use to see walking everyday...abt the same age...i always admired him for walking everyday...and then one day....i didnt see him anymore...his house went empty...i wished i had sed hello more frequently...every time he passed..thank you for a beautiful tale...

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I particularly love the line about listening to God show you the magic in nature. Too true.