By Miriam B Medina (c)
It was a radiant morning unfolding when
An old man with a white mustache and short beard
Was seen walking briskly down the long country road
For a moment, astonished, he sat speechless and still;
The panorama below was one of absolute scenic beauty.
A soft wind pushed a few wispy clouds across the blue sky.
The scent of radiant morning flowers was
Everywhere present, he inhaled it deeply.
He observed the continuously changing panoramic river
As he watched the distant mountain-tops catch the first bright beams of the Rising Sun.
He was at peace and happy as he whistled and played his harmonica,
His sandals slapping against the ground.
The winds flowed through his unkempt shoulder length white hair,
Locks and curls blowing around his face in the gentle breeze.
He filled his lungs deeply with the on-rush of scenery;
Wildflowers, mountains, trees... aware of nature's connection, he felt alive
Suddenly in the distance he happened to see a little girl by the wayside,
She looked sad and was crying loudly.
He couldn't bear to see this child in such a state,
His heart was deeply moved.
As he approached her he asked, in a soft gentle voice:
"Little girl, why are you crying? It is such a bright and beautiful day."
The sobbing child paused, looked up, and replied;
I have lost my puppy dog, Mister, I can't find him anywhere.
"He was my best friend," she told him, wiping her eyes.
The old man said "Don't worry; I will help you to find him."
The little girl's eyes lit up. She rushed to the old man,
Giving him a big relieved bear hug.
He reached out for her little hand and held it tight.
As they walked, He asked for the dog's name.
"Angel." said the little girl sweetly.
The old man smiled and replied "What a sweet name,
It has such a splendid sound to it!"
They walked and walked as they called out the name "Angel."
The old man began to say many things about nature
To the little girl, and she became silent with wonder.
His voice now had a strangely soothing effect on her.
He stopped for a moment to contemplate a large green needled tree.
He said to her, "See that tree? Do you know the name of it?"
The little girl answered, "No, I don't."
"It is called a Pine tree," the old man said.
She was so fascinated with his words; the missing dog was temporarily forgotten.
The old man continued to describe the tree in detail
As he eyed it from top to bottom, up and down, down and up...
"Look at this tree," the old man began, "see how she stands so straight, strong and still,
Basking in the warmth of the sun and billowing freely in the air?"
See how her pine needles playfully dance and swirl in the wandering breeze
While her branches swim, sway, and scrape away at the skies?"
"She is relishing a treasured moment of sweet serenity,
Step back and see how the scope of her splendor sprawls against the sky!"
The old man described in detail how this tree protects its environment
Against any supposed danger in a manner so motherly
As her branches swoop down, coddle and caress the ground in a loving way.
Still no response from the lost dog...
They continued to walk as the old man talked about
The blooming flowers with all of their colorful beauty,
The sweetness of the songs of birds, humming and chirping
Swallows fluttering by as they please, and most of all,
The way nature dresses up with ease, trying on colorful fall leaves
Like donning a gown for a ball, or slipping on spring leaves like a new bathing suit.
At that moment the little girl looked thoughtfully at a tall pine tree,
Carefully considering the old man's words.
She lifted one of its branches and saw her puppy dog soundly sleeping,
She let out a yell... "Angel... " and when the dog awoke he began to bark,
Excited, jumping with joy and licking her face.
The little girl turned to thank the old man but he had disappeared.
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