The Sparrow and the Swan flew over dales and streams. They stopped to talk with clouds and stars. Off they went to find the treat the Swan's Kookaburra so loved. Three days passed some in silence and others in whispered dreams. Finally they came upon a gum tree in a large garden and apple orchard. The Sparrow being smaller took the tiny bottle the Swan had tied around her neck. The sap poured from the tree and filled the bottle almost instantaneously. They glanced around the garden when the two finished their task. The Sparrow wanted to stay forever but the Swan was anxious to get back. So they went to the sky and flew home in one night's time. The Sparrow's heart whispered to the sleeping Swan I'll always love you.
There was thirty-seven stone steps to my room. Inside was nothing to report but silence. There was no one there to wait for me nor would there ever be. So I spent time away. Ivan never minded. I wiled hours away troweling and grooming. He spoke with me of my brother and his family. The days we were quiet I saw something in his eyes that reminded me of myself and that is when I knew Ivan would become my best friend.
And the next day the Sparrow helped her woo the lovely kookaburra. It was a bittersweet happiness for the Sparrow to see the Swan so delighted. But she kept her word and stayed the loyal friend who whispered always I'll love you to the slumbering swan.
I remember being nervous and anxiously clutching my schedule. I was late for Care of Magical Creatures which was taught by one of my older brother's friends. I scuttled down the grassy knoll the castle peering imposingly over me. I suppose shock would be the wrong choice of words. I just never seen so much pink on a man before…. He instantly loved me.
The students sat in a circle in front of what appeared to be a roughly hewn hut. A man in flamingo pink and what looked like a fisherman's hat made of iridescent materials stood in between the students and the hut. "Oh like hello!" I blinked. Did he just said like? "Hello sir, sorry I am late…" But he was already waving for us all to follow him behind the wooden structure.
They were lovely piercingly golden creatures brayed before the class. The instructor grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the smallest one. Almost lovingly he guided my hand to pet it.
"Unicorns are so lovely aren't they?" I nodded and the day that followed was a blur.
The Swan told the Sparrow she had feelings but was conflicted. The Sparrow understood the Swan needed a friend as the other swans were not quite as nice to her Swan. Besides the Swan love the Kookaburra the most didn't she? And so they continued their friendship in a circle like they always had. Talk and eat. Goodbye only until tomorrow. This is how they lived. This is how the Sparrow felt it was meant to be even as her heart quietly whispered to the Swan I'll love you always.
