A few years ago, I was speaking about a waterfall i had found on one my walks. And a little person, eyes lit up, can I see the waterfall? Please?
Oh Im not sure, its a very long walk, and your legs are much shorter than mine. Its very steep and there isnt a track.
I can walk very far, I really want to see, Please?
Well, its not just the walk, there is lots of thistles and blackberry. Its rough country...there is long grass and the potential we may see a snake. Well this little person was adamant so I finally agreed. So we set off, and the walk was all down hill, very steep. Everything was great until we started walking back up the hill.
About halfway up this little person was exhausted. She sat down and said i cant keep walking. Im tired, its too hot, the flies are crawling on my face. You have to carry me. I smiled and said, no, I cant carry you, your legs are shorter but you are far too big to carry up this hill. She started to cry, sitting in the dust, and said I want to go home.
Ok. I said to go home we have to get to the very top of this hill, where the car is parked. I can't carry you, so we will sit here until you are ready. Oh no, I cant, you are mean. I want to go home.
What about if I give you a magic wand? Would that help you? She glared at me and said you cant do magic. I smiled and got up.and I found a nice stick, about her height. Here, this can be your magic stick. She wasnt very convinced, doesn't look very magic. I scouted around and found a parrot feather which I slid into the top. There, now its magic. Well. She stood up and grumbling she started walking using the stick to help.
Well we got to the very top, she was a little way infront of me and so proud of herself for walking the whole way. And she said, I know that wasnt magic, but it was pretty cool.
She told that story to a lot of people, and it wasnt the waterfall that was the bit she remembers but the way she found the strength to get back up and keep walking. Sometimes a stick and feather can be exactly what we need.
Thanks for reading.