This is totally unpolished, not spellchecked, and is basically torn right out of my BoS. I don't usually write in this style when making entries, but for whatever reason, I felt like telling this particular tale in a storytelling format. Meant to post it up here earlier, but I usually do not use Gaia Online from my home computer. Not sure I like the story-bookish style of this, but... it works in its own way.
Nearing the Dark Moon, Wednesday, May 24th 2006, 1944
The young Witch, after having an unproductive day at work, had the desire to do something more productive with her free time. So she began the battle against Alaria petiolata, better known as Garlic Mustard, an invasive weed which has begun to overtake forest understories and her new host family's garden alike. The Witch could not believe how massive some of the plants were. Never had she seen Garlic Mustard so tall. Some of them had to be more than three feet in height, for they were above her head when she stooped to pull them from the ground.
She pulled the invasive plant from a large garden area in the front yard near a medium sized tree. As she pulled, she noticed a bird sitting in the branches. She didn't now what kind of bird it was, but no matter. She was on a mission. She continued to pull the Garlic Mustard, all the while getting closer to the bird. She expected it to fly away, but it did not. Why? Now, the Witch became curious. She noticed that the bird's tail feathers were very short. The bird must not be able to fly!, the Witch thought. She watched it peacefully for a while, with a sympathetic eye. Surely she must do something. Storms were due in the area and one of Gaia's creatures might not make it through the day.
The Witch went inside and asked her host family if there was a local raptor center that could care for the injured bird. The woman had not heard of any raptor center, but knew of a nature center. The young Witch called the number, but was greeted only by an answering machine. Disheartened, she went back outside to pull more Garlic Mustard. The bird was still there. Surely, there had to be something she could do to help the creature? Even though it is Gaia's way to test her children, it is also Gaia's way to give heailng and aid. Once she had pulled all the mustard near the bird, she decided she would try and help it herself, if the bird allowed. The Witch carefully and submissively moved around to the bird's side. She drew close and slowly reached out a hand to touch it.
As her fingers neared the bird, it wached her with its dark, black eye. It didn't make a move, simply watched. The Witch reasoned that if the bird feared her, it would have skwaked. It sat calmly, watching. Her gloved hand was close now, an inch away. Still the bird remained still. A gloved finger gently brushed the bird's wing feathers. Not long after, something amazing happened. The bird skwaked and took flight! It's flight was labored and difficult, but it made is way to a nearby branch where it perched.
The young Witch was stunned. The bird had no tail feathers... how could it have flown in such a condition? The Witch smiled to herself. The bird had looked helpless, but it was not as helpless as it seemed. Even though it was seriously handicaped, the Witch knew the bird would survive the storm. She knew then that Gaia had presented this to her as a lesson. The bird is a symbol of the vitality and persistence of life; its ability to endure even when faced with challenges.
With that lesson in mind, the Witch bade the bird blessed be, and returned to battling the Garlic Mustard.
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